Police step up cybercrime fight with specialised training, stronger partnerships

…Top Cop calls for stronger cybersecurity partnerships

With the Guyana Police Force (GPF) now investigating and prosecuting a wide range of cybercrimes, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has emphasised the importance of capacity building and stakeholder collaborations in curbing these types of threats.

He made these remarks at the GPF’s Cybersecurity Awareness and Resilience Symposium 2026 held on Wednesday under the theme “Building a Cyber Resilient Guyana Through Awareness, Protection, and Partnership.”
According to Hicken, in 2025, a total of 50 cybercrime cases were instituted, including 25 computer-related fraud cases, 10 cases involving the use of computer systems to humiliate or embarrass persons, six cases involving the publication or transmission of images of persons’ private areas, three cases of possession of child sexual abuse material, one case of child luring, and five offences against the state.
Of these cases, 15 persons were convicted – 13 for the use of computer systems to humiliate and embarrass persons and two for the possession of child sexual abuse materials.
“These figures demonstrate the range of offences being investigated and prosecuted. They reinforce the need for continued publication, education, specialised investigation training, and effective communication among law enforcement agencies and stakeholders,” Hicken stated.
He pointed out the GPF recognised that in order to be prepared to respond to cybercrimes, it must first be equipped. This, according to the Top Cop, requires sustained investments in the relevant investigative systems and technological capabilities.
“Our officers must understand how cybercrime is committed, how digital evidence is collected and preserved, and how investigations are conducted in accordance with the established legal and professional standards,” the Police Commissioner noted.
Under the GPF’ Strategic Plan 2022-2026, considerable emphasis is already being placed on developing ranks, improving operational efficiency, strengthening partnerships, and incorporating technology in policing practices.
Hicken contended that these priorities have informed several initiatives aimed at improving our responses to emerging forms of criminal activities, including cybercrime. In fact, 23 Police officers benefited from the introduction of a Digital Forensic and Cybercrime Investigative Course last year.
Additionally, other training opportunities were facilitated through partnerships with regional and international organisations, including a Regional Security System (RSS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) out of the United States.
Ranks also gained exposure to specialist areas such as cybercrime, artificial intelligence, digital forensic investigation, and the handling of electronic evidence.
According to the Top Cop, “This knowledge is essential because the ability to identify, secure, analyse, and prevent digital evidence can determine the successful investigation and prosecution of the offences.”

The Police Commissioner further posited that the importance of these efforts is reflected in the Forces’ cybercrime enforcement activities that led to the successful investigations and prosecutions documented over the years.
But even as the Police strengthen their investigative and prosecution capabilities, Hicken underscored the importance of public awareness and broad stakeholder collaboration to protect against the growing cyber threats.
Similar sentiments were shared by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, who emphasised that cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility. She noted that the Government’s goal is not simply a more connected Guyana but one that is secure, resilient and confident in its digital future.
“The vision is a Guyana that can confidently embrace technology because our people trust the systems they use, our institutions are prepared for the threats they face, and our country has the capacity not only to withstand disruption but to recover from it… A resilient country does not assume that nothing will go wrong; a resilient country prepares for when something does,” the Minister noted.
According to Walrond, resilience carries another responsibility for the GPF. She noted that an increasingly digital society requires a capable law enforcement institution with investigators that can recognise digital footprints, preserve the evidence, and follow where it leads.
In the same breath, however, the Home Affairs Minister posited that a resilient security architecture must go further.
“We cannot build our strategy solely on investigating what has already happened. We must develop the ability to anticipate, detect, withstand, respond, recover, and adapt… When a serious cyber incident occurs, we should already know who leads, who responds, who must be contacted, how information will be shared, what systems must be prioritised, and how essential services will continue. The middle of a cyber-attack is not the time to decide what our response plan should be,” she declared.
Walrond contended it requires partnership and deepened cooperation among law enforcement, Government, financial institutions, telecommunication providers, the private sector, schools, civil society, and our regional international partners.