Guyana records largest police promotion in Commonwealth history – President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that Guyana has achieved a historic milestone by carrying out the largest police promotion ever recorded in the history of the Commonwealth, not just in Guyana. The declaration was made during a spirited address at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rally in Bartica, Region Seven, where the Head of State underscored his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of men and women in uniform.

The President reminded supporters that his Government had not only restored but also expanded benefits for security service members since returning to office. He pointed to the reinstatement of the annual bonus for members of the joint services—a benefit originally introduced under then-President Bharrat Jagdeo and removed under A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Administration.
“Then-President Bharrat Jagdeo gave to you without oil and gas; they took it away from you with oil and gas; we returned it to you when we came back in Government and you are seeing that we are doing more and more for you, and we will do more and more for you. I want our men and women in uniform to know one thing: they [APNU+AFC] never, ever apologised for even taking away what the PPP Civic gave you – for a matter of fact …the then Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said you are not deserving of it. This [PPP/C] is the Government that gave it to you; this is the Government that increased your salary scale and gave you increases in salaries; this is the Government that gave you your promotion, and this is the Government you must support for a brighter future,” he said, to loud applause. On July 30, in one of the most sweeping reforms in the history of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), President Dr Irfaan Ali announced the promotion of more than 2,000 police officers, while unveiling a new era of accountability, fairness and upward mobility in the law enforcement system. With effect from August 1, 2025, ranks who have attained the requisite years of service and have no disciplinary action against them are to be promoted. This promotion will see ranks move up from Constable to Lance Corporal, Lance Corporal to Corporal, Corporal to Sergeant and Sergeant to Inspector. Specifically, the President announced that cops who are Corporal for eight-10 years will be moved to the highest level on the scale and so their salaries will be adjusted accordingly. Additionally, those who are Constable with five-seven years of service will be promoted to Lance Corporal at the highest level of the scale while those Constables with 8-10 years in the system will be moved to Corporal at the highest level of the scale. Meanwhile, he said those with 10-13 years of service will be promoted to Sergeant at the middle of the scale and those with 13-15 will go as Sergeant at the highest level of the scale.
All those in the system with 20 and more years of service who are not at the level of Inspector will be adjusted to be an Inspector, at the starting of the scale.
Addressing the move to promote ranks on Saturday at the Bartica rally, the Guyanese leader and Commander-in-Chief noted that the recent promotions follow substantial increases in salary scales for law enforcement personnel, along with salary adjustments that reflect the Government’s recognition of their service and sacrifice.
The President took aim at Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and others, accusing them of initially criticising the promotions, only to later attempt to match the Government’s initiatives with promises of their own. “After the last promotion, Norton and others came out first and criticised it. When they saw how it was embraced, they then started calling numbers of what they would do,” Ali reminded.
Calling on members of the disciplined forces to reflect on the administration’s tangible support, President Ali emphasised that security personnel, like all Guyanese, have the democratic right to choose their leaders in the upcoming General and Regional Elections on September 1, 2025.
“They must know who stood for them, who stood with them, and who will stand with them to ensure they have a stronger future,” he urged.