Walrond warns of fragile trust in GPF, underscores zero-tolerance for malpractice

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond has noted declining public confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), underscoring a firm zero-tolerance approach to misconduct among officers.

She made the remarks whilst delivering an address during the GPF’s Christmas Awards Ceremony today.

“We must confront an uncomfortable truth,” she said. “Public trust in fragile. One act of misconduct can undo months of hard work,” the minister admitted.

While she acknowledged that there are many honest and hard working officers within the GPF, Walrond noted that “we have seen incidents where individual malpractice cast a shadow over the institution”.

Against this backdrop, the minister made it clear that “there will be zero tolerance for malpractice, abuse of authority or any behaviour that dishonours this uniform”.

She noted that every officer must commit to the highest standards of integrity, accountability and service. “The people of Guyana deserve nothing less”.

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, in his remarks at the ceremony, revealed that for the year, 20 police officers have been criminally charged and placed before the courts.

Just recently, a Police Constable from Region One (Barima-Waini) was remanded to prison after he was caught on video brandishing and indiscriminately firing an AK-47 in public while threatening to shoot civilians.

The video, which was released on various social media platforms, showed the cop in a drunken state, dressed in civilian attire, threatening to shoot civilians.

Police Constable remanded on ‘possession of firearm with intent to injure’ charge