Declaring that the prevalence of crime may be affecting the mental health of citizens, Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken today said that the Guyana Police Force has been battling to prevent or stem traditional and new types of criminal activities in Guyana.

He told his fellow Police Officers this morning that while the Police Force has been dealing with crime and criminality the best way it knows how, it still remains a challenge for the Force.

“Let us not underestimate the challenges we face. The complex issue ranges from persistent threat of drug trafficking the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and digital security threat amidst a resources constrains and so the challenges include negative social media influence, adapting to changing societal dynamics, balancing the need of tourism and those of local communities and addressing issues such as petty crimes and harassment,” the Top Cop said.

According to Mr. Hicken,  issues such as transnational crime, the country’s porous borders, substance abuse, gender-based violence and mining related criminal activities, and illegal immigration have also been posing some challenges for the Police. 

He said the Police will be seeking closer collaboration with various communities and other stakeholders in addressing some of the challenges.

“Our projections are therefore to integrate technology in our policing metholodogies through our adoption of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and predictive policing tool,” Mr. Hicken said.

He acknowledged that to respond to some of the challenges, the Police Force needs to increase its capacity. Mr. Hicken said the Police Force will be expanding its transportation fleet by 100%, adding that the other operations of the Force are guided by its 2022-2026 strategic plan.

The Force will also be moving to prepare its posture ahead of next year’s general elections.

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