Number of cops to rise by 45%

The Ministry of Home Affairs today said it has been successful in receiving the approval of Cabinet for an increase in the establishment of the Guyana Police Force from 3,410 to 4,956.

This would represent an increase of 45%.

A statement from the ministry said that the Force’s establishment of 3,410 was in existence since 1977.

With this hike, a total of 1,546 Ranks would be added to the Force.

“This upward adjustment of the strength of the Force has become necessary because of the additional functions that the Police has had to perform over the years. Those added responsibilities have resulted in the Force creating additional specialized units.

“Further, because of the development of new housing areas and the expended economic activities in the interior and other areas in Guyana, the current strength of the Force has been found to be inadequate to man the existing and new Police Stations that are to be constructed”, the ministry stated.

The follow up administrative procedures that are required to move the process forward are being taken, the statement said.