Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has announced a transformative agenda for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), emphasizing the importance of building a reliable and trustworthy institution. Speaking at a recent award ceremony, Hicken acknowledged the generally high standard of integrity among officers but noted that 20 members of the Force faced criminal charges this year.
Hicken stated that the GPF is taking proactive measures to minimize such incidents in the future. “We are already putting systems in place,” he remarked, discussing an updated strategic plan set to be implemented in the coming year. This plan aims to establish a foundation for the force’s transformative agenda leading into 2026 and beyond.
“As we protect our future, we step into 2026 with confidence. The Guyana Police Force will accelerate transformative reform and lay the groundwork for the 2027 to 2031 strategic plan,” Hicken declared.
The Commissioner highlighted the need for policing to adapt to evolving threats, noting that citizens are closely monitoring the conduct of police officers. He urged his ranks to maintain professionalism to safeguard themselves and the integrity of the GPF. “As we enter this new era of policing, standards will rise and expectations will sharpen,” he said, emphasizing the significance of public perception.
Mr. Hicken pointed to the GPF’s commitment to digital transformation as a means of enhancing accountability. He promised that reports would be submitted digitally to increase transparency in case handling. “Stronger infrastructure demands stronger performance,” he stated, affirming the force’s dedication to modernizing policing by not only enforcing the law but also by anticipating and analyzing threats with intelligence.
In support of this modernization, the GPF has established five Command Centres, with two currently fully operational. The Commissioner underscored that accountability and operational efficiency are paramount goals for the force in the ongoing transformation.
Commissioner Hicken concluded by reinforcing the notion that the policing landscape is evolving, and the GPF is committed to meeting the challenges of this new era effectively.
