Since 1903, when separated from Colombia, Panama is an Independent Republic and a Sovereign State. Its first president, Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero, under pressure from the United States consul and the commercial bourgeoisie, ended up dissolving the national army and handing over its weapons to the North American army. With the few officers remaining on active duty, he formed a Military Police Corps with very limited functions and little deterrent. Crises like Coto's, in 1921, found the armed body practically defenseless, and it was only thanks to the leadership qualities of Porras and the patriotism of Panamanians that the population is organized so that, in support of its Public Force, go to the border with Costa Rica in defense of its territory. The great world economic crisis of 1929 caused a series of disorders in his public and private life in Panama, even reducing his police force to just 200 members. This made it easier for their barracks to be looted and their documentation destroyed by groups led by some politicians of the time. In 1935, Colonel Manuel Pino totally restructured the National Police, providing it with a solid and stable framework, managing to discipline the country, conferring a mystique on the men who make up the units, and even reaching a budget for the National Police. In 1947 Colonel José Antonio Remón Cantera, who with patriotism and great efficiency, put order in the country assumes the leadership of the National Police. Subsequently, he was elected President of the Republic, and in his period Law No. 44 of December 28, 1953 was promulgated, which changes from the National Police to the National Guard, proceeding to structure a modernization plan and greater professionalism for its members, which it included sending numerous officers to specialize abroad. On January 2, 1955, Remón Cantera was assassinated within the framework of a political conspiracy, and General Bolívar Vallarino was appointed as Chief of the National Guard. On October 11, 1968, the National Guard staged a coup d'etat against the newly established government of Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid, and Colonel Aristides M. Hassán was appointed Commander in Chief. Then, General Omar Torrijos Herrera, as Head of State, assumes command. Torrijos died in a plane crash on the Marta de Coclé hill on July 31, 1981. He is succeeded by Colonel Florencio Flórez Aguilar, General Rubén Darío Paredes Del Río, and General Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno. Through Law 20 of September 29, 1983, the structures on which the organization and operation of the Defense Forces of the Republic of Panama were based were created. As a result of the North American invasion of December 20, 1989, the new government organized the Panamanian State Public Force, with the mission of providing protection to the life, honor and property of nationals wherever they are and of foreigners under the jurisdiction of its territory. Colonel Roberto Armijo was appointed to the position of police chief. Currently from 2019 to 2024 Commissioner Jorge Miranda Molina, assumed the position as Director General of the National Police, on July 4, 2019, in the first simultaneous change of command ceremony chaired by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen.
Structure
The Panamanian National Police are structured para-militarily. Police stations are present in every district, and the country as a whole is divided into Zonas Policialesmajor city or province. Sworn offices are consist of following ranks:
Director Level: Deputy Director General, Director General.
Equipment
Vehicles
The police in Panama have numerous vehicles at their disposal. The police recently went through a livery change from white with blue trim to a navy blue/ white color, which in the dark can seem like a black- and- white.
