Home Affairs minster tells police top brass to tackle corruption, be decisive

The Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, on Wednesday instructed the leadership of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to tackle corruption in that law enforcement agency, and signaled her impatience with poor decision-making and misconduct.

“Corruption must be dealt with firmly. Show zero tolerance. Do not look the other way. Be fearless in confronting it,” she was quoted as saying in a Home Affairs ministry statement following her meeting with the GPF’s executive leadership team and divisional commanders.

Her charge came less than one week after the GPF acknowledged that video surveillance recordings and other evidence proved that a number of police officers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) had demanded money from a passenger for the release of her property.  Since then, the GPF has not provided an update on the status of the investigations, despite a number of enquiries.

Senior Superintendent Himnauth Sawh, who was the Region One (Barima-Waini) Commander at the time of the discovery of 4.4 tonnes of cocaine in a makeshift bunker, remains on administrative leave since June, 2025 when he, three Guyanese civilians and two Colombians were sanctioned by the United States (U.S.) Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Ms Walrond also signaled her government’s impatience with ineffective leadership of the police force, suggesting that there could be changes in order to provide improved public safety and trust. Minister Walrond declared, “This is the moment for decisive leadership. The people will not wait, and neither will I.”

In what the Home Affairs ministry called a “tough charge” to the Force’s leadership, the Minister identified the need for stronger discipline, integrity, and accountability. “Leadership must be by example. If discipline is weak at the top, it will collapse below. Tighten discipline, strengthen performance, and rebuild trust,” she was also quoted as saying.