The Guyana Police Force has welcomed the move by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government to introduce a regional arrest treaty as member states work closer to tackle crime.
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud weighed in on the issue on Wednesday and said the treaty will extend the arms of regional Police Forces to make arrests.

Seelall said the process to get fugitives from another CARICOM country has normally been lengthy. He explained that this treaty is likely to bypass any legal extradition requirements and allow for member states to act on an arrest warrant issued in another CARICOM country.

The Police Commissioner could not comment on Guyana’s input in crafting the document.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum also spoke on the advantages of the treaty which is expected to enhance cooperation between and among law enforcement authorities in the community.

He described it as a “great initiative” and said Guyana had been faced in the past with instances where fugitives who were arrested and granted bail had fled to countries in the region.

Blanhum said there was a particular case where a national from another CARICOM country was arrested for a drug trafficking related offence here and subsequently secured bail.

The suspect then left Guyana and returned home but efforts to have that person extradited are yet to materialize.

Under the initiative, member states will be able to arrest criminal suspects from other member states who may be hiding out in their country. The suspects will be sent back to their home country to face the law.

The leaders believe the move could be a major step in the area of tackling the many unsolved crimes in the region.

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