See full statement from the Guyana Police Force:
The Commissioner of Police Mr. Clifton Hicken and Senior Officers of the Guyana Police Force met with a French Delegation led by Mr. Olivier Plançon, Ambassador of France in Guyana, which included French Commander of Police Jean-Michel Canestrier and Mr. Maxence Kauffmann, his collaborator. The meeting which was held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 focused on advancing bilateral security cooperation and developing new areas of strategic collaboration between the French and Guyana Police Forces.
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
Commander Canestrier, the French Regional Security Adviser competent for Guyana and Suriname, joined Senior GPF Officers in detailed discussions on strengthening operational partnerships. Both sides acknowledged the strong and effective working relationship that already exists between the two entities, which was recently demonstrated in the successful handling of a case involving French fake passports. The discussions emphasized the importance of continued joint action and cooperation.
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐔
One of the key points discussed was the proposal for the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the French and Guyana Police Forces. This would formalize the cooperation framework and support sustained partnership in critical security areas.
𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠
Both sides explored ways to strengthen mechanisms for operational coordination, including real-time exchange of information, cross-border alerts and investigative support. These measures aim to improve the effectiveness of joint responses to criminal activities that impact both jurisdictions.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞
Arrangements were discussed for joint visits to police facilities and services. These visits would allow both sides to better understand each other’s systems, capabilities and best practices, further supporting coordinated operations.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠
The meeting also addressed cooperation in the digitalization and computerization of police work. Discussions covered the use of investigative technologies, data management systems and border security tools to strengthen modernization efforts within both Police Forces.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Training and capacity building formed another key area of focus. Both sides agreed that initial action can begin with training in the detection of fake documents. The training is expected to cover identification features of Guyanese, French and European Union identity and travel documents, methods used in the production and detection of fraudulent documents and investigative techniques for document fraud cases. A wider training plan will be finalized later.
𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝
Officials acknowledged that Guyana and France through French Guiana, face similar criminal threats across the Guyana Shield. These include narcotrafficking, gold smuggling, human trafficking and arms trafficking and illegal immigration. The meeting also noted that illegal immigration is expected to increase with the recent launch of the direct flight between Georgetown and Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s major airport hubs. Strengthened cooperation will enhance both countries’ ability to monitor, investigate and prevent cross-border criminal activity.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’, Mr. Ravindradat Budhram; Finance Officer, Senior Superintendent Bharat Persaud; Head of the Strategic Planning & Implementation Unit for Police Reform, Senior Superintendent, Dr. Nicola Kendall and Second-in-Command ‘Administration’, Superintendent Ms. Jewel Sullivan.
The Guyana Police Force reaffirms its commitment to strong regional and international partnerships to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all citizens. The Force looks forward to deepening its cooperation with French authorities as both sides continue to confront shared transnational threats.
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