ERC, Police forge stronger ties ahead of 2025 polls

Commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) recently paid a courtesy call on Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, at his offices at Eve Leary to discuss areas of mutual cooperation.

During the meeting, Shaikh Moeen-ul Hack, Chairman of the ERC, expressed gratitude to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for providing training to ERC staff on the Cybercrime Act, and on CID Induction Training for the ERC’s Investigative Unit.

In response, Commissioner Hicken reaffirmed the GPF’s commitment to providing additional training support to the ERC, and welcomed the opportunity for GPF officers to benefit from ERC-led training in areas such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
The ERC and GPF have already collaborated on several cases related to violations of the Racial Hostility Act and the Cybercrime Act, some of which are ongoing. With the country entering the elections season, both sides recognize the importance of enhanced collaboration. To strengthen this partnership, they intend to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to streamline the handling of cases forwarded by the ERC.
A Working Group comprising representatives from both the ERC and GPF has been set up. This group would meet monthly to review pending cases and address emerging issues.
Present at this meeting between the ERC and GPF were Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken; Deputy Commissioner, ‘Administration’, Ravindradat Budhram, and Superintendent Carol Fraser-Harding.
Representing the ERC were Chairman Shaikh Moeen-ul Hack, the nine other Commissioners: Mr. Charles Ogle, Rev. Alphonso Porter, Pandit Krishn Sharma, Mr. Neaz Subhan, Mr. Norris Witter, Mr. Dwayne Adams, Mrs. Chandrowtie Sarran, Mr. Ashton Simon, Mr. Deon Dick (Ras Khafra), and Chief Executive Officer/Secretary Ms. Gomin Camacho.
The ERC and GPF have reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the rule of law by fostering ethnic harmony, security and good relations across Guyana.