The Nicaragua Police Force was established by the joint efforts of Cuban Government and Panamanian National Guard. Following the failure of the National Guard to control anarchy after the collapse of the Somoza administration in 1979, the need was felt to set up a national police force in Nicaragua.
The national security of Nicaragua after the failure of Somoza administration was provided by the National Guard, FSLN and Sandinista Defense Committees. But all these agencies were plagued with corruption and mismanagement. The Nicaraguan police force was introduced to replace these agencies. The police cadets were given eight months of rigorous training including military training. Cuban Government and the Panamanian National Guard offered a security training program which helped to develop an efficient Nicaragua Police force. The Sandinista Police formed a military type governing body. Different divisions of Nicaragua Police force took charge of public safety, traffic, surveillance, prisons, legal processing and so on.
The police cadets and officers were provided with military training as they were supposed to be active during a national emergency. Other than combating street crime, the police of Nicaragua also launched campaigns against alcoholism, prostitution and so on by enforcing public welfare law and morality. As soon as they were granted permission to arrest “known delinquents” the crime rate was reduced. The Revolutionary Vigilance Patrols helped to reduce the crime rate.
Nicaragua Police came under the supervision of Ministry of government. Human rights violation charge has been brought against the Nicaragua police force several times. A Civil Inspection Unit was set up in 1991 to look into such allegations. But it can be said that the overall performance of the Nicaraguan police force has been laudable as this body has successfully reduced the crime rates in the country.
Nicaragua police emergency number is 118.
