Police urged to act swiftly on protection orders under new Family Violence Act

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is reminding officers that they are legally mandated to act swiftly on reports of domestic abuse and to enforce protection orders under the new Family Violence Act of 2024. Superintendent Shellon Daniels made the call during the latest edition of “Police and You”, a public awareness programme.

She emphasised that the new Act provides greater protection and responsibility for law enforcement when handling domestic violence complaints. “The police are mandated to entertain your report via the telephone or in person,” Daniels said. “They are instruments of authority… signed under the hand and seal of a judge or a Magistrate, commanding the police to do certain things.” Daniels explained that a protection order is not simply a document—it carries the full weight of the law.
“Persons are still of the view that these orders are just pieces of paper with no weight,” she said. “I am going to redefine it. They are instruments of authority that command the police to take certain actions.” She noted that once a report is made, the police are duty-bound to confront the alleged perpetrator, administer the necessary caution in keeping with the law, and initiate the appropriate process.
“Automatically, the perpetrator will be made aware,” she said. “The police must confront the perpetrator and put the allegation to them, effect that arrest, and commence the process.” The Family Violence Act of 2024, which replaced the Domestic Violence Act of 1996, expands who can apply for a protection order and outlines a detailed procedure for obtaining one. Victims, or those acting on their behalf, can file an application through any Magistrate’s court, after which the police are required to serve the order on the alleged abuser. Daniels also reminded the public that both temporary and long-term protection orders must be filed at the police station nearest to where the perpetrator resides, so that officers are aware of their existence and can take action if the order is breached. “If it is not communicated to the police, the police would not be in the know,” she cautioned. “It might look as if the police are not taking action.” She further urged the public to recognise that the law empowers officers to enforce these orders decisively. “Once you secure those orders, take it into the police station closest to where the person resides,” Daniels advised. “The police will take evasive action—and again, the police are mandated to take those actions.” The reminder comes as authorities continue efforts to strengthen accountability, improve public trust, and ensure that victims of domestic violence receive timely protection under the law.