The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and a high-level French delegation have taken a significant step toward strengthening bilateral security ties following a strategic meeting on Tuesday between Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and France’s Ambassador to Guyana, Olivier Plançon.
The French team included Police Commander Jean-Michel Canestrier and collaborator Maxence Kauffmann. Senior leaders of the GPF—Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Ravindradat Budhram, Senior Superintendent Bharat Persaud, Senior Superintendent Dr. Nicola Kendall, and Superintendent Jewel Sullivan—also participated.
According to a GPF release, both sides praised their “mature and effective” working relationship, highlighting the recent joint operation involving fraudulent French passports as a successful example of cross-border cooperation.
Commander Canestrier, the French Regional Security Adviser for Guyana and Suriname, engaged in what the GPF described as “detailed discussions on strengthening operational partnerships,” emphasising the need for sustained joint action.
Formal MOU Proposed
One of the major outcomes was the proposal to establish a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the GPF and French authorities. The MOU would institutionalise the cooperation framework, supporting long-term collaboration in key security areas and boosting coordinated efforts against cross-border criminal activity.
Enhanced Intelligence Sharing
Both sides agreed to accelerate intelligence and investigative cooperation. Discussions included plans for:
- Real-time information sharing
- Cross-border alerts
- Coordinated investigative support
These improvements aim to enhance responses to transnational criminal networks active across Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
Joint Training & Facility Exchanges
The meeting explored upcoming joint visits to facilities in both jurisdictions to exchange best practices, compare operational systems, and strengthen integrated policing approaches.
Early on, joint training will target identity-fraud detection—one of the most pressing regional challenges. Initial sessions will cover:
- Security features of Guyanese, French, and EU travel documents
- Methods used to produce and detect fraudulent documents
- Investigative techniques for document-fraud cases
A broader training schedule is in development.
Focus on Digital Transformation
With both forces advancing modernisation agendas, digitalisation was a key topic. Planned cooperation includes:
- Upgraded investigative technologies
- Improved data-management systems
- Enhanced border-security tools
Shared Regional Threats
Officials noted that Guyana and French Guiana confront many of the same security threats across the Guyana Shield, including:
- Narco-trafficking
- Gold smuggling
- Human trafficking
- Arms trafficking
- Illegal immigration
Concerns were also raised about a potential increase in illegal migration with the recent launch of direct flights between Georgetown and Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest transit hubs.
In its statement, the GPF reaffirmed its commitment to strong regional and international partnerships to strengthen public safety and disrupt organised criminal networks.
