Sept 1 polls: Anchored in preparedness – Top Cop on Police readiness for ‘peaceful, secure’ elections

As Guyanese prepare to head to the polls on September 1, 2025, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, has committed to ensuring the process is peaceful and the rights and freedoms of every citizen are protected.

“As we look to the horizon, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stands firmly anchored in progress, purpose and preparedness; and with the upcoming General and Regional Elections, we are firm in our commitment to ensure a peaceful, secured and democratic electoral process,” he assured during his address to the GPF’s 186th anniversary Awards Ceremony, held Friday July 11.
The police have so far completed training on Election Laws and Regulations; Crowd Management; Communication Protocols; Crisis Response Plans; and Authorised Personnel at Polling Places. The training sought to equip the ranks with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure they are educated on their roles and responsibilities during the electoral process.

Hicken on Friday said “preparations are grounded in strategy, guided by law and executed with impartiality.”
“We are enhancing operational readiness, strengthening intelligence cooperation and ensuring that our police ranks are equipped both in mindset and method to uphold the law while protecting the rights and freedoms of every citizen in Guyana,” he added.
He urged the ranks to “lead by example” when engaging the public.

Security training assistance
The United States (US) Government will be offering experts to assist the GPF with security training, according to US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot.
“So, what we’re going to be doing very shortly is bringing in police trainers – we haven’t settled yet on whether it’s Las Vegas or Miami Dade – to provide election day security training. So, to help the GPF be prepared for whatever might come,” the Ambassador recently told reporters. The US diplomat explained that it was the GPF that requested this assistance from the US Government in order to prepare its ranks for the upcoming polls. “As you know, our elections, no matter how contentious they might be, are always peaceful for the most part and so we do have a lot of expertise in that area in the United States. So, we’re were very happy to help,” she added.
The last General and Regional Elections were conducted on March 2, 2020.
However, litigation, protest actions, a national recount exercise, and efforts by the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition to delay the process led to increased police intervention nationwide to maintain peace and order. The results were eventually declared on August 2, 2025 leading to the swearing-in of President Dr Irfaan Ali.