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$5B for cameras, $3.6B for police stations
– Govt. rolls out massive security spending plan
(Kaieteur News) – Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday unveiled billions of dollars in new security spending, outlining what the government says is a sweeping push to modernise the Guyana Police Force (GPF), expand surveillance coverage, boost community policing, and strengthen crime-fighting capacity nationwide.
In total, $36.2 billion is budgeted to support the activities of the Guyana Police Force in 2026. The total national budget is set at $1.558T. Speaking during his budget presentation in the National Assembly, Singh said the administration has spent the past five years ramping up investments aimed at improving safety, deterring crime and strengthening national security. According to the minister, government has upgraded security infrastructure, acquired modern equipment, expanded training programmes, improved forensic and investigative capabilities, and strengthened intelligence operations through advanced ICT systems. He also pointed to deeper partnerships with regional and international crime-fighting agencies. Singh said the government also honoured commitments to the disciplined services by improving salaries and restoring the one-month tax-free Joint Services bonus.
$36.2 billion is budgeted to support the activities of the Guyana Police Force in 2026.
Singh said steps were also taken to have a modern Guyana Police Force (GPF) capable of intelligence-driven, technology-based, citizen-friendly policing, in which a high degree of public confidence is earned and maintained, and which ensures safe communities and an environment in which businesses and citizens can conduct their daily activities free of fear. “In 2025, the sum of $4.7 billion was expended to advance construction, reconstruction and upgrades to critical security infrastructure which included the completion of 10 police stations, boat houses and living quarters, among other essential facilities. In 2026, $3.6 billion is budgeted to further enhance the infrastructural capacity of the GPF through the following initiatives: advancing the construction of the Brickdam Police Station for which $1.2 billion is budgeted; completing 11 additional police stations in Anna Regina, Bonasika, Leguan, Alberttown, Beterverwagting, East La Penitence, Sisters, Orealla, Ituni, Kwakwani and Mabura for which $475.7 million is budgeted and advancing works on a modern police training academy campus at Dora for which $139.8 million is allocated.
The minister noted that over the next five years, “we will substantially expand police presence within all communities and will commence the design of an automated fleet management system to improve responsiveness. To further expand the Force’s transport capabilities, an additional $900 million is budgeted in 2026.”
Singh said to take full advantage of some of the most advanced and sophisticated modern equipment and innovative technology, a total of $6.2 billion was spent in 2025 to expand investigative and surveillance expertise through the Safe Country Initiative. To date, a total of 781 Intelligent Video Surveillance (IVS) sites were completed in priority areas in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. These have proven to be most useful in the detection of criminal acts as well as improve safety, and security. “In 2026, a sum of $5 billion is earmarked for the continuation of this initiative.
Community Policing
In the area of community policing, Dr. Singh said this year government will continue to expand community policing networks to deepen public trust for safer communities. “This will be supported by the development and implementation of digital platforms, institutional engagements, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. To this end, the sum of $245.8 million is budgeted.”
In 2026, Dr.s Singh said “we will continue to focus our efforts on the continuous professional development of ranks with the allocation of $250 million towards training of 5,000 ranks. Other initiatives include the strengthening of supervisory and accountability practices of the force to ensure the integrity and accountability of personnel by transitioning into a merit-based system of performance assessments that prioritises demonstrated competence and professionalism of ranks,” Singh said.
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