With just under two weeks before the 2025 General and Regional Elections, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, along with deputy commissioners, conducted a pre-elections operational muster with officers and ranks at Police Headquarters at the Tactical Services Unit Drill Square, Eve Leary.
During the muster, Commissioner Hicken delivered stern warnings, cautioning officers that there would be consequences for any actions taken outside of the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Force policies.
He emphasised the importance of professionalism, neutrality and preparedness within the Force during the elections. The Top Cop also noted that in the coming weeks, newly promoted ranks will undergo training at the Police Academy, where they will receive certificates upon completion. Hicken took the opportunity to thank the ranks for their involvement and commended them for their good work. Finally, he charged those in attendance to uphold the integrity of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at all times, especially when dealing with members of the public.
Elections preparation Division #8
Meanwhile, Commander of Regional Police Division Eight, Senior Superintendent Ravindra Stanley, conducted a general muster and election preparedness training session with ranks covering the roles and responsibilities of officers assigned to polling stations, as well as for general policing on Joint Services Voting Day on Friday and Election Day, September 1.
The muster, held on Saturday at the Mahdia Police Station in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) saw Commander Stanley emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process. He urged ranks to remain disciplined and professional at all times.
Crisis training
On Monday, the GPF in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office launched a Crisis Management Training Programme at the Officers’ Training Centre (OTC), Camp Road, Georgetown, with 58 ranks participating, all drawn from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU). United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot has since reaffirmed Washington’s support for Guyana’s security and democratic processes following a joint election security crisis response training exercise held under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).
In a post made on the US embassy’s social media page in Georgetown it was stated that the exercise brought together Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, officers of the GPF and counterparts from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. According to Ambassador Theriot, the training focused on enhancing preparedness and collaboration in safeguarding the electoral process.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to public safety, regional cooperation and protecting the rights of Guyanese citizens,” Ambassador Theriot said. She added that the US remains committed to assisting Guyana in strengthening institutions, promoting security and protecting its sovereignty.
The CBSI launched in 2009, is a US security partnership with Caribbean nations aimed at addressing crime and security threats in the region. The initiative has supported a range of training programmes and technical assistance to bolster law enforcement capacity.
