$84M Security Command Centre for Police Force next year

The Ministry of Public Telecommunications is collaborating with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to curb crime in Guyana through the intervention of an Intelligent Surveillance System. This forms part of the Safe City Component of the National Broadband Project.

According to the Ministry of Finance’s Mid-year report, a command centre will be established for the Force in the first quarter of 2020. The sum of $84M has been allocated for its construction and bids for the required civil works are currently being evaluated – opening doors to employment and improved protection of Guyana’s citizens.

In the interim, the current command centre is being housed at the National Data Management Authority’s (NDMA) Network Operations Centre.

The initiative was made possible through collaboration between the governments of Guyana and China more than two years ago, which saw the installation of over 100 Surveillance Systems (CCTV cameras) at various selected sites.

The report also stated that together with the expansion of the security infrastructure, ten long term evolution (LTE) towers were upgraded with new radios particularly for the security sector and permission is being sought to utilise seven towers from the local telecommunications company to install the remaining LTE equipment.

The initiative will accommodate the use of broadband handsets by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), allowing for additional information to be channeled to the command centre. Also completed is the outfitting of 48 coastal LTE towers with microwave equipment to double the available bandwidth.

Additionally, 11 fire stations, 7 police stations, and a training centre were provided internet access through the e-Government network aimed to improved productivity, efficiency and delivery of public service. (Extracted and modified from Department of Public Information)