-highlights almost 50% decrease over the last five years
Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, recognised and praised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the reduction in serious crimes committed across Guyana over the last five years.
Speaking at today’s opening ceremony of the GPF’s Annual Officers’ Conference at the Police Officers’ Mess in Eve Leary, the President highlighted a number of initiatives, especially technology‑driven ones that will drive the further development of the Force.
On crime statistics, the President revealed a decisive shift after 2020. He noted that during 2016–2020, Guyana recorded an average of 2,827 serious crimes per year, and in the subsequent period that figure fell by almost 50% to 1,441 per year.
“This was not the result of marginal improvements in a few categories, but of a broad contraction across major crime types.” The President added that the data show reductions between 55% and 69% across several categories, including simple robbery, robbery under arms, robbery with other weapons, robbery with violence, and robbery with aggravation. Armed robbery alone fell from an annual average of over 640 cases between 2016–2020 to fewer than 290 cases between 2021–2025.
“This collapse in street‑level and weapon‑based robbery was the single largest driver of the overall crime reduction. Break‑and‑enter largely declined by 57% over the period.”
The President said the figures show a sharp reduction in everyday criminal activity, particularly crimes linked to economic motivation, ease of access, and public vulnerability. He added that despite these numbers, there are still areas where the rate of change is not as quick as it should be. Focus must therefore be placed on reducing the murder rate, addressing the growing issue of gangs in the school system, and decisively tackling domestic violence and rape.
The gains over the past five years, the President noted, are the result of strong leadership, investment in infrastructure and technology, and the commitment of the GPF. To further complement the drive to modernise the Force and the way it deals with crime at every level, President Ali outlined a number of initiatives that will be expanded and supported to increase effectiveness and reduce human biases.
High on the agenda is the expansion of the current e‑ticketing system so the entire process can be completed on a digital platform. Other systems such as case management, filing, and examination will also be digitised. “This e‑ticketing system has allowed some sanity on our roadways, has removed a lot of bias and human interference, but that is just the first phase.”
To complement this, the President said his Government is considering the establishment of a specialised court to deal with traffic offences. “Because of the mere speed of this technology and the number of transactions, the judiciary may very well have to look at a specialised court to deal with traffic offences. If those who breach the traffic laws believe that there can be delays in the way they are prosecuted, then we have to address that also.”
Another aspect of the technology drive, he explained, will be the design of a platform through which crime reports can be filed online and automatically directed to the nearest police station or outpost. “We don’t want only a highly effective and efficient Police Force in response; we want a highly effective Police Force in proactive policing, preventative policing.”
He said modern policing requires technology‑backed systems to create predictive modelling for proactive policing. The President also announced that he has tasked the Ministry of Home Affairs with introducing special amendments to allow for non‑lethal but effective weapons, as a phased approach to addressing the high demand for firearm licences.
He also spoke about the e‑border protection system, which will be complemented by the addition of specialised scanners at customs and immigration. “The e‑border system must also be critically integrated into the border security system that we are developing. We are working on the right technology to give us more effectiveness in at least seeing what is happening on the border in the first phase.”
The President said the GPF must confront the new and evolving threats of the digital age, such as cybercrime, cyberbullying, online fraud, ponzi schemes, and other complex financial crimes. “As crime becomes more sophisticated, so too must our response. Protecting our citizens today means not only securing our streets but also defending our digital spaces and financial systems with the same resolve.”
He emphasised that policing no longer relies solely on eyewitness accounts and chance detection, but is increasingly evidence‑driven and technology‑enabled. “Our objective is clear: the Police Force is not only better resourced, but smarter, more professional, and more capable of preventing crime, solving offences, and keeping our country safe.”
The President said the overarching goal is not merely the absence of crime statistics, but the presence of peace of mind, trust in institutions, and confidence in the rule of law. “Achieving this vision requires deliberate action, sustained investment, and modern thinking. It requires a professional, well‑resourced Police Force, supported by technology, forensic science, and community partnerships. It calls for prevention as much as enforcement, accountability as much as authority, and justice that is both firm and fair.”
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips; Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Oneidge Walrond; other Government officials and Senior Members of the Joint Services were also at the event.