Promotion within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) must be based on officers’ service, leadership abilities and disciplinary records, rather than simply their years on the job.

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond said on Sunday that clear promotion standards are key to strengthening integrity and professionalism within the force.

“Every police officer should conduct their job with integrity and professionalism,” she said on the ‘Starting Point’ podcast.

The minister explained that officers seeking promotion should be assessed on their performance and conduct, with their records demonstrating whether they were suited for leadership.

Any infraction should be documented and placed on an officer’s file so it could be considered when decisions are made about career advancement.

The force, she said, is creating career pathways for professionals, including engineers, lawyers, doctors, psychologists and mechanics. However, advancement should not be automatic.

“It should come on the basis of merit,” the minister emphasised. “There are many, many hardworking and dedicated men and women in uniform, and the misconduct of a few should not overshadow the sacrifice of so many other officers.“