Main Theme: "Police Reform and Transformation for Citizen Security with Social Participation"
Location: Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Organized by: Ministry of Interior and Police of the Dominican Republic and the OAS
Date: July 16–17, 2025
What is MISPA?
MISPA is the region's main political forum dedicated exclusively to public security.
It brings together public security ministers from across the Americas to exchange ideas, promote joint solutions, and strengthen regional cooperation to improve citizen safety.
Launched in 2008, MISPA has become the top regional coordination space for addressing public security challenges such as crime prevention, violence, policing, citizen participation, and international cooperation.
MISPA is backed by the Organization of American States (OAS).
Why is MISPA important?
It allows countries to work together and share experiences to improve public safety, prevent crime, and strengthen police institutions with a human rights-based approach.
It helps drive real change: less violence, more trust in the police, and better tools to confront crime, including cybercrime.
Key Achievements Driven by MISPA:
1. Homicide reduction in countries with police reform (e.g., Dominican Republic):
MISPA I promoted integrated security management; MISPA VII reinforced the need for modern police reform.
The Dominican Republic applied reforms like police professionalization and community-based policing, lowering the homicide rate to 8.42 per 100,000 in 2025.
Impact: Less violence, safer neighborhoods, lives saved.
2. Creation and strengthening of community policing models:
MISPA III established community participation as a public security pillar; MISPA VII promoted trust-based strategies.
Countries like Ecuador, Peru, and the Dominican Republic now have community police units.
Impact: More trust in police, greater crime reporting, active cooperation.
3. Promotion of police development and professionalization:
MISPA promoted police education based on democratic principles.
The OAS Department of Public Security (DPS) has trained over 4,450 officers from 31 states through the Inter-American Network for Police Development (REDPPOL).
The DPS also helped implement ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems in nine police institutions.
Impact: Fewer abuses, stronger public trust, rule of law reinforced.
4. Improved international cooperation against organized crime:
MISPA IV and VII pushed for information sharing and best practices.
Regional cooperation networks were launched to combat transnational criminal groups.
The DDOT also implements the Hemispheric Strategy on Transnational Organized Crime.
Impact: Greater ability to capture criminals who operate across borders.
5. Better emergency and security services:
After MISPA VII, the Inter-American Community on Emergency and Security Systems was launched as a virtual support hub.
The DPS published the region's first guide for establishing and strengthening emergency systems.
Impact: Better public policies, increased cooperation, real benefits for citizens.
MISPA VIII Objectives:
Advance deep reforms and transformation of police institutions to improve training, community connection, and responsiveness.
Promote new strategies to address the rising threat of cybercrime.
Strengthen citizen security through better regional cooperation, comprehensive public policies, and strong collaboration among all stakeholders.
Generate regional agreements to share best practices and face common threats together.
Expected Outcomes:
Concrete commitments from countries to implement real reforms.
Effective regional cooperation against organized crime and cybercrime.
Consolidation of a citizen security model that protects rights and builds public trust.
Reference: S-016/25
