The Guyana Police Force has successfully solved three missing persons cases within weeks of introducing new emergency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed to overhaul the national response to such incidents.

The revised SOPs, implemented in late April, removed the longstanding 24-hour waiting period for acting on missing persons reports. Now, police are required to respond immediately to all reports, with special provisions for children, the elderly, and other vulnerable individuals. For missing children, a “Red Alert” is issued instantly, triggering a coordinated national response and rapid deployment of resources across multiple agencies.

These changes were prompted by public outcry over previous cases, including the high-profile death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge. The new protocols emphasize urgency, sensitivity, and professionalism, ensuring that every report is treated as a priority and that families receive timely updates. Senior police officials and specialized units now maintain daily oversight of all active investigations, while public awareness campaigns and interagency collaboration are central to the process.

Since these reforms took effect, three missing persons cases have been resolved swiftly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new approach and restoring public confidence in the system. The Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the nation’s most vulnerable and urges the public to provide timely information to aid in future recoveries.