Crimefighting in Guyana is expected to become easier as the government moves to boost the state’s law enforcement apparatus with a biometric programme.
Making this disclosure recently was the country’s Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo. He noted that this transformative initiative, unveiled as part of an overarching security master plan, aims to revolutionize the tracking of individuals with criminal records and overstayers.
Jagdeo emphasized the comprehensive nature of the plan, spanning beyond mere infrastructure development to include advancements in police training, technology, and environmental upgrades.
He was at the time defending his government’s ambitious plan to construct a 12-storey building on Brickdam in the nation’s capital, Georgetown. It will be built on the plot of land that housed the Brickdam Police Station, which was ravaged by fire two years ago.
Drawing inspiration from global models like Scotland Yard, Jagdeo said that the police station is envisioned as a multifunctional “nerve center”, equipped with cutting-edge technology and supported by state-of-the-art forensic labs. With security cameras incorporating facial recognition software already in progress, the biometric project is poised to empower law enforcement to pinpoint the exact location of individuals with criminal records.
“We’re working on a biometric project that would allow us to know where every criminal in Guyana who has a record is…We can pinpoint where they are at any moment in time. Through facial recognition software, we’d be able to track every person who comes into our country who overstays their visa or anything else. All of that being worked at a different piece. So, it is not just a building we are putting up there. It is a plan we are rolling out,” he said.
The new building is being constructed by R. Bassoo & Sons Construction Company in partnership with Qingjian Group Guyana Limited and will also be outfitted with modern fire prevention mechanisms. Notably, the building will also be able to withstand 5.0 magnitude earthquake. The project is expected to be completed within 30 months.
