-President tells officers conference
President Irfaan Ali has called upon the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to practice greater accountability and reduce the use of excessive force in the execution of their duties, and referenced recent incidents in the United States to highlight the importance of responsible policing.
“If you look at the news in the last three years, you will see a lot of headlines, a lot of headlines about accountability in the police force, the level of force that is used in enforcing. It is here, it is there, it is regional, and this is a big debate on the level of force. But then again, you see three days ago, three officers killed. So, this is one of the important things about policing for tomorrow,” Ali stated in his remarks at the Annual Police Officers Conference 2025 ongoing at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The President did not cite local cases, however, last month two men were killed by police at Airy Hall, Mahaicony and the matter is now under investigation. The police were accused of using excessive force during the incident.
President Ali emphasised three key areas that should be the focus of the conference.
“There are three things that this conference must consider deeply as we look forward, as we think forward. And that is, how do we ensure that we develop a strategy that is balanced? One that promotes the shared accountability and the shared partnership. But importantly, one that is balanced.
“One that balances the need for strong enforcement, but also look at the softer issues. Look at ways in which we can use technology, use infrastructure to mitigate circumstances of excessive force. Circumstances that can avoid the police being accused of using excessive force.
“And that is a balance that has to be created. That is a clear understanding as to how we utilize softer skills in the Guyana Police Force. And we have been investing heavily in developing softer skills.
As he encouraged officers to become accountable, Ali also urged citizens to desist from offering bribes to members of the force.
“So, in building out this police force, there must be shared accountability and partnership. We spoke about partnership many times this morning. But what is shared accountability? Shared accountability is where every single citizen must understand that they have a role in building a strong police force, in building a professional police force, in building a responsible police force, in building a police force with high integrity.
“Every single citizen. Every single citizen must play a role. If you try to bribe an officer, you are part of the problem. If you try to bribe a traffic officer, you are part of the problem. So we have to understand public education is also about educating the public about their responsibility in crime fighting. Educating the public that they have a decency as citizens to live up to also”, the President said.
Bribery has been seen as a major problem in the force particularly as it relates to traffic cops.
