IN a holistic approach towards enhancing national security, the government will soon be rolling out a comprehensive biometrics project aimed at tracking and locating criminals in Guyana through facial recognition.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent press conference disclosed that this initiative, which forms part of the government’s master plan for improving security, signifies a strategic shift towards technology-driven crime prevention and law enforcement.

VP Jagdeo outlined the multifaceted approach to modernising security in the country and said that a pivotal component of this plan is the construction of a state-of-the-art Brickdam Police Station which draws inspiration from renowned institutions like Scotland Yard.

The new 12-storey building, with a price tag of US$28 million, will serve as the nerve centre for crime fighting across Guyana and will be equipped with cutting-edge facilities and technology.

Addressing the need for an integrated security infrastructure, Jagdeo said: “It is not just a building we’re putting up; it is a plan we are rolling out.

“So, that has to be done, as well as upgrading all of our police stations across the country, as well as better equipping them and ensuring that we use technology for better security in our country. It’s part of a security plan.”

The announcement comes on the heels of the groundbreaking ceremony for the new central police station, which is set to be constructed over a 30-month period by R. Bassoo & Sons Construction Company in collaboration with Qingjian Group Guyana Limited.

The modern facility will feature advanced fire prevention mechanisms and earthquake-resistant capabilities, showcasing the government’s commitment to a resilient and cutting-edge security infrastructure.

Furthermore, Vice President Jagdeo shed light on the ongoing efforts to bolster security measures, including the implementation of security cameras with facial recognition software.

Presently the government is actively working on a biometric project that aims to track every individual with a criminal record in Guyana, utilising facial recognition technology.

“We’re already putting in security cameras with facial recognition software. We’re working on a biometric project that would allow us to know every, every criminal in Guyana who has a record we can pinpoint where they are at any moment in time.

“Through facial recognition software, we’d be able to track every person who comes into our country, who overstays their visa or anything else,” Jagdeo said.

Against the backdrop of the biometrics project, President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently said that his government is committed to acquiring state-of-the-art assets for the Guyana Police Force.

This includes establishing a marine division capable of utilising river assets for crime fighting and proactive intelligence work.

Additionally, plans for an aviation division involved in building air capacity and capability integrated with the Guyana Defence Force.

“We are going to move a lot of our air capacity and capability to the new hangar at Ogle that the Guyana Defence Force is constructing and rehabilitating right now.

“We hope in that hangar to not only add to the air capability and capacity of the Guyana Defence Force, but to add two modern pieces of equipment to support the air division of the Guyana Police Force,” Dr. Ali said.

President Ali elaborated, “In the Guyana Police Force, for example, we will have an integration between the chopper, the sea craft, what I call sea craft capability, the air capability and land capability, of course, in the land capability, we are already investing heavily in bikes, motor vehicles, buses, ATV’s”

In addition to biometric facial recognition, Guyana is employing various other technologies to combat crime. These include Smart City Surveillance Cameras in which the government has operationalised high-tech surveillance cameras capable of performing face and car licence recognition. This system is aimed at enhancing the capacity of the police and ensuring prompt and efficient public security services

Another one is implementing the Smart Policing Systems, which involve the use of information technology to assist police planners in mapping crimes and utilising analytics as a crime-fighting tool.

Additionally, one of the major undertakings in the smart policing systems is the implementation of a digital platform for ticketing which is directly related to law enforcement efforts.