A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for password policy enforcement in a distributed directory when policy information is distributed. When a proxy server is providing a request from a client to a backend directory server, the proxy server performs a series of LDAP operations on a targeted set of backend directory servers to collect password policy information applicable to a target user. The password policy information applicable to the target user is partitioned and distributed across the plurality of backend directory servers. When the password policy information for the target user has been collected, the proxy server evaluates the collected password policy information to determine an effective password policy for the target user. The proxy server then sends the request and subsequent requests with the effective password policy to a backend directory server.