GPF, French military authorities advance bilateral security cooperation

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and senior French military and security officials have taken another significant step toward strengthening bilateral security collaboration following a high-level meeting on Tuesday. Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and senior GPF officers met with a French delegation led by Olivier Plançon, Ambassador of France in Guyana, and including French Commander of Police Jean-Michel Canestrier and his collaborator, Maxence Kauffmann. The discussion centred on expanding operational cooperation and identifying new avenues for strategic partnership between the two Police forces.
Commander Canestrier, the French Regional Security Adviser responsible for Guyana and Suriname, joined GPF leadership in in-depth discussions aimed at reinforcing existing operational ties. Both sides noted the already strong and effective working relationship, citing the recent successful handling of a case involving French fake passports as an example of productive joint action. The meeting underscored the importance of continued cooperation in tackling shared security challenges.
A key item on the agenda was the proposed signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the French and Guyanese Police Forces. The agreement, once finalised, would formalise the framework for cooperation and support long-term joint initiatives in priority security areas.
The two sides also examined ways to strengthen operational coordination, including real-time information sharing, cross-border alerts, and enhanced investigative support. These measures aim to bolster joint responses to criminal activities affecting both jurisdictions.
Plans were discussed for reciprocal visits to Police facilities and services in Guyana and French Guiana. Such visits would allow both sides to strengthen understanding of each other’s systems, operational capacities, and best practices, ultimately improving joint operations.
Another major focus was digitalisation and modernisation of policing. Discussions explored the use of investigative technologies, digital data management systems, and border security tools to support modern policing efforts in both countries.
Training and capacity building featured prominently in the meeting. Both sides agreed to begin with training on the detection of fake documents. This initial training will cover the security features of Guyanese, French, and European Union identity and travel documents; techniques used in producing fraudulent documents; and investigative approaches for document fraud cases. A broader training plan will be developed subsequently.
Officials on both sides acknowledged that Guyana and France (through French Guiana) face similar threats across the Guyana Shield, including narcotrafficking, gold smuggling, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and illegal immigration. The meeting also noted that illegal migration risks may increase with the new direct flight between Georgetown and Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s largest airport hubs. Strengthened cooperation between the forces will improve their ability to detect, prevent, and investigate these cross-border crimes.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Ravindradat Budhram; Finance Officer and Senior Superintendent Bharat Persaud; Head of the Strategic Planning & Implementation Unit for Police Reform and Senior Superintendent Dr Nicola Kendall; and Second-in-Command (Administration) and Superintendent Jewel Sullivan.
The Guyana Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to strong regional and international security partnerships and expressed optimism about deepening cooperation with French authorities as both sides continue to confront shared transnational threats.