Police officers Serge Édouard Muscardin, Oberde Joseph, Ricardo Anglade, and Nexbertso Déjean, held in isolation since April 14, were released this Tuesday. Their arrest, described as “illegal and arbitrary” by their brothers-in-arms, provoked anger among their colleagues. To protest, police officers led a mobilization movement that sowed chaos on Monday, April 27, 2026, in several Delmas thoroughfares, paralyzing traffic for much of the day.
“The four police officers who had been placed in custody at the Delmas police station have been released. They are currently at the Inspector General’s office, pending the finalization of the documents necessary for the implementation of precautionary measures, an administrative procedure aimed at provisionally sanctioning civil servants in the event of an alleged violation of administrative principles or rules,” announced Mathieuny Sidel, spokesperson for the National Union of Haitian Police Officers (SYNAPOHA).
“However, the question remains: did these four agents actually commit a violation of administrative principles? According to their own statement, it is precisely this absence of proven fault that leads them to demand their prior release as well as the return of their service weapons. This situation is a case that the SYNAPOHA team is following closely, while warning against any attempt to expel these police officers from the police institution,” the unionist specified.
Following the protest movements by the agents, the Haitian National Police (PNH) clarified the reasons for the isolation of the officers. In a statement published on social media, the institution provided details on the situation of these agents, while issuing a firm call for discipline and a return to calm. According to the PNH, the four officers who were placed in isolation were done so as part of an investigation conducted by the PNH Inspector General (IGPNH), due to acts committed in violation of the institution’s laws and regulations. “The Haitian National Police (PNH) informs the population that four police officers have been placed in isolation as part of an investigation conducted under the direction of the Inspector General, due to the facts alleged against them. This concerns several actions committed in violation of the laws and regulations of the police institution,” the PNH had explained in the statement.
The high command asserted that these measures were taken in strict compliance with internal procedures, with an objective of transparency and discipline. “The High Command of the PNH took these steps with the aim of strengthening the population’s confidence in its police force and improving the image of the institution,” the press release highlighted. In the face of Monday’s protest movement, which saw barricades and burning tires blocking traffic at Delmas 33 and Delmas 31, the Directorate General wished to recall the foundations of the institution. The PNH emphasized that it is a hierarchical institution, whose rules apply to all its members without exception. It also reaffirmed the formal prohibition of using the institution’s equipment to disturb public order.
“The PNH also recalls that the PNH is a hierarchical and disciplined institution, functioning on the basis of principles and mandatory rules for all its members, without exception. Every police officer has the obligation to respect them, notably the formal prohibition of using the institution’s equipment and materials to commit dishonest acts in the street, likely to disturb public order,” the police institution warned. Faced with this situation, the Directorate General had issued a call to the population to keep their calm, and asked all police officers to remain at their posts to ensure the normal continuity of services.
In an unequivocal tone, the institution specified that it would only recognize as police officers those agents in uniform, regulated, and clearly identified. “The Haitian National Police specifies that it only recognizes as police officers those agents in uniform, regulated, and clearly identified; any person wearing a hood and carrying a firearm, sowing disorder in the streets, will be considered an individual liable to the sanctions provided for by law,” the statement clarifies.
An IGPNH investigation at the origin of the detention
On Magik 9, this Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Lionel Lazarre, one of the PNH spokespersons, provided more details on the reasons for the officers’ detention. This incident follows a kidnapping alert broadcast on PNH communication channels. The four agents allegedly intercepted a vehicle which, according to their hierarchical superior at the West I Departmental Directorate (DDO1), Yvon Cantave, did not match the reported vehicle. It was actually a vehicle belonging to the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), whose occupants were Salvadoran nationals. The officers concerned allegedly had heated exchanges with their superior, followed by the use of their service weapons in a public space despite orders from their superiors,” explained the spokesperson, specifying that a report was drawn up and that three days after the incident, the agents were referred to the PNH Inspector General for administrative follow-up.
Citing the Director General of the PNH, Mr. Lazarre affirmed that no abuse will be committed against the agents, while recalling that they must adopt exemplary behavior.
