Guyana working with int’l partners to solve cold cases, boost security outcomes

President Dr Irfaan Ali has revealed that Guyana is strengthening its crime-fighting capabilities through advanced technology and international partnerships, a move that has already contributed to significant improvements in national security outcomes.
During a live interview on Tuesday, President Ali said law enforcement agencies are now revisiting cold cases with the support of international partners and modern investigative tools. He noted that technology, including surveillance systems and aerial monitoring, has enhanced the operational capacity of the Guyana Police Force, allowing officers to work more efficiently and effectively.

“We have had massive improvement, and that is because of the technology. We are now going back, working with our international partners on what we call cold cases, deploying international support with technology. Our men and women in uniform are able now to use this technology. Eyes in the sky, 24 hours deployed. Our clear-up rate is the best in the region,” the President said.
He described the progress as the result of a deliberate shift toward systems driven by technology rather than discretion. He emphasised that digital tools reduce human bias, improve accountability, and strengthen transparency across institutions.
President Ali also highlighted the Government’s broader push to run the state in a more business-like manner, driven by the recognition that elected administrations have limited time to make a meaningful impact. He said this approach is underpinned by the creation of the Ministry of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, which focuses on measurable outcomes and service delivery.
As an example, the President pointed to the recently established service centre at Leonora, where processes that once took weeks are now completed within minutes.
“What used to take people three weeks is done in 10 minutes now. Work permits, visas, everything electronically done. And if in 10 days the application is not processed, the system will tell us not only how many are outstanding, but who are the officers that are lagging behind. And we’re speaking publicly about this. The electronic ticketing system, 48,000-plus tickets, almost 50 per cent payment rate… All the NIS records digitised; what take you a month to search for, you can search in five seconds, and everybody have access now,” he added.
The President also addressed border security and customs enforcement, noting that new scanners will soon be deployed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. He said the Government is considering stricter penalties for false declarations, including higher fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders, as part of efforts to prevent revenue losses.
President Ali reaffirmed that the Government’s overarching goal is to build a technology-backed, system-driven society that promotes discipline, accountability, and transparency, not only within the public sector but across private enterprise as well. He stressed that national security, governance reform, and economic management are all interconnected pillars in Guyana’s push to become a global leader.
“All of this is what brings discipline to the society. That is why I spoke about cultural shift, mindset, deploying cameras at a national scale. The cameras are doing an enormous job for us in solving crime… You have to talk about these things.  The inconsistency does not do well for the system. And I know the Chancellor and the Chief Justice are working to ensure that these inconsistencies and the Judicial Service Commission must be eradicated from our system. So it’s system-based, technology-backed, and human-developed,” Ali added.