Four new police stations commissioned in Reg. 3

Jul 13, 2025 News

---

 

 

Kaieteur News – Four new police stations and a command centre valued over $533 million were on Saturday commissioned in Region Three, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The police stations were commissioned by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Permanent Secretary Mr. Andre Ally, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ Mr. Errol Watts, and Regional Commander of Region Three, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine.

According to the ministry, the newly reconstructed Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, a state-of-the-art facility built at a cost of $118,735,490 will bolster law enforcement and public safety in the region.

Kaieteur News understands that prior to its reconstruction; the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station was housed in a wooden structure, unsuitable for efficient policing. The facility was reportedly shared with flocks of pigeons, highlighting the urgent need for redevelopment.

Noting that the facility boasts of a comprehensive suite of modern amenities designed to enhance operational efficiency and promote community-centered policing, some of the key features of the station includes male, female, and juvenile Lockups; a witness and ID parade room; an armory and evidence room; a Child-Friendly Interview Area; a dedicated Domestic Violence Interview and Waiting Area; enquiries Section; an Officer-in-Charge (O.C.) Office; a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Office; Traffic Department Office; and Senior and Junior Ranks’ Living Quarters.

Strategically positioned between the Vreed-en-Hoop junction and the speedboat stelling, the station is expected to significantly improve police presence and response time in this high-traffic area, the ministry stated.

Moving further down the West Coast of Demerara, the minister and his team joined ranks at Den Amstel in commissioning the new state-of-the-art police station there.

The ministry said that this facility was reconstructed to the tune of $170,948,990. Similar to the Vreed-en-Hoop facility, the Den Amstel station has been outfitted with modern amenities and specialized spaces designed to support effective policing, improve public service delivery, and enhance the overall safety and well-being of residents.

The ministry said that at the station, “Operational efficiency has also been enhanced with the inclusion of an Officer-in-Charge (O.C.) Office, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Office, and a Traffic Department Office. Notably, the station now houses a ZARA Computer School, which is a unique and forward-looking addition aimed at fostering digital skills and supporting youth engagement. This integration of technology within a police facility highlights the government’s commitment to blending law enforcement with community development initiatives.”

 

 

 

Notably, the ministry shared that before its reconstruction, the Den Amstel Police Station, like several other stations across the country, operated under substandard conditions that hindered effective policing.

Meanwhile, at Tuschen, what use to be a small police outpost, the minister commissioned a new $82,995,706 police station there.

Delivering enhanced law enforcement infrastructure to one of the fastest-growing residential areas in Region Three, the Home Affairs Ministry reported that the new station now offers a full-service, modern facility equipped to meet the security needs of Tuschen and surrounding communities.

Also, the station is expected to improve police visibility, enable faster response to criminal activity, and foster stronger engagement with citizens. The station also includes similar features as that of the Vreed-en-Hoop and Den Amstel facilities.

According to the ministry, during the ceremony, Minister Benn and PS Ally also handed over a consignment of safety helmets to Regional Commander.  The helmets are to be distributed as part of the “Do the Right Thing” campaign, a national road safety initiative that promotes responsible behaviour and greater public awareness, especially among motorcyclists.

At Wakenaam Island, the minister commissioned the new San Souci Police Station which was built at a cost of $130,756,925. This station is set to serve not only Wakenaam but surrounding riverine communities with improved facilities and enhanced law enforcement capabilities.

The ministry provided that at the ceremony, a number of helmets were handed over along with a few donated sports equipment to encourage youth engagement and community wellness, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to proactive, community-centered policing and social development.

As it relates to the Regional Command Centre, the $30,111,863 building was commissioned in the compound of the Divisional Police Headquarters at Leonora.

The Home Affairs Ministry stated that the Command Centre is a vital component in the government’s broader initiative to expand the ‘Safe City to Safe Country’ project.

It should be noted that the Command Centre has been outfitted with several critical spaces to support around-the-clock operations, and these include a Lobby Area for public interface and visitor management; a lunchroom to accommodate staff welfare and break periods; an Equipment Room for storage and maintenance of surveillance and communication tools; a centralized Operations Room serving as the nerve center for monitoring and coordination; Offices for the Officer-in-Charge (OC) and the Second-in-Command (2IC); and a fully equipped Conference Room for strategic planning and multi-agency briefings.

“This new facility is designed to significantly enhance the region’s ability to monitor public spaces, respond swiftly to incidents, and coordinate inter-agency efforts during emergencies or high-risk operations. It aligns with the Government’s nationwide vision of transitioning from localized city-level safety systems to a unified, national infrastructure for public security and law enforcement efficiency,” the ministry mentioned.

Addressing the various commissioning ceremonies, Minister Benn stated that the government is committed to ensuring that every community, whether long-established or newly emerging, has access to quality, professional law enforcement services.

He added that the government continues to prioritize investments in smart infrastructure to ensure that law enforcement agencies are equipped with the tools and environment they need to keep communities secure, proactive, and connected.

---

• Den Amstel Police Station, San Souci Police Station, Tuschen Police Station, Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, Wakenaam Island

---