Tag: Law Enforcement Infrastructure

  • New state-of-the-art $191 Million Police Station commissioned in Kitty

    New state-of-the-art $191 Million Police Station commissioned in Kitty

    The Government of Guyana has officially commissioned the newly reconstructed Kitty Police Station, a key infrastructure project under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Completed at a cost just under the original contract sum of $191,907,925.

    The revamped facility now features a modern layout tailored to meet the demands of contemporary policing and community engagement.

    The newly constructed Kitty Police Station

    The station aims to provide a safer, more humane environment for all, particularly vulnerable populations. The facility includes dedicated spaces to accommodate male, female, and juvenile detainees, as well as specially designated areas for witness interviews, identification parades, and handling domestic violence cases.

    These improvements are intended to create a more supportive and responsive environment for victims and members of the public interacting with law enforcement.

    Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, addressed attendees at the commissioning ceremony and emphasised that the upgraded police station reflects more than infrastructural development.

    The Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, delivering his address.

    “This police station, like many others commissioned across the country, represents more than just infrastructure; it reflects our unwavering commitment to national safety, community trust, and responsible governance,” Minister Benn said.

    He underscored that delivering the facility on time and within budget was only the beginning, and that the real work lies in ensuring professionalism, empathy, and performance from those tasked with maintaining law and order.

    Minister Benn called for a collective national approach to crime prevention, stressing that community safety is not just the duty of law enforcement, but a responsibility shared by all Guyanese.

    In addition to these core functions, the station now includes specialised offices for enquiries, the Officer-in-Charge, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), traffic enforcement, and the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS).

    The inclusion of both senior and junior living quarters reflects the Ministry’s commitment to providing proper accommodations for police officers, further enhancing their readiness and morale.

    Minister Benn and Permanent Secretary Andre Ally also handed over a number of protective helmets to be distributed as part of the Ministry’s “Do the Right Thing” road safety campaign.

    This initiative aims to promote safer road practices and encourage greater public responsibility in the use of personal protective gear.

    Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary Andre Ally handing over protective helmets.

    The project stands as a testament to the administration’s commitment to improving national security, enhancing its capacity to serve with efficiency, integrity, and compassion.

  • Major security boost for Regional Police Division 4B as new facilities commissioned

    Major security boost for Regional Police Division 4B as new facilities commissioned

    In a landmark move to bolster public safety and community development, the Government of Guyana today (July 26, 2025) unveiled four state-of-the-art police facilities in Regional Division 4B, setting new standards for policing and social outreach.

    These include the new Regional Division 4B Headquarters, the Providence and Herstelling/Farm Police Stations, and the Diamond Police Training Facility, together representing a comprehensive investment in policing, social services, and community empowerment.

    Modern Facilities to Enhance Safety and Operational Efficiency

    The flagship of the day’s activities is the Diamond Divisional Headquarters, a purpose-built command centre constructed for G$195.8 million.

    Equipped with advanced operational features, including holding cells, interview and ID parade rooms, a witness room, and dedicated offices for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Traffic Division, the facility is designed to improve coordination and response times across the region and beyond.

    Specialised spaces such as a child-friendly interview room and a domestic violence support and waiting areas underscore the Ministry’s commitment to creating safer, more inclusive environments that prioritise the protection of vulnerable populations.

    Administrative areas include offices for the Divisional Commander and Deputy Commander, the Court Superintendent’s office, a conference room to facilitate inter-agency collaboration, and an IT and Command Operations Room to enable intelligence-led policing and real-time decision-making.

    The Providence Police Station, rebuilt for G$65.2 million, now features male, female, and juvenile lockups, witness and ID parade rooms, child-friendly areas, and a domestic violence interview and waiting area.

    It also houses an armoury, evidence room, and offices for CID, Traffic, and general enquiries, alongside new living quarters that promote officer welfare and ensure round-the-clock security coverage.

    The newly constructed Herstelling/Farm Police Station expended at a cost of G$82.47 million, meets national standards and addresses the critical need for increased police visibility along the East Bank corridor, a rapidly developing area previously reliant on support from neighbouring jurisdictions.

    Community Empowerment through Skills Training

    The Diamond Police Training Facility, built at a cost of GYD $98.5 million, expands access to essential community development programmes. Offering courses in computer literacy, sewing, home economics, and other vocational skills, the facility aims to increase employability, reduce recidivism, and promote long-term social reintegration, particularly among youth and at-risk groups.

    Community Outreach and Road Safety

    As part of the commissioning events, Minister of Home Affairs Honourable Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary Andre Ally also distributed protective helmets and sports equipment to Commander DeHearte and his team. The helmet distribution is part of the Ministry’s broader national campaign to enhance road safety and encourage responsible behaviour among motorcyclists.

    Permanent Secretary Mr. Andre Ally stressed the personal responsibility involved in road safety:

    “If you love someone, make sure they wear a helmet. Better yet, if they don’t absolutely need to ride, encourage them to avoid it altogether. The risks are just too high.” PS Ally added, “Every one of us has a responsibility, not just to enforce road safety, but to influence our friends, families, and communities. Speak up when you see reckless riding or poor road habits.”

    A Vision for a New Policing Culture.

    Minister Benn concluded with a forward-looking vision for the Guyana Police Force:

    “We need a new kind of policing, grounded in empathy, discipline, and restraint. Don’t respond with the first impulse. Be professional. Be understanding. These new facilities must be matched by a new culture in the Guyana Police Force. Infrastructure alone doesn’t change lives, people do.”

    The commissioning of these stations and training facilities demonstrates the Government of Guyana’s comprehensive approach to public safety, balancing modern enforcement capabilities with education, rehabilitation, and community engagement to build safer, stronger, and more inclusive neighbourhoods.

  • Kitty Police Station commissioned as part of national police infrastructure upgrade

    Kitty Police Station commissioned as part of national police infrastructure upgrade

    The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday, July 25, 2025, officially commissioned the newly reconstructed Kitty Police Station, further advancing the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the nation’s law enforcement infrastructure.

    The commissioning also marks yet another milestone in the ministry’s commitment to enhancing public safety and building greater capacity within the Guyana Police Force.

    The reconstruction was completed in 2025 with expenditures kept slightly below the original contract amount of G$191,907,925. This project is part of the government’s comprehensive initiative to develop modern, fully equipped police facilities that meet the operational needs of the Guyana Police Force while enhancing the welfare and safety of the communities they serve.

    The upgraded facility boasts a modern layout and enhanced functionality, designed to support a wide range of police operations and improve the quality of services provided to the public.

    Among the key features of the reconstructed station are male, female, and juvenile lockups; a witness and ID parade room; an armory and evidence room; as well as dedicated child-friendly spaces and domestic violence interview and waiting areas. These additions are aimed at creating a more responsive and humane environment, particularly for vulnerable populations.

    In addition to these core functions, the station now includes specialised offices for inquiries, the Officer-in-Charge, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), traffic enforcement, and the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS). The inclusion of both senior and junior living quarters reflects the ministry’s commitment to providing proper accommodations for police officers, further enhancing their readiness and morale.

    Additionally, Minister of Home Affairs, Honourable Robeson Benn, and Permanent Secretary, Mr Andre Ally, handed over a set of protective helmets for distribution under the ministry’s “Do the Right Thing” road safety campaign.

    This initiative seeks to raise public awareness and promote safer practices among motorcyclists, particularly in light of the increasing number of road fatalities involving young riders. The gesture underscores the ministry’s proactive stance on reducing traffic-related injuries and deaths through education and enforcement.

    The Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary Andre Ally handing over protective helmets.

    As part of ongoing efforts to promote youth engagement and support community wellness, the minister and permanent secretary also donated sports equipment.

    This initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to proactive, community-oriented policing and holistic social development. By investing in positive, constructive outlets for young people, the ministry aims to foster stronger community bonds and reduce youth vulnerability.

    Minister Benn, in his remarks at the commissioning, stated:

    “This police station, like many others commissioned across the country, represents more than just infrastructure, it reflects our unwavering commitment to national safety, community trust, and responsible governance. We have delivered on time and within budget, and now we must deliver performance, professionalism, and empathy. As Guyanese, it is our collective responsibility to build a safer nation, not just with buildings and vehicles, but by transforming our behaviors, supporting our youth, and working hand in hand to ensure that every citizen feels secure, respected, and heard. Crime fighting is not just a police matter; it is a whole-of-society effort, and our progress as a nation depends on it.”

    The Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn.