Financial Crime World

Guyana’s Police Force Still Lacking in Trust and Effectiveness

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - A recent poll has revealed that the Guyanese Police Force (GPF) remains the least trusted institution in Guyana, with a trust score lower than any other police force in the Americas. This finding is part of a larger trend of low trust in institutions among Afro-Guyanese individuals.

Low Trust Scores

According to the Latin American Public Opinion Poll (LAPOP) 2014 survey, only 35.4% of respondents expressed trust in the police force, citing poor treatment by officers and a lack of respect for citizens’ rights as reasons for their distrust. The GPF’s response time was also found to be among the longest in the region.

Structural Problems

Despite some improvement in early 2016, experts caution that genuine community-police relations require more than just political leadership changes. Structural problems, such as poor training and inadequate resources, must also be addressed.

Crime Data Collection

The poll also highlighted the need for better crime data collection and analysis. Guyana’s police forces do not always collect comprehensive crime statistics, making it difficult to understand where and how to target interventions. The lack of reliable data is a major obstacle to effective crime prevention and suppression.

Regional Concerns

The situation is particularly concerning in the country’s hinterland regions, where little to no crime data is available. A recent IDB survey on Crime and Violence in Indigenous Peoples’ Communities will provide valuable insights into crime patterns in these areas.

Consequences of Low Trust

Experts warn that low trust in institutions can have serious consequences for Guyana’s development. To address this issue, policymakers must prioritize four key areas:

  • Reliable crime data collection
  • Police training and community engagement
  • Judicial reform
  • Prison reform

Key Findings

  • The GPF had the lowest trust score of any police force in the Americas.
  • Only 17.2% of respondents believed that the police respected citizens’ rights in 2010.
  • In 2014, the GPF had the longest response time in the region other than Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
  • In 2016, 44% of respondents reported that it would take at least an hour for the police to respond to a call.

Recommendations

  1. Reliable, comprehensive, and continuously collected crime data
  2. Police training and community engagement
  3. Judicial reform
  4. Prison reform

The Guyanese government must take concrete steps to address these pressing issues if it hopes to improve trust in institutions and reduce violence within communities.