André Jonas Vladimir Paraison: A Haitian National Police Veteran Faces the Test of General Directorate
By Gesly Sinvilier · Port-au-Prince
· 4 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Laurent St Cyr's first decision as president of the National Transition Council was the revocation of Rameau Normil as director general of the national police. His replacement by André Jonas Vladimir Paraison inaugurates a new era for the Haitian National Police. Le Relief paints a portrait of the new director general of Haiti's police force.
The appointment, on August 8, 2025, of André Jonas Vladimir Paraison as interim Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH) comes amidst an acute security crisis. The Presidential Transition Council, coordinated by Laurent Saint-Cyr, removed Rameau Normil to entrust the reins of the institution to this high-ranking officer, known for his proximity to the field and his operational experience.
A Long Career in the Ranks of the Haitian National Police
A native of Jacmel, Paraison joined the Haitian National Police in its early promotions and held several strategic positions. He served as commissioner in charge of the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), Departmental Director for the North in Cap-Haïtien where he supervised the creation of a bicycle brigade in 2014, and coordinator of the National Palace security system under the presidency of Jovenel Moïse.
Under the presidency of Michel Martelly, he was one of the main architects behind the creation of the BOID (Departmental Operation and Intervention Brigade), a rapid intervention unit. More recently, he took the initiative to establish the UTAG (Anti-Gang Tactical Unit), aimed at more effectively combating armed groups. Behind the scenes, Prime Minister Didier Fils Aimé also entrusted him with the leadership of a Task Force responsible for developing new operational approaches to combat gangs. His career is also marked by international experience: he attended military school in Ecuador and Chile, and underwent numerous specialized training courses in the United States. In the field, he was wounded in the leg during an operation against armed gangs. This, in public opinion, reinforced his image as a commander exposed to the same dangers as his men. Controversies and Gray Areas Paraison's career has not been without controversy. In 2018, while he was head of security for the National Palace, an arrest warrant was issued against him as part of an investigation into arms trafficking related to alleged events dating back to 2016. This case, which led him to resign from his post, was ultimately dismissed in May 2019 due to insufficient evidence. For his detractors, this episode remains a shadow on his record; for his supporters, it rather illustrates the rivalries and power struggles that permeate the Haitian National Police and the political sphere. A Divided Public Opinion Paraison's arrival at the head of the Haitian National Police elicits mixed reactions. His supporters present him as a seasoned professional, capable of “changing the side of fear” as he stated during his inauguration speech. They see his knowledge of the field, his operational background, his tactical innovations (BOID, UTAG), and his international training as assets to regain the initiative against armed gangs. Meanwhile, his critics fear that his past ties with certain political circles may limit his independence and hinder the institution's purification. This appointment comes in a climate where the Haitian National Police is widely perceived as powerless to protect the population against the growing grip of armed gangs. This fuels general skepticism. Immense Expectations and a High-Risk Mission The challenges awaiting Paraison are considerable. In a country where large portions of the territory escape state control, he will have to:
Under the presidency of Michel Martelly, he was one of the main architects behind the creation of the BOID (Departmental Operation and Intervention Brigade), a rapid intervention unit. More recently, he took the initiative to establish the UTAG (Anti-Gang Tactical Unit), aimed at more effectively combating armed groups. Behind the scenes, Prime Minister Didier Fils Aimé also entrusted him with the leadership of a Task Force responsible for developing new operational approaches to combat gangs. His career is also marked by international experience: he attended military school in Ecuador and Chile, and underwent numerous specialized training courses in the United States. In the field, he was wounded in the leg during an operation against armed gangs. This, in public opinion, reinforced his image as a commander exposed to the same dangers as his men. Controversies and Gray Areas Paraison's career has not been without controversy. In 2018, while he was head of security for the National Palace, an arrest warrant was issued against him as part of an investigation into arms trafficking related to alleged events dating back to 2016. This case, which led him to resign from his post, was ultimately dismissed in May 2019 due to insufficient evidence. For his detractors, this episode remains a shadow on his record; for his supporters, it rather illustrates the rivalries and power struggles that permeate the Haitian National Police and the political sphere. A Divided Public Opinion Paraison's arrival at the head of the Haitian National Police elicits mixed reactions. His supporters present him as a seasoned professional, capable of “changing the side of fear” as he stated during his inauguration speech. They see his knowledge of the field, his operational background, his tactical innovations (BOID, UTAG), and his international training as assets to regain the initiative against armed gangs. Meanwhile, his critics fear that his past ties with certain political circles may limit his independence and hinder the institution's purification. This appointment comes in a climate where the Haitian National Police is widely perceived as powerless to protect the population against the growing grip of armed gangs. This fuels general skepticism. Immense Expectations and a High-Risk Mission The challenges awaiting Paraison are considerable. In a country where large portions of the territory escape state control, he will have to:
- Regain lost ground against armed gangs;
- Restore trust between the population and the Haitian National Police;
- Strengthen internal discipline and training;
- Modernize logistical and intelligence capabilities;
- Ensure coordination with international partners as part of external security support.
