The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and French authorities have taken another major step toward building a coordinated regional security network, following high-level discussions in Georgetown between Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and a visiting French delegation led by France’s Ambassador to Guyana, Olivier Plançon. The talks centred on tightening cross-border cooperation and developing new tools to tackle transnational crime across the Guyana Shield.
With both countries confronting similar threats such as narcotrafficking, illegal mining, human trafficking, arms smuggling and increasing irregular migration, officials focused on creating a more unified response that draws on the capabilities of both Police Forces.
During the meeting, French and Guyanese officers examined ways to sharpen investigative collaboration, especially in fast-moving cases that require real-time intelligence sharing. They also explored new avenues for operational support, from coordinated alerts to joint responses in cases affecting both jurisdictions.
A major component of the talks was the advancement of a proposed Memorandum of Understanding, which would formally guide long-term cooperation. Once signed, it is expected to support structured information exchange, joint operations and sustained security coordination.
Both sides also discussed practical steps to deepen their partnership, including technical exchanges, visits to police units, and improved familiarity with each other’s systems. Strengthening digital tools and modern policing technology formed another major focus, with discussions on data systems, border-control technologies and investigative software.
Capacity building was highlighted as a priority area, starting with specialised training in the detection of fraudulent travel documents. This training will expose officers to the security features of Guyanese, French and EU documents, as well as methods used by criminal networks to forge them.
The GPF emphasised that the partnership is critical at a time when new travel routes including the recent direct flight between Georgetown and Amsterdam are expected to increase illegal migration attempts and related criminal activity.
The meeting saw attendance from several senior GPF officials, underscoring the Force’s commitment to stronger regional and international partnerships. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to deepen cooperation as they work to confront shared security challenges across the region.
