President Irfaan Ali has called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to address the issue of excessive force and improve accountability in their operations. This directive came during his address at the Annual Police Officers Conference 2025, held at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
Presidential Concerns
President Ali highlighted the global debate on police accountability and use of force, referencing recent international incidents to underscore the importance of responsible policing. He stated, “If you look at the news in the last three years, you will see a lot of headlines about accountability in the police force, the level of force that is used in enforcing.”
Recent Incidents
While the President did not specifically mention local cases, he alluded to ongoing investigations:
- In January 2025, two men were killed by police at Airy Hall, Mahaicony, sparking accusations of excessive force.
- The incident is currently under investigation.
Persistent Issues
The call for addressing excessive force comes against a backdrop of longstanding concerns:
- Allegations of Abuse: Numerous reports of police brutality, torture, and mistreatment of suspects and detainees have surfaced over the years.
- Oversight Challenges: The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) faces obstacles in conducting impartial assessments due to staff shortages and lack of an independent investigative unit.
- Impunity Concerns: Critics have pointed out that shifting officers between divisions without prosecution has heightened public anger over perceived police impunity.
Steps Toward Accountability
To address these issues, several measures have been implemented or proposed:
- Charges against officers involved in abuse cases
- Suspension of officers pending criminal investigations
- Calls for leadership changes within the GPF
- Recommendations for more thorough investigations and prosecutions of police brutality cases
As Guyana continues to grapple with these challenges, President Ali’s directive emphasizes the need for the GPF to prioritize accountability and judicious use of force in their policing practices.
