To bolster crime-fighting capabilities and improve responses to complex situations, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for training partnerships on Monday.
During a ceremony held at the GPF headquarters in Georgetown, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn highlighted the necessity of police transformation to address intricate crime issues and enhance community engagement.
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The agreement was signed by US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella, GPF Deputy Commissioner of Police ‘Admin’ Calvin Brutus, and Minister Benn, who expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with the NYPD.
Kinsella noted that the training program would be specifically tailored to meet Guyana’s law enforcement needs. “We are excited to share our experiences and best practices with the Guyanese Police Force. We aim to help them tackle similar challenges in their communities and make Guyana safer,” she said.
Before the agreement signing, the visiting delegation met with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other key government officials. Throughout the week, the delegation will engage with civil society stakeholders.
A curriculum will be developed to incorporate best practices in law enforcement training, including homicide investigations, responses to gender-based violence, and community policing strategies. “As we move forward, I see a future where our partnership only grows stronger, allowing us to freely exchange knowledge and experience for the greater good of both New York City and Guyana,” Kinsella added.
The NYPD delegation is scheduled to meet with key government and civil society stakeholders this week, fostering a stronger partnership to support the local police, according to Ambassador Theriot. “This engagement will promote a more inclusive criminal justice system and attract international investment as Guyana continues to grow, transform, and diversify its economy,” she said.
The NYPD will return to Guyana in a few months to begin the training program, while a group of Guyanese officers will travel to New York later this year for a practical study tour at the NYPD’s training facility.
Ambassador Theriot described the program as an additional “tool” to combat crime, violence, and illicit trafficking, reaffirming the US commitment to deepening partnerships with Guyana to address shared security challenges.
