GPF, French Authorities Advance Bilateral Security Cooperation

November 26, 2025-

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and French authorities have taken significant steps toward strengthening bilateral security collaboration following a high-level meeting on Tuesday between Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, senior GPF officers, and a French delegation led by Olivier Plançon, Ambassador of France in Guyana.

The delegation also included French Police Commander Jean-Michel Canestrier and his collaborator, Maxence Kauffmann.

Building on an Already Strong Partnership Commander Canestrier, who serves as the French Regional Security Adviser for Guyana and Suriname, joined GPF leadership in detailed discussions aimed at deepening operational ties.

Both parties highlighted the strength of their existing partnership, noting recent successful cooperation in a case involving French fake passports. Officials underscored the need to maintain and expand joint action to effectively address shared security challenges.

Proposal for a Formal Memorandum of Understanding

A major focus of the meeting was a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the French and Guyana Police Forces. Once signed, the MoU would formalize the framework for sustained cooperation across critical security domains.

Enhanced Information Sharing and Operational Coordination

Discussions also centered on improving systems for joint operational response, including real-time information exchange, cross-border alerts, and strengthened investigative support. These measures are intended to boost the efficiency and effectiveness of collaborative responses to criminal activity affecting both jurisdictions.

Joint Visits and Technical Exchanges

Plans were explored for joint visits to police facilities in both territories. These exchanges would allow each side to study the other’s policing systems, technical capabilities, and best practices, paving the way for more coordinated operations.

Advancing Police Digitalization and Modernization

The delegation also examined opportunities for collaboration in modernizing policing tools and systems, ranging from investigative technologies and data management platforms to border security enhancements.

Training in Fake Document Detection

Capacity-building initiatives featured prominently in the talks. The two sides agreed to begin with targeted training on detecting fraudulent documents. This programme will cover identification features of Guyanese, French, and European Union travel and identity documents, methods used in the creation of fake documents, and investigative techniques for such cases. A broader training plan will be finalized in the coming months.

Shared Security Challenges Across the Guyana Shield

Both countries noted that they face similar transnational threats across the Guyana Shield, including narcotrafficking, gold smuggling, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and illegal immigration. Officials also highlighted concerns that illegal migration may rise following the recent introduction of direct flights between Georgetown and Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s major travel hubs. Strengthened cooperation, they agreed, will be essential to effectively monitor and counter these threats.

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Ravindradat Budhram; Finance Officer Senior Superintendent Bharat Persaud; Head of the Strategic Planning & Implementation Unit for Police Reform, Senior Superintendent Dr. Nicola Kendall; and Second-in-Command (Administration), Superintendent Jewel Sullivan.

The GPF reaffirmed its commitment to advancing strong regional and international partnerships, emphasizing that deeper collaboration with French authorities will enhance security and public safety for citizens across both nations.