The Guyana Police Force on Monday launched a three-day anti-corruption workshop aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and professionalism within the organisation.
The Anti-Corruption Workshop 2026 opened at the Officers’ Training Centre at Camp Road, Eve Leary, and is scheduled to run until Wednesday, March 25. The initiative brings together 23 police officers for specialised training under the U.S.-U.K. Criminal Justice Reform Programme, a joint effort involving the United States Embassy in Georgetown and the British High Commission in Georgetown.
In brief remarks at the opening, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken underscored the need for ethical leadership and responsible use of authority within the Force.
Quoting former United States President Abraham Lincoln, Hicken told participants: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” He said the message speaks directly to the level of responsibility borne by officers in positions of authority and to the importance of sound judgment in policing.
The workshop is being facilitated by regional and international experts, including Sirah Abraham, Advisor to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, as well as Alex Ferguson and Nigel Parke of Jamaica’s Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency.
According to the Guyana Police Force, participants will undergo training in anti-corruption practices, Guyana’s legal framework for investigations and offences, and asset recovery. The sessions are intended to boost both operational effectiveness and investigative capacity among ranks.
The training forms part of a wider international programme focused on strengthening criminal justice systems in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with emphasis on policy development, legislative support, and institutional reform.
For the Guyana Police Force, the workshop marks another step in efforts to reinforce institutional integrity through targeted training and international cooperation. Officials say the programme is part of a broader push to build a more transparent, accountable and professional police service.
