Corruption survives where supervision is weak – Walrond tells senior police officers

The Guyana Police Force’s Inspectors’ Conference opened today with a resolute address from Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, who made it clear that the responsibility for driving policing transformation in 2026 rests directly on the shoulders of the Inspectors.

Speaking at the conference, held under the theme “Modern Policing for a Modern Nation: Integrating Technology, Innovation, and Leadership to Strengthen Public Safety and Trust,” the Minister stressed that the two-day conference was “not ceremonial… not routine,” but “operational.”

“You serve at a defining moment in our nation’s history,” she told the ranks. “Guyana is transforming rapidly, and security must keep pace. Reform will not succeed because we announce it. Reform will succeed because supervision becomes stronger, more consistent, and more accountable.”

Referencing His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Eight Pillars for transforming the Force, ranging from justice system integration to digital policing and community partnerships, Minister Walrond underscored that these are “not conference themes or documents for shelves.”

“Their success depends entirely on execution at the station level,” she said. “These pillars will advance or stall based on the quality of your supervision.”

She reminded Inspectors that they determine the standards, ensuring that case files leaving stations are complete, accurate, and court-ready; that technology is used with discipline and accountability; and that traffic and border enforcement remains consistent, impartial, and firm every time.

The Minister emphasised that in 2026, the GPF can no longer operate reactively. Growth, she said, brings heightened risks and weak enforcement creates openings for organised crime.

“In 2026, your leadership must be visible, measurable, and consistent,” she declared. “Investment in this Force is justified not by resources provided, but when crime declines, response times improve, and public confidence strengthens.”

Quoting from Standing Order No. 6, she reminded Inspectors of their statutory duty:
“Standing Order No. 6 is not ceremonial language. It defines your authority and your duty. If enforced consistently, discipline strengthens, performance improves, and public confidence grows.”

Minister Walrond was unequivocal in her stance: “Corruption is not a minor breach; it is a national security threat. Corruption survives where supervision is weak.”

She also issued a stern reminder about the treatment of vulnerable groups: “A Force that fails the vulnerable cannot build trust. Domestic violence and sexual offences must be treated urgently, with victims treated with dignity.”

In closing, Minister Walrond made it clear that the architecture for modern policing is already built, resources, policy, strategy, and presidential direction are all in place.
“What remains is execution, and execution rests with you,” she said. “Performance will not be measured in effort. It will be measured in results.”She ended with a charge to the Inspectors, urging them toward visible, active supervision; court-ready case files; consistent traffic enforcement; proactive disruption of organised crime; and zero tolerance for corruption.

“Inspectors, this is your charge,” Minister Walrond stated as she concluded her address.