Insights

In this 'Focus' series, we share stories from places where DCAF has helped bring about meaningful and sustainable change. Our second example is Honduras, where we have supported the National Police in its transformation.

We greatly appreciate the accompaniment provided by DCAF and their commitment to the Honduran Security agencies to maintain efficiency in their work and to strengthen citizen confidence. - Director Directorate of Police Disciplinary Affairs

Since 2018, with the support of Swiss funding, DCAF has supported the Honduran National Police (HNP) with its ongoing transformation from a militarized force to a modern service grounded in international policing standards.

In response to past criticisms about excessive use of force, DCAF supported the HNP to update its community policing model and produce a new use-of-force manual that was adopted into legislation and the standard training curriculum.

These measures have given police officers clear guidelines for their behaviour and improved public confidence. The HNP has adopted community surveys to monitor its progress and by 2024 had already found a reduction in observations of physical mistreatment by police and an increase in citizen confidence with police performance.

Photo:  Honduran National Police

“Thanks to DCAF, we have improved our internal processes to give a better response to the citizens,” said Silvia Marcela Amaya Escoto, Executive Director of Interdisciplinary Affairs of the HNP. “And at same time we have improved our external communication so that the citizens know better what we do, and now they have ways to report bad police practices.” Evidence shows that greater accountability improves public confidence in policing which can, in turn, help mitigate criminal activity and reduce recidivism.

We have improved our internal processes to give a better response to the citizens. - Silvia Marcela Amaya Escoto, Executive Director of Interdisciplinary Affairs of the HNP

DCAF also supported the HNP to shift its culture toward a more gender-equal institution. This included a gender self-assessment and the creation of its first-ever Gender Policy. The policy was underpinned by a new Gender Equity Diploma at the Police University, and annual public campaigns promoting International Women’s Day and advocating for the elimination of violence against women.

Photo: Honduran National Police

These efforts sent a strong signal both to the public, and to the officers themselves. One of the results is a change in the perception of the police as an attractive employment option for women. Though women made up only 25% of National Police officers in 2024, over 60% of new recruits entering the police academy were women, a promising sign that efforts to be more inclusive are successful.

DCAF’s programme in Honduras concluded in 2024 but its impact will continue to be felt through the integration of public trust, greater accountability, and gender equality as central pillars of the HNP’s 2025 - 2030 Strategic Plan.