The Government has allocated a total of $36.2 billion in the 2026 National Budget to further modernise the Guyana Police Force (GPF), as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen public security, expand technological capacity and improve service delivery nationwide.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, made the disclosure during the presentation of Budget 2026 to the National Assembly on Monday.
Dr Singh said the administration has taken “unprecedented steps” to build a modern, intelligence-driven, technology-based and citizen-friendly police force, capable of ensuring safe communities and fostering an environment in which citizens and businesses can operate without fear.
In 2025, a total of $4.7 billion was expended on the construction, reconstruction and upgrading of critical security infrastructure, including the completion of 10 police stations, boat houses and living quarters across the country.
For 2026, $3.6 billion has been budgeted to further enhance the GPF’s infrastructural capacity. This includes $1.2 billion for advancing the construction of the Brickdam Police Station, $475.7 million for the completion of 11 additional stations in Anna Regina, Bonasika, Leguan, Alberttown, Beterverwagting, East La Penitence, Sisters, Orealla, Ituni, Kwakwani and Mabura, and $139.8 million for works on a modern police training academy campus at Dora.
Addressing force mobility and responsiveness, Dr Singh said the GPF has been significantly strengthened since 2020 through the acquisition of new transport assets. In 2025, the Force also rolled out 5,000 body cameras, which now support improved service delivery and provide digital audio and video evidence for criminal, civil and traffic-related matters.
Over the next five years, he said, Government will expand police presence in communities and commence the design of an automated fleet management system to improve operational responsiveness. To support this, an additional $900 million has been budgeted in 2026 for transport assets.
On the Safe Country Initiative, Dr Singh revealed that $6.2 billion was spent in 2025 to expand investigative and surveillance capabilities. To date, 781 Intelligent Video Surveillance (IVS) sites have been completed in priority areas across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten.
These systems, he said, have proven effective in detecting criminal activity and improving overall public safety. In 2026, a further $5 billion has been earmarked to continue the expansion of the initiative.
Community policing also remains a major focus, with the government equipping over 400 community policing groups nationwide. In 2025, $182.6 million was spent to support these efforts, including the establishment of 40 new groups. For 2026, $245.8 million has been allocated to expand community policing networks, supported by digital platforms, institutional engagement and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Training continues to be prioritised, with Dr Singh noting that since 2020, significant investments have been made to enhance professionalism and operational efficiency within the Force. In 2025, $240 million was spent to train nearly 4,000 ranks.
For 2026, $250 million has been allocated for the training of 5,000 ranks, alongside reforms to strengthen supervisory practices and introduce a merit-based system of performance assessments aimed at reinforcing integrity and accountability.
Dr Singh said the overall $36.2 billion allocation for the GPF in 2026 reflects the Government’s firm commitment to building a modern, professional and trusted police service as a central pillar of Guyana’s national development and security framework.
