Dominican Republic Hosts First Caribbean International Police Games

The Dominican Republic has become the first Caribbean nation to host the IV World Police Games, an international sporting event organized by the Union Sportive Internationale de la Police (USIP). President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the competition on Monday at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, marking a significant milestone for the country’s role in global security cooperation. Source: El Día

The event brings together more than 600 police athletes from 32 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. While one outlet initially cited 460 athletes from 31 nations, subsequent reports confirmed the higher figure of over 600 participants from 32 delegations, reflecting the scale of international participation. Source: Diario Libre; Source: Hoy

Competitions span seven disciplines: practical shooting (IPSC), 10-kilometer running, judo, swimming, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, and golf. These events are distributed across three main venues: Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, and Cap Cana. The games run through October 30, with practical shooting leading in international interest, featuring shooters from 21 countries. Source: Hoy; Source: El Día

Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful emphasized that the games serve a dual purpose: promoting physical discipline among officers and fostering international police cooperation. She noted that these interactions help institutions collaborate more effectively on cross-border crimes. Source: Diario Libre

Mohammed Al-Dhaheri, president of the USIP, praised the Dominican government for its hospitality and organizational efforts. He highlighted that the games transcend sport, offering a platform for officers to build friendships and strengthen institutional ties. Source: El Día

This edition follows previous hosts including Bogotá (2015), Abu Dhabi (2017), and Milan (2019). The Dominican National Police, led by Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García, worked closely with the Ministry of Sports and other entities to ensure logistical success, including athlete accommodation at the Dominican Olympic Village. Source: Diario Libre