In 2011, Honduras had the highest homicide rate in the world at 86.5 per 100,000 inhabitants (UNAH 2025). Criminal groups and forms of criminal governance were entrenched in certain geographical areas (“pockets”), and public institutions were exposed to “sustained high fragility” (OECD 2025). In 2011, the IDB began supporting Honduras’ citizen security agenda and National Police reform, addressing the security institutions’ capacity to design and implement crime reduction policies. Since then, three investment loans have contributed to a significant reduction in crime, addressing a range of elements including effective law enforcement, robust crime investigation capacity, and prevention programs to address the root causes of crime.
First, the Program to Support the Implementation of the Comprehensive Policy for Coexistence and Citizen Security (HO-L1063) modernized the training system for police officers to support crime prevention and resolution. The Police Technical Institute was designed, built, and equipped with the capacity to train 2,400 new police officers per year. In addition, the standards for new police officers were raised, requiring at least a high school diploma, and extending the training period from three to 11 months. In addition, criminal investigation capacity was strengthened by training technicians in 10 different specialties and equipping the criminal investigation laboratory in San Pedro Sula (one of the main pockets of fragility, conflict, and violence in the country at the time). The enhancements to the criminal investigation laboratory enabled it to better analyze forensic evidence and process crime scenes, helping increase the accuracy and efficiency of criminal investigations. A second laboratory was built in Tegucigalpa with national funds and equipped with the IDB’s support.
The initial loan was complemented by the Program for Citizen Coexistence and Neighborhood Improvement (HO-L1187), which improved the quality of life in vulnerable neighborhoods and reduced violent crime rates. The program increased police coverage by constructing and equipping three modern metropolitan police stations in Olanchito, Las Vegas, and Tela, as well as the departmental police station in Intibucá. In addition, in partnership with the Swiss Cooperation, the police stations in Choluteca, Nacaome, and Belén were remodeled to include specialized modules to address domestic and gender-based violence. A practical training facility was also built in La Paz to continue strengthening police operational capabilities.
These investments led to significant achievements from 2011 to 2023, including:
- Reduction in the homicide rate: The homicide rate in Honduras decreased by 64 percent, from 86.5 to 31.1 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Reduction in violent deaths of women: The femicide rate decreased by 38 percent, from 12.3 to 7.6 per 100,000 women.
- Increased citizen trust: Trust in the police improved by 68 percent.
- Reduction in the cost of crime: The cost of crime decreased from 6.5 percent of GDP in 2014 to 3.8 percent in 2022.
- Enhanced police training: 7,350 new officers graduated from the revamped training system, contributing to a more professional and community-oriented police force.
- Increased female representation: The National Police of Honduras now has one of the highest percentages of female officers in Latin America, at 25 percent.
In 2023, a third loan (HO-L1227) was approved that aims to further contribute to reducing crime rates by improving the strategic management system of police human resources and modernizing the educational system for officers. This includes the construction of the National Police Academy. These continued efforts focus on police training, career development, violence prevention, criminal investigation, and the expansion of territorial coverage, all of which are critical to address the country’s security challenges.
The IDB’s support for strengthening citizen security management in Honduras and modernizing the capacity of the Ministry of Security and the National Police of Honduras, is emblematic in several aspects. It represents the most systematic governmental effort over time, generating conditions for sustained and progressive declines in crime trends and rates, developing capacity for security management, and expanding service coverage and quality.
These programs have benefited from synergies with other partners, including the Swiss Cooperation, the United States, and Colombia on technical matters, which has been key to their success. In addition, the Swiss Cooperation has contributed to develop police training content based on international best practices, citizen-centered police action, and the development of service portfolios with an emphasis on vulnerable populations.
The main success of the IDB-supported reform of the National Police of Honduras has been the professionalization of its human resources by improving the police education system from the agent to officer level, including the promotion and professionalization courses. These investments have also contributed to the dignification of the police and the improvement of the services provided to citizens. Sustained support from a range of partners and effective coordination were important factors in this success. Nevertheless, challenges remain to continue reducing crime and violence through evidence-based strategies for greater sustainability of the results achieved. These include the need to ensure long-term budgetary support for critical resources and the sustained building of trust between police and citizens.
The IDB’s experience and lessons learned in Honduras, alongside its experience in other countries, were key to developing the IDB Group’s first Fragility Conflict and Violence Framework and strengthening its commitment to address criminal violence in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this case, continuous investments over more than 13 years have been important in strengthening the Ministry of Security, reforming the National Police, and contributing to significant advances in key security indicators. While this work was focused on the public sector, a programmatic approach also means articulating public and private interventions to bring greater value.
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