The Guyana Police Force is seeking to advance bilateral security co-operation with the French Police Authority, as the two security agencies are looking at new ways to collaborate.

On Tuesday, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and Senior Officers of the Guyana Police Force met with a French Delegation led by the French Ambassador to Guyana, Olivier Plançon, and French Commander of Police Jean-Michel Canestrier.

The meeting focused on advancing bilateral security cooperation and developing new areas of strategic collaboration between the French and Guyana Police Forces.

The Guyana Police Force said one of the key points discussed was the proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding between the French and Guyana Police Forces. The MOU would formalize the cooperation framework and support sustained partnership in critical security areas.

The two sides also explored ways to strengthen mechanisms for operational coordination, including real-time exchange of information, cross-border alerts and investigative support. The measures aim to improve the effectiveness of joint responses to criminal activities that impact both jurisdictions.

“Training and capacity building formed another key area of focus. Both sides agreed that initial action can begin with training in the detection of fake documents. The training is expected to cover identification features of Guyanese, French and European Union identity and travel documents, methods used in the production and detection of fraudulent documents and investigative techniques for document fraud cases. A wider training plan will be finalized later,” the GPF stated.

The meeting also addressed cooperation in the digitalization and computerization of police work and how the use of investigative technologies, data management systems and border security tools to strengthen modernization efforts within both Police Forces.

“Officials acknowledged that Guyana and France through French Guiana, face similar criminal threats across the Guyana Shield. These include narcotrafficking, gold smuggling, human trafficking and arms trafficking and illegal immigration. The meeting also noted that illegal immigration is expected to increase with the recent launch of the direct flight between Georgetown and Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s major airport hubs. Strengthened cooperation will enhance both countries’ ability to monitor, investigate and prevent cross-border criminal activity,” the GPF said in its statement.

The Guyana Police Force said it remains committed to strong regional and international partnerships to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all citizens and look forward to deepening its cooperation with French authorities as both sides continue to confront shared transnational threats.

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