New Home Affairs Minister to push for increased confidence in police force, fire service

Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, 21:34 by Writer

New Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond says one of her priority areas is to see that there is increased confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

Acknowledging that the portfolio, which includes police, prisons, fire service, Customs Anti-Narcotics, and the General Registry Unity is a “weighty” one, she said among her first tasks is embarking on a fact-finding mission. “First and foremost for me is restoring the confidence in some segments of our society that has broken down as it relates to the police force, fire service; just finding out at the initial stages what might have contributed to that and try to build back systems that ensures confidence, that brings out proper delivery of those services to our citizens,” said Ms Walrond, a lawyer by profession and a former magistrate.

The Home Affairs Minister, who replaced Mr Robeson Benn in the new Cabinet following the September 1 general and regional elections, said the government would be working to ensure that citizens feel “safe and secure” and let them know that “we have a no-nonsense approach to crime-fighting.”

Ms Walrond also wants to see passport and immigration services being delivered more efficiently. “The work has already started but it’s to continue to really start to see the difference in how those services are being delivered,” she said.

Asked how she sees corruption in the GPF being addressed, the Home Affairs Minister said she would take some time to look at that issue because it is “quite a nuanced one” because not all members of that civilian law enforcement agency are corrupt. “As it relates specifically to the Police Force, I will have to take a look at where it is exactly, where the systems are more prone to corruption and then we’ll try to eliminate it,” Ms Walrond added. She also said she would examine concerns that the rules and laws were not being applied evenly.

Former Home Affairs Minister Benn has been appointed a special advisor on Home Affairs and Natural Resources.