AS part of Guyana’s security sector modernisation, a comprehensive reform is in progress, commencing with the Guyana Police Force’s renaming in 2025.
Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, while addressing the recent annual Police Christmas Breakfast at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, disclosed that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will soon be known as the Guyana Police Service.
The name change aims to portray a better image of the organisation and government members said it will benefit all Guyanese, and, according to Hicken, work is being done to ensure there is a smooth transition.
“We have been saying that actually one and a half year now but we are going to push now, in 2025 to have that done,” Hicken said.

Earlier this year, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, while addressing the recent Regional Security System (RSS) Council of Ministers Meeting first made that announcement.
“We are looking at reforming the Guyana Police Force into a Police Service. Our commissioner and staff have been diligently working on establishing a police academy, complete with buildings and training facilities,” Minister Benn remarked.
Benn had reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to becoming a leader and a significant resource for the Caribbean within the RSS framework.

He had also addressed the need for improved leadership, particularly at the middle level, highlighting the importance of training, integrity, and professionalism within the force.
Benn also discussed the potential benefits of exchanging personnel with other jurisdictions to enhance knowledge sharing and training methodologies.
As such, he also underscored the importance of identifying strengths and weaknesses to facilitate targeted improvements and emphasised the significance of continuous training and exemplary leadership to elevate the overall integrity and professionalism of the police service.
The Police Force is divided into seven policing divisions with various branches, each commanded by divisional or branch commanders who report to the Commissioner of Police.

The objectives of the force, as outlined in the Police Act, include the preservation of law and order, peace, the repression of internal disturbances, protection of property, apprehension of offenders, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime.
The recent modernisation efforts have seen the establishment of a Community Relations Department to strengthen police-community relations, promote safe communities, and enhance preventative policing strategies through positive engagements and public trust.
This year, $30.3 billion has been allocated to GPF. Of this sum, $1 billion has been approved to acquire additional vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and engines to boost response capabilities of the GPF and $5 billion for the rehabilitation of police stations. Additionally, 300 body cameras will be procured for police ranks.

This investment has led to the advancement of works in various key areas, including command centres, criminal investigation departments, and living quarters for police personnel in several regions. Also, construction of a state-of-the-art twelve-storey Brickdam Police Station, with a budget of $5.4 billion, is currently underway.

In 2013, the APNU+AFC voted against the second reading of a bill intended to change the name of the Guyana Police Force to the Guyana Police Service.
No one from the APNU opposition spoke on the Police (Change of name) Bill 2013 and the People’s Progressive Party-government lost the vote 27 to 29 when the votes were tallied.
The name change was long proposed within successive police reform recommendations over the years.