MINISTER of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond has issued a firm directive to senior supervisory ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), declaring that the success of ongoing policing reforms in 2026 will depend largely on the leadership, accountability and performance of Inspectors across the country.
Delivering the feature address at the opening of the GPF Inspectors’ Conference on Wednesday, the Minister stressed that the gathering was not ceremonial but operational, signalling a decisive phase in the transformation of the Force as Guyana undergoes rapid national development.

“You serve at a defining moment in our nation’s history,” Walrond told officers, noting that as the country expands economically and socially, security systems must evolve at the same pace.
She emphasised that reform would not succeed through policy announcements alone but through stronger, more consistent supervision at the station level.
Held under the theme “Modern Policing for a Modern Nation: Integrating Technology, Innovation, and Leadership to Strengthen Public Safety and Trust,” the two-day conference focused on strengthening operational leadership and improving service delivery within the Force.
The Minister referenced President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s eight-pillar framework for transforming policing, which includes justice system integration, digital policing and enhanced community partnerships.
She warned that the initiatives would only succeed through effective execution by supervisory ranks.
According to Minister Walrond, Inspectors play a critical role in maintaining standards, ensuring investigations produce complete and court-ready case files, enforcing disciplined use of technology, and maintaining consistent and impartial traffic and border enforcement.
She cautioned that the GPF can no longer operate reactively, warning that national growth brings heightened security risks and that weak enforcement creates opportunities for organised crime.
“In 2026, your leadership must be visible, measurable and consistent,” the Minister said, adding that public investment in policing must translate into tangible outcomes such as reduced crime, faster response times and improved public confidence.
Quoting Standing Order No. 6, she reminded officers of their statutory responsibility to enforce discipline and uphold professional standards, stressing that corruption within the Force represents a national security threat rather than a minor infraction.
Walrond also underscored the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, directing that cases involving domestic violence and sexual offences be handled urgently and with dignity toward victims.
She concluded by stating that the policy framework, resources and strategic direction for modern policing are already in place, and that the remaining challenge is effective implementation.
“Performance will not be measured in effort. It will be measured in results,” she told Inspectors, urging active supervision, consistent enforcement, proactive disruption of organised crime and zero tolerance for corruption.