By Josiah Williams
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is poised to benefit from enhanced services and training through technical cooperation and funding from the United States.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, unveiled these measures during a signing ceremony for increased funding for Guyana through the US Government International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement fund.
Ambassador Theriot announced a significant boost in support, with an additional $300,000 provided to help Guyana bolster its crime-fighting efforts, enhance the rule of law, and integrate effectively into the regional security system.
This funding reaffirms the deepening relationship between the US and Guyana in addressing common security challenges.
Furthermore, the US will invest $350,000 into the GPF under the Better Police Readiness Programme.
This investment aims to strengthen the GPF’s strategic management plan, enhance crisis communication and hostage negotiation capabilities, improve foreign and crime scene investigation techniques, and refine training curriculums.
In addition to financial assistance, Ambassador Theriot disclosed plans for training and technical cooperation between the Guyana Police Force and US agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The US Embassy, in collaboration with the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), will initiate a capacity-building program with the US DEA to enhance Guyana’s counter-narcotics capabilities.
Moreover, Ambassador Theriot announced the deployment of a technical FBI team to Guyana to support the upgrade of the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) at major ports throughout the country.
This initiative aims to ensure interoperability with US law enforcement agencies, strengthening border security measures.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, expressed the government’s satisfaction with these initiatives, recognizing their potential to significantly impact crime reduction, narcotics control, money laundering, and other societal challenges.
The collaboration between the United States and Guyana underscores a shared commitment to addressing security concerns and promoting stability in the region.