Dear Editor,
As the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) celebrates its 60th Anniversary of service, the ‘Building Our Dream Guyana Movement’ is proposing that November 24th, 2025, be observed as a ‘Day of Appreciation for Security and Law Enforcement Officers in Guyana’.
The aim of this day is for members of the public to show appreciation to our security officers, members of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Fire Service, and the Guyana Police Force. Too often, we criticize our security and law enforcement officers, however, we are recommending a day annually for the members of the public to show their appreciation for the service, sacrifices, roles and responsibilities of security and law enforcement officers to our country.
The objectives of this proposed day are: To provide members of the public with an opportunity to express their appreciation to security and law enforcement officers; to create an opportunity to increase the value and generate greater public support for security and law enforcement officers; to build stronger partnerships between members of the public, communities, and security and law enforcement officers; to provide an opportunity for security and law enforcement officers to create greater awareness and educate members of the public on security and law enforcement matters; to provide members of the public to express their appreciation to families of security and law enforcement officers; and to inspire security and law enforcement officers to endeavour to provide the highest level of service to members of the public, communities and to generate greater respect for their organisations.
Expected outcomes from the ‘Day of Appreciation for Security and Law Enforcement Officers’ in Guyana are: Greater appreciation and support from members of the public and communities for security and law enforcement officers; stronger partnerships between members of the public, communities and security and law enforcement officers; greater awareness and more educated members of the public on security and law enforcement matters; greater appreciation by members of the public for families of security and law enforcement officers; increased professionalism and the highest level of service by security and law enforcement officers in the course of their duties and generating greater respect for their organisations.
This can be done by expressing appreciation to: traffic officers doing their duty; neighbours, friends, family members who are security and law enforcement police officers; Guyana Police Force officers; Guyana Defence Force Officers, including those on the borders; Guyana Fire Service officers; businesses placing advertisements in the press expressing their appreciation for a secure business environment; expressing appreciation through community appreciation activities; religious organisations expressing appreciation to their members who are security and law enforcement officers; among others.
‘Building Our Dream Guyana Movement’ is of the view that designating a ‘Day of Appreciation of Security and Law Enforcement Officers’ is necessary for developing a more inclusive, professional and respect for the value of what various groups and organisations in the society contribute to growth and development.
We hope that in 2026, we will be able to organize this day with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant public sector, international, civil society and private sector organisations.