Chapter 16:01 - Police (Guyana)

Chapter 16:01 - Police

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L.R.O. 1/2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
POLICE ACT
CHAPTER 16:01
Act
39 of 1957
Amended by
O. 98/1975
O. 100/1975
1 – 50 ... 1 / 2012 (inclusive) by L.R.O.
Pages Authorised
Current Authorised Pages
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Index
of
Subsidiary Legislation
Page
Police (Remuneration for executing Warrants) Order

49
(O. 100/1975)
Rural Constables (fees and allowances) Order
50
(O. 98/1975)
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CHAPTER 16:01
POLICE ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
PART II
CONSTITUTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE FORCE
3. Designation and objects of the Force.
4. Composition of the Force.
5. Appointment of officers and inspectors.
6. Duties of the Commissioner.
7. Duties of the Deputy Commissioner.
8. Duties of the assistant commissioners.
9. Duties of other officers.
10. Officers to be justices of the peace.
11. Appointment of subordinate officers and constables.
12. Employment of the Force as a Military Force.
PART III
OATH
13. Oath of office.

PART IV
RIGHTS, POWERS, ETC., OF MEMBER SO F TH E FORCE
14. Rights, powers, etc., of members of the Force.
15. General powers of members of the Force.
16. Power to arrest without warrant.
17. Duty to assist members of the Force.
18. Power to stop, search or detain aircraft, vessels, vehicles or persons
in certain circumstances.
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SECTION
19. Powers of members of the Force in command of Police boats.
20. Bail of person arrested without a warrant.
21. Arrest of person on a warrant.
22. Indorsement of process.
23. Service of process.
24. Action against member of the Force acting in obedience to a warrant.
25. Power to take measurements, photographs, and fingerprints.
26. Road barriers.
PART V
POLICE DIVISIONS AND BUILDINGS
27. Boundaries of police divisions and sub-divisions.
28. Provision of buildings for the Force.
PART VI
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF SUBORDINATE OFFICERS AND
CONSTABLES APPOINT ED BY THE COMMISSIONER
29. Constable on joining to be on probation.
30. Apprentices in the band.
31. Engaging in trade or business.
32. Provision of hospital accommodation and treatment.
PART VII
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE FORCE
33. Withdrawal from the Force.
34. Discharge.
35. Retiring age.
36. Prolongation of service in certain cases.
37. Aiding in illegal withdrawal from the Force.

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SECTION
PART VIII
OFFENCES
38. Entertaining inspector, subordinate officer or constable on duty.
39. Causing disaffection, etc., amongst members of the Force.
40. Surrender of articles on death.
41. Improper possession of articles supplied.
42. Personation of member of the Force.
PART IX
POLICE ASSOCIATION
43. Constitution of Police Association.
44. Police Association rules.
45. Definitions.
46. Members of the Force not to join prohibited associations.
47. Prohibition of member of the Force receiving benefits from prohibited
associations.
PART XI
PENSIONS
48. Award of pensions.
49. Leave of absence on military duty.
50. Saving.
51. Retirement.
52. Preservation of pension rights on secondment or temporary transfer.
53. Interpretation of “constable”.
PART XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
54. Arms, clothing and equipment.
55. Protection of inspectors, subordinate officers and constables from civil
process for debt.

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SECTION
56. Liability of inspector, subordinate officer or constable for
maintenance of wife and children.
57. Funeral expenses of a member of the Force dying while serving.
58. Prosecution and procedure.
59. Right of officer, inspector, subordinate officer to prosecute police
cases.
60. Grant of special award.
61. Sale of unclaimed articles in the hands of the Force.
62. Power to make orders with respect to property in possession of police.
63. Definition of Chief Officer.
64. Remuneration of certain members of the Force for executing warrants.
PART XIII
SPECIAL CONSTABULARY
65. Designation and objects of Special Constabulary.
66. Commissioner to command the Special Constabulary.
67. Appointment of officers.
68. Appointment of inspectors, subordinate officers and con- stables.
69. Refusal to take Oath.
70. Clothing and equipment.
71. Resignation.
72. Discipline, authority and pay.
73. Member of Special Constabulary to remain in his division when called
out for full-time service.
74. Offences.
75. Illness, bodily injury and death.
PART XIV
SUPERNUMERARY CONSTABLES, SUBORDINATE OFFICERS,
INSPECTORS AND OFFICERS
76. Supernumerary constables, subordinate officers, inspectors and
officers.

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SECTION
PART XV
RURAL CONSTABU LARY
77. Interpretation.
78. Establishment of rural constabulary.
79. Objects of the rural constabulary.
80. Powers of officers of the Force.
81. Appointment of inspectors in divisions.
82. Number and distribution of the rural constabulary.
83. Precept of appointment and oath of office.
84. General powers and duties.
85. Liability for full-time service.
86. Illness, bodily injury and death.
87. Remuneration of rural constables.
88. Resignation.
89. Surrender of appointments of rural constable on resignation or
dismissal.
90. Surrender of appointments of rural constable upon death.
91. Bodily injury to rural constable.
92. Granting of special reward for apprehension of criminal.
PART XVI
REGULATIONS
93. Regulations.
PART XVII
GENERAL
94. Application of Regulations and General orders.
SCHEDULE— Table of fees and allowances payable to rural constables.
__________________________

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39 of 1957 An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to the
Guyana Police Force.
[10TH AUGUST, 1957]
Short title.

Interpretation.
[4 of 1972
18 of 1977]
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. This Act may be cited as the Police Act.
2. (1) In this Act—
“aircraft” means any machine for flying, whether propelled
by mechanical means or not, and includes any
description of balloon;
“assistant commissioner” means an assistant commissioner of
police;
“band” means the police band of musicians;
“bandmaster” means the officer specially appointed to have
command of the band and responsible therefore to the
Commissioner;
“bandsman” means a member of the Force appointed solely
for duty in the band;
“branch” means a part of the Force;
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Police;
“communications officer” means the officer specially
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POLICE ACT
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appointed to maintain the efficiency of the wireless
telegraphy system in use in the Force and responsible
therefore to the Commissioner;
“constable” means a member of the Force below the rank of
corporal;
“corporal”, “sergeant” and “station sergeant” mean a
corporal, sergeant and station sergeant of police
respectively;
“Deputy Commissioner” means a Deputy Commissioner of
Police;
“division” or “sub-division” means a police division or sub-
division respectively into which Guyana may be divided
by order of the Commissioner under section 28;
“finance officer” means the officer specially appointed to
control the finances of the Force and responsible
therefore to the Commissioner;
“inspector” includes a Chief Inspector of Police, an Inspector
of Police and a Sub-Inspector of Police;
“member of the Force” includes officer s, inspector s,
subordinate officers, constables and rural constables, and,
during the period that they are called out for full-time
service, special constables;
“officer” means a member of the Force holding a rank senior
to that of Chief Inspector;
“quartermaster” means the officer specially appointed to
control the receipt and issue of all stores and responsible
therefore to the Commissioner;
“regulations” mean regulations made under section 93;
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“senior superintendent”, “superintendent”, “deputy
superintendent”, “assistant superintendent” and “cadet
officer” mean a senior superintendent of police, a
superintendent of police, a deputy superintendent of
police, an assistant superintendent of police and a
cadet officer of police respectively;
“stores” means any article, equipment, merchandise or
commodity required for the use of the Force;
“subordinate officer” means a member of the Force other
than a constable below the rank of sub-inspector;
“superintendent of police” includes a senior superintendent
of police, a superintendent of police, a deputy
superintendent of police and an assistant superintendent
of police;
“the Force” or “the Police Force” means the Police Force
established under this Act;
“transport officer” means the officer specially appointed to
ensure the efficient maintenance of all vehicles and
vessels belonging to the Force and responsible therefore
to the Commissioner;
“vehicle” means a vehicle of any kind used on a road;
“vessel” means any ship, sloop, boat, bateau, canoe, corial,
punt, scow, or any other kind of craft whatsoever.
(2) The Minister may, where in any particular case
the facts so warrant, direct, by notice published in the
Gazette, that the designation of any person appointed as
bandmaster under this Act shall be Director of Music.

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Designation
and objects of
the Force.

Composition of
the Force.
[18 of 1977]

Appointment
of officers and
inspectors.
Duties of the
Commissioner.
PART II
CONSTITUTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE FORCE
3. (1) There shall be established in Guyana a Police
Force to be known as the Guyana Police Force.
(2) The Force shall be employed for the
prevention and detection of crime, the preservation of law
and order, the preservation of the peace, the repression of
internal disturbance, the protection of property, the
apprehension of offenders and the due enforcement of all
laws and regulations with which it is directly charged
and shall perform such military duties within Guyana as may
be required of it by or under the authority of the Minister.
(3) It shall be lawful for the Minister to cause to be
issued arms and ammunition to the Force and for any
member thereof to use the same for the purposes outlined in
subsection (2).
4. The Force shall consist of a Commissioner, and
such number of Deputy Commissioners, assistant
commissioners, senior superintendents, superintendents,
deputy superintendents, assistant superintendents, cadet
officers, finance officers, quartermasters, communications
officers, transport officers, bandmasters, inspectors,
subordinate officers, constables, bandsmen and band
apprentices as the Minister may from time to time direct.
5. There shall be such officers and inspectors as are
necessary for the purposes of this Act.
6. (1) The Commissioner shall, subject to the general
orders and directions of the Minister, have the command and
superintendence of the Force, and he shall be responsible to
the Minister for peace and good order throughout Guyana,
for the efficient administration and government of the
Force, and for the proper expenditure of all public moneys
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Duties of a
Deputy
Commissioner.
[18 of 1977]
Duties of the
assistant com-
missioners.
Duties of other
officers.

Officers to be
justices of the
peace.

Appointment
of subordinate
officers and
constables

appropriated for the service thereof.
(2) The Commissioner shall have his headquarters
in Georgetown.
7. The Deputy Commissioners shall act as principal
assistants to the Commissioner in the performance of his
duties and, subject to the Constitution, shall have power
when so authorised by him to do or suffer any act or thing
which may by law be done or suffered by the Commissioner.
8. The assistant commissioners shall perform such
duties as the Commissioner may direct.
9. All other officers of the Force shall be stationed in
such divisions or attached to such branches as the
Commissioner may direct and they shall perform such duties
as the Commissioner may direct.
10. (1) Ever y officer shall ex officio be a justice of the
peace in and for the whole of Guyana and he shall take the
oaths required to be taken by justices of the peace.
(2) As such justice every officer shall at all times
act ministerially for the purpose of the preservation of the
peace, the prevention of crime and the detection and
committal of offenders, but he shall not in any way act
judicially as a justice, either in any court or in any manner.
11. (1) There shall be such number of subordinate
officers and constables as may be required and the
Commissioner may determine the duties to be performed by
such subordinate officers and constables.
(2) The classes of constables and the number in
each class shall be such as the Minister may from time to time
direct.

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Employment
of the Force
as a military
Force.
[24/1966A]
12. (1)Subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section shall
have effect only by virtue of a proclamation made, in the
event of war or other emergency, by the President, directing
that the said subsections shall come into operation; and when
such a proclamation is made the said subsections shall come
into operation on such date as may be specified in the
proclamation, shall continue in operation until a further
proclamation directing that they shall cease to have effect is
made by the Minister, and shall then cease to have effect
except in respect of things previously done or omitted to have
been done.
(2) The Force, or any part thereof specified in any
proclamation as aforesaid, shall be a military force liable to be
employed on military duties in the defence of Guyana, and
members of the Force to whom the proclamation applies shall
hold, in addition to their police ranks under this Act , such
military ranks as may be determined b y regulations made by
the Minister.
The Minister may make regulations for the
administration of the Force or part thereof serving as a
military force, and generally for giving effect to this section
and for those purposes may by such regulations modify or
amend the provisions of this Act (other than this section).
Subject to such regulations, members of the Force to whom
the proclamation applies shall continue to be subject to this
Act except so far as the provisions thereof conflict, or are
inconsistent, with any provisions of the Defence Act for the
time being applicable by virtue of the next following
subsection.
(3) Subject to such regulations as aforesaid, the
provisions of the Defence Act for the time being in force with
respect to discipline shall apply to a military force constituted
under this section.
(4) When any member of the Force is killed on
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Oath of office.

actual military service, or dies from wounds or disease
contracted on actual military service, provision may be made
out of moneys provided by Parliament for his wife and family
in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Minister.
PART III
OATH
13. (1)Every officer, inspector, subordinate officer and
constable shall on his appointment to the Force, take and
subscribe the oath following that is to say—
I, .........................., do swear that I will well and truly serve
the State of Guyana in the office of ............................ and
in such other office in the Police Force as I may at any
time here-after be appointed to, without favour or
affection, malice or ill-will, and that I will cause the
public peace to be kept and preserved by preventing to
the utmost of my power all offences against the same;
and that while I continue to hold any office in the Force I
will obey all orders of the persons placed in authority
over me, subject myself to all Acts and regulations
relating to the Police and I will to the best of my skill and
knowledge discharge all the duties of my office faithfully
according to law.
So help me God.
(2) Such oath shall be taken by the Commissioner
before the President and by every other officer, inspector,
subordinate officer and constable before the Commissioner,
the Deputy Commissioner or any assistant commissioner.
PART IV
RIGHTS, POWERS, ETC., OF MEMBERS OF THE FORCE
14. Every member of the Force, so long as he
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Rights, powers
etc., of
members of the
Force.
General powers
of members of
the Force.

Power to arrest
without
warrant.
continues to be a member thereof, shall have all such rights,
powers, authorities, privileges and immunities and shall be
liable to all such duties, responsibilities and penalties as any
member of the Force duly appointed now has or is subject or
liable to, either by the common law or by virtue of any law
which now is or may hereafter be in force in Guyana.
15. Where, in any enactment, powers are conferred
upon members of the Force of a certain rank, such powers
may lawfully be exercised by members of the Force of any
higher rank.
16. (l) It shall be lawful for any member of the Force to
arrest without a warrant—
(a) any person who commits in his view
an offence punishable either upon
indictment or upon summary
conviction; or
(b) any person whom any other person
charges with having committed a
felony or misdemeanour; or
(c) any person whom any other person—
(i) suspects of having committed a
felony or misdemeanour, or
(ii) charges with having committed
an offence punishable on
summary conviction, if such
other person is willing to
accompany the member of the
Force effecting the arrest to the
police station and to enter into
a recognisance to prosecute
such charge; or

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Duty to assist
members of the
Force.
[6 of 1997]

Power to stop,
search or detain
aircraft, vessels,
vehicles or
(d) any person whom such member of
the Force finds disturbing the public
peace; or
(e) any person whom he has good cause
to suspect of having committed or
being about to commit any felony,
misdemeanour or breach of the peace;
or
(f) any person whom he finds between
the hours of eight o’clock in the
evening and five o’clock in the
morning lying or loitering in a
highway, yard, or other place and not
able to give a satisfactory account of
himself.
(2) Without prejudice to the powers conferred
upon a member of the Force by the last preceding subsection,
it shall be lawful for any member of the Force, and for any
person whom he shall call to his assistance, to arrest without
warrant any person who within the view of any such member
of the Force shall offend in any manner against any law and
whose name and address shall be unknown to such member
of the Force and cannot be ascertained by him.
17. Any member of the Force may call on any person
to assist him if, while acting in the execution of his duty, he is
resisted or assaulted, or is otherwise in need of assistance, and
anyone so called on who, without reasonable excuse, refuses
or neglects to render assistance shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine of nine thousand seven hundred and fifty
dollars or to imprisonment for three months.
18. Any member of the Force may stop, search and
detain any aircraft, vessel or vehicle in or upon which there
shall be reason to suspect that anything stolen or unlawfully
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persons in
certain
circumstances.
Powers of
members of the
Force in
command of
police boats

Bail of person
arrested
without a
warrant.
obtained, or that any person suspected of having committed
any indictable offence, may be found; and he may also stop,
search and detain any person who may be reasonably
suspected of having or conveying in any manner anything
stolen or unlawfully obtained.
19. It shall be lawful for any member of the Force in
command of any police boat to enter, with one or more of the
men employed on such boat, on board any vessel in any bay,
roadstead, or river and to remain on board such vessel for
such reasonable time as he may deem expedient, and, if he
has reasonable ground to suspect that there is on board any
such vessel any property stolen or unlawfully obtained or any
article prohibited to be imported or exported, it shall be
lawful for him to search with any assistance any and every
part of such vessel, and, after demand and refusal of the keys,
to break open any receptacle, and, upon discovery of any
property which he may reasonably suspect to have been
stolen or unlawfully obtained or any article prohibited to be
imported or exported, to take such property or article and the
person in whose possession the same is found before any
magistrate to be dealt with according to law; and it shall be
lawful for any such member of the Force to pursue and detain
any person in the act of conveying any such property or
article away from any such vessel, whether he has landed or
not, together with any property or article so conveyed away
or found in his possession.
20. When a person is arrested without a warrant he
shall be taken before a magistrate as soon as practicable after
he is taken into custody:
Provided that any member of the Force for the time being
in charge of a police station may enquire into the case and—
(a) except when the case appears to such
member of the Force to be of a serious
nature, may release such person upon
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Arrest of
person on a
warrant.
[4 of 1972]

Endorsement
of process.
his entering into a recognisance, with
or without sureties, for a reasonable
amount to appear before a magistrate
at the time, date and place
mentioned in the recognisance; or
(b) if it appears to such member of the
Force that such enquiry cannot be
completed forthwith, he may release
such person on his entering into a
recognisance, with or without sureties
for a reasonable amount, to appear at
such police station and at such times
as are mentioned in the recognisance,
unless he previously receives
notice in writing from the officer in
charge of that police station that his
attendance is not required and any
such bond may be enforced as if it
were a recognisance conditional for
the appearance of the said person
before the magistrate.
21. (l) Any warrant lawfully issued to a member of the
Force for apprehending a person may be executed by any
member of the Force at any time notwithstanding that the
warrant is not then in his possession, but the warrant, on the
demand of the person apprehended, shall be shown to him as
soon as practicable after his arrest.
(2) Any other warrant lawfully issued to any
member of the Force may be executed only by a member of
the Force having it in his possession at the time it is executed
and on the demand of the person affected thereby it shall be
then shown to that person or at any time thereafter.
22. When any writ, warrant, order, or summons of
any magistrate or justice of the peace is delivered or given to
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Service of
process.

Action against
member of the
Force acting in
obedience to a
warrant.

Power to take
measurements,
photographs
and finger-
a constable, he shall if time permits, show or deliver it to the
officer, inspector or subordinate officer of the Force under
whose immediate command he then is, and the officer,
inspector or subordinate officer shall, if necessary,
nominate and appoint by endorsement thereon, any assistant
or assistants to him, the officer, inspector or subordinate
officer thinks proper, to execute the writ, warrant, order, or
summons; and every constable or other constable whose
name is so indorsed, and every assistant aforesaid, shall have
all the same rights, powers and authorities for and in the
execution of the writ, warrant, order, or summons as if it had
been originally directed to him expressly by name.
23. Any summons lawfully issued by a Court may be
served by any member of the Force at any time between the
hours of five o’clock in the morning and eight o’clock in the
evening.
24. (1) When any action is brought against any
member of the Force for any act done in obedience to the
warrant of any magistrate or justice of the peace, he shall not
be held responsible for any irregularity in the issuing of the
warrant, or for any want of jurisdiction in the magistrate or
justice issuing it, and may plead the general issue and give
the warrant in evidence.
(2) Upon production of the warrant and proof that
the warrant was signed and that the signature purports to be
that of the magistrate or justice whose name appears
subscribed thereto, and that the act or acts of which complaint
is made, was or were done in obedience to the warrant, the
court shall give judgment for the member of the Force and he
shall recover the full costs of the suit as between solicitor and
client.
25. (1) I t shall be lawful for any member of the Force
to take and record for the purpose of identification any
measurements, photographs and fingerprint impressions of
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prints.

Road barriers.
[6 of 1997]
all persons who may from time to time be in lawful custody:
Provided that if such measurements, photographs and
fingerprint impressions are taken of a person who has not
previously been convicted of any criminal offence, and such
person is discharged or acquitted by a court, all records
relating to such measurements, photographs and fingerprint
impressions shall forthwith be destroyed or handed over to
such person.
(2) Any person who shall refuse to submit to the
taking and recording of his measurements, photographs
or fingerprint impressions shall be taken before a magistrate
who, on being satisfied that such person is in lawful custody,
shall make such order as he thinks fit authorising any
member of the Force to take the measurements, photographs
and fingerprint impressions of such person.
(3) For the purpose of this section a person shall be
deemed to be in lawful custody where he is lawfully detained
at any police station in connection with the commission of
any crime or offence within the meaning of section 2 of the
Prevention of Crimes Act.
26. (1) Notwithstanding any other Act, any officer,
inspector or subordinate officer may, if he considers it
necessary so to do for the maintenance and preservation of
law and order or for the prevention or detection of crime,
erect or place, or cause to be erected or placed, barriers in or
across any road or street or in any public place within
Guyana in such manner as he may think fit.
(2) Any member of the Force may take all
reasonable steps to prevent any vehicle being driven past
such barrier and any driver of any vehicle who fails to comply
with any reasonable signal of a member of the Force in
uniform, requiring such person to stop such vehicle before
reaching any such barrier, shall be liable on summary
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Boundaries of
police divisions
and sub-
divisions.
[4 of 1972]

Provision of
buildings for
the Force.

Constable on
joining to be
on probation.
[6 of 1997]
conviction to a fine of forty-eight thousand seven hundred
and fifty dollars and to imprisonment for twelve months.
(3) No member of the Force shall be liable for any
loss or damage resulting to any such vehicle or for any injury
to the driver or any other occupant of such vehicle as a result
of the driver of such vehicle failing to obey any member of the
Force acting under subsection (2).
PART V
POLICE DIVISION AN D BUILDINGS
27. The Commissioner may by order divide Guyana
into police divisions or police sub-divisions for the purposes
of this Act.
28. The Minister may assign for the use of the Force
such buildings and premises as may respectively be provided
or available for that purpose and may make any further
provision necessary for the accommodation of members of the
Force.
PART VI
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF SUBORDINATE
OFFICERS AND CONSTABLES APPOINTED BY THE
COMMISSIONER
29. (1) Subject to the provisions hereinafter contained,
a person joining the Force as a constable shall be on probation
for a period of two years. At the expiration of that period a
probationer if efficient, of good character and qualified as
hereinafter stated for further service, shall be confirmed in his
appointment in the Force.
(2) During the probationary period aforesaid the
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Apprentices in
the band.

Engaging in
trade or
business.
services of any constable may be dispensed with at any time if
the Commissioner considers that he is not fitted, physically or
mentally to perform the duties of his office or that he is not
likely to become an efficient or well conducted constable.
(3) A constable whose services are dispensed with
under this section shall be entitled to receive one month’s
notice of the termination of his services or one month’s pay in
lieu of such notice.
(4) If any candidate for appointment to the Force
knowingly and willfully makes, or in connection with his
application for appointment, any false statement, he shall be
liable on summary conviction to a fine of nine thousand
seven hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for three
months.
30. (1) Every person selected as an apprentice in the
band shall be liable to serve for seven years whether he is
promoted or not to any higher rank in the band, but the
Commissioner may dismiss him for misconduct, or may
accept his resignation, or may discharge him after giving him
six months’ notice of his intention to do so.
(2) Every such apprentice engaged for service in
the band shall be between the age of fourteen and eighteen
years:
Provided that no person shall be engaged for service in
the band as an apprentice except with the consent of his
parent or guardian, such consent being in writing and signed
by the parent or guardian in the presence of the
Commissioner or officer delegated by the Commissioner for
that purpose.
31. (1) A member of the Force may be discharged at
any time, if, without the consent of the Commissioner—

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Provision of
hospital
accommoda-
tion and
treatment
(a) he carries on any business or trade or
holds any other office or employment
for hire or gain;
(b) he resides at any premises where any
member of his family keeps a shop or
carries on any like business;
(c) he holds, or any member of his family
living with him holds, any licence
granted in pursuance of the liquor
licensing laws or the laws regulating
places of public entertainment, or he
has any pecuniary interest in any
shop or business carried on by virtue
of such licence; or
(d) his wife, not being separated or
divorced from him, keeps a shop or
carries on any like business in
Guyana.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the expression
“member of his family” shall include a parent, son or
daughter, brother or sister, husband or wife.
32. (1) The Minister may provide hospital
accommodation, medical and dental treatment and, subject to
regulations, the issue of spectacles and essential dentures for
the members of the Force, at such places as he may think fit,
and may cause medicine, food, attendance and other
necessaries to be supplied to sick members of the Force in
hospital, and may order any deductions requisite to defray all
or any of the charges so incurred to be made from the salary
or pay of the sick members of the Force according to their
rank as he may think fit:
Provided that no such deduction shall be made from the
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Withdrawal
from the Force.

Discharge.
salary or pay of a member of the Force while under treatment
on account of any injury received or illness suffered by him in
the performance of his duty.
(2) If any member of the Force is incapacitated for
duty by his own misconduct, the Commissioner may order
that he shall forfeit the whole or any part of his salary or pay
for the period during which he is so incapacitated.
PART VII
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE FORCE
33. (1) Subject to subsection (2) an inspector,
subordinate officer or constable may withdraw from the Force
on giving to the Commissioner at least six months’ notice in
writing of his intention to do so:
Provided that an inspector, with the prior consent of the
Minister in writing, and a subordinate officer or constable,
with the prior consent of the Commissioner also in writing,
may withdraw from the Force without giving such notice.
(2) No inspector, subordinate officer or constable
may withdraw from the Force during any period which may
be certified by the President for the purpose of this
subsection, to be a period of hostilities, apprehended
hostilities, internal disorder or other grave emergency.
34. (1) The Commissioner may at any time discharge
any subordinate officer or constable from the Force on the
ground that, having regard to the conditions of the Force, the
usefulness of the subordinate officer or constable thereto and
any other relevant circumstance, such discharge is desirable
in the public interest:
Provided that any subordinate officer or constable
discharged under section 31 or this section may be granted a
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Retiring age.

Prolongation of
service in
certain cases.

Aiding in
illegal
withdrawal
from the Force.
[6 of 1997]
pension, gratuity or other allowance which has accrued to
him by virtue of any Act relating to pensions then in force
save that the amount so awarded shall not exceed the amount
for which a public officer would be eligible if he retires from
the public service in the circumstances described in
section 8 (d) of the Pensions Act.
(2) Where any person is discharged from the Force
in pursuance of section 30, section 31 or subsection (1) of
this section, he may, within a period of fourteen days from
the date of his discharge, appeal to the Police Service
Commission against such discharge, in a manner prescribed
by regulations.
(3) Where the Police Service Commission allows an
appeal, the subordinate officer or constable shall be re-
instated in the Force, and shall for all purposes be regarded as
if he had not been discharged from the Force.
35. Except with the approval of the Minister the
services of any inspector, subordinate officer or constable
shall not extend beyond the age of fifty-five years.
36. Any member of the Force whose period of service
expires during the occurrence or apprehended occurrence
of hostilities, internal disorder, or other grave emergency
of any kind, may be retained and his service prolonged for
such further period not exceeding twelve months, as the
Minister may direct.
37. Any person who—
(a) knowingly aids or abets any
inspector, subordinate officer or
constable illegally to withdraw from
the Force; or
(b) knowingly conceals any inspector,
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Entertaining
inspector,
subordinate
officer or
constable on
duty.
[6 of 1997]
subordinate officer or constable who
has illegally withdrawn from the
Force; or
(c) knowing that any inspector,
subordinate officer or constable has
illegally withdrawn from the Force
aids him to quit Guyana, shall be
liable on summary conviction to a fine
of nine thousand seven hundred and
fifty dollars or to imprisonment for
three months.
PART VIII
OFFENCES
38. (1) Any person who, knowing that any inspector,
subordinate officer or constable is on duty, harbours or
entertains, or either directly or indirectly sells or gives any
intoxicating liquor to the inspector, subordinate officer or
constable or permits the inspector, subordinate officer or
constable to abide or remain in his house (except in extreme
urgency), shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of
nine thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars or to
imprisonment for three months.
(2) If any person being a licensed distiller or the
holder of a licence for the sale of intoxicating liquor or
employed in connection with the business of any such
distiller or holder of such licence be convicted under this
section, the proceedings and the evidence shall be forwarded
to the Minister, and the said distiller or keeper or other person
shall, in addition to any other penalty under this section be
liable to have his licence forfeited or suspended by the
Minister, irrespective of any penalty suffered under the
conviction. Notice in the Gazette of such forfeiture or
suspension shall be sufficient notice thereof for all purposes.
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Causing
disaffection,
etc. amongst
members of the
Force.
[6 of 1997]

Surrender of
articles on
death.
[6 of 1997]

Improper
possession of
articles
supplied.
[6 of 1997]

39. Any person who causes, or attempts to cause or
does any act calculated to cause disaffection amongst the
members of the Force, or induces or attempts to induce, or
does any act calculated to induce, any member of the Force to
withhold his services or commit any breach of discipline,
shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of twenty-six
thousand dollars and to imprisonment for six months, and in
either case, if a member of the Force, shall forfeit all pension
rights and be disqualified from being a member of the Force.
40. (1) When any member of the Force dies possessed
of any article which has been supplied to him for the
execution of his office but which he has not been expressly
authorised to keep for his private benefit, his personal
representative or heir, or the person in whose house he dies,
shall within fourteen days after his death, deliver all those
articles whatsoever to the person authorised by the
Commissioner for that purpose.
(2) Any person who contravenes this section shall
be liable on summary conviction to a fine of four thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five dollars or to imprisonment
for three months; and any justice of the peace may issue his
warrant to search for and seize all such articles which are not
so delivered, wherever the same may be found, and to arrest
the person in whose possession the same are found.
41. Every person who has in his possession any article
whatsoever supplied at the public expense to any member of
the Force which that member of the Force has not been
expressly authorised to keep for his private benefit, and who
does not satisfactorily account for his possession thereof, shall
be guilty of an offence, for which he may be arrested without
warrant by any member of the Force, and shall on summary
conviction be liable to a fine of four thousand eight hundred
and seventy-five dollars or to imprisonment for three months.

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Personation of
member of the
Force.
[6 of 1997]

Constitution of
Police
Association.
[4 of 1972]

Police
Association
rules.
[4 of 1972]
42. Every person who puts on or assumes, either in
whole or in part, the dress, name, designation, or description
of any member of the Force to which he is not entitled, for the
purpose of obtaining admission into any house or other place,
or of doing or promising to be done any other act which he
would not by law be entitled to do or promise to be done on
his own authority, shall be liable on summary conviction to a
fine of nine thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars or to
imprisonment for three months.
PART IX
POLICE ASSOC IATION
43. (1) For the purpose of enabling inspectors,
subordinate officers and constables to consider and bring to
the notice of the Commissioner and the Minister matters
affecting their general welfare and efficiency, there shall be
established an organisation to be called the Police Association
which shall act through Branch Boards, Central Conferences
and a Central Committee as provided for by rules made
under section 44.
(2) The Police Association shall be entirely
independent of and unassociated with anybody outside the
Force and shall have no power to make representations in
relation to any matter of discipline, promotion, transfer or
leave or any other matter affecting individuals.
44. The Commissioner may with the approval of the
Minister make rules for the constitution and governance of
the Police Association and as to any matters appertaining
thereto.
PART X
PROHIBITED ASSOCIATIONS

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Definition.

Members of the
Force not to
join prohibited
associations.
[6 of 1997]

Prohibition of
member of the
Force receiving
benefits from
45. For the purpose of this Part, a “prohibited
association” means—
(a) any trade union as defined by the
Trade Unions Act, whether the union
is registered or incorporated or not;
(b) any league, organisation or body of
persons, whether registered or not,
which has for its objects, or one of its
objects, the promotion of feelings of
ill-will and hostility between different
classes or races;
(c) any other organisation, society or
club, any of the objects of which may
be subversive of good discipline on
the part of a member of the Force, and
which the Commissioner shall, with
the approval of the Minister, declare
to be a prohibited association.
46. (1) It shall not be lawful for any member of the
Force to be or to become a member of any prohibited
association.
(2) If any member of the Force, becomes a
member of a prohibited association, such member of the
Force, the association, and every officer of the association who
is knowingly a party to the admission or enrolment of such
member of the Force shall be liable, on summary conviction,
for each offence to a fine of nine thousand seven hundred and
fifty dollars.
47. (1) It shall not be lawful for any prohibited
association to permit any member of the Force to receive any
benefit, financial or otherwise, from the association, or for any
such association to receive any money from a member of the
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prohibited
associations.
[6 of 1997]

Award of
pensions.
c. 27:02

Leave of
absence on
military duty.

Saving.

Retirement.
Force.
(2) If there shall be a contravention of this section,
the member of the Force, the association and every officer of
the association who is knowingly a party to such
contravention, shall be liable, on summary conviction, for
each offence to a fine of nine thousand seven hundred and
fifty dollars.
PART XI
PENSIONS
48. Subject to this Act, pensions, gratuities and
allowances shall be paid in respect of service in the Force at
the rate prescribed by, and in accordance with, the provisions
of the Pensions Act or any ordinance relating to the award of
pensions, gratuities and allowances to public officers for the
time being in force.
49. For the purposes of this Part, leave of absence for
active service with the Guyana Defence Force, or for special
duty in connection with any war in which Guyana may be
engaged, shall be counted as service for pension and shall be
deemed to be continuous service in the Force.
50. Notwithstanding section 48, any person who,
upon the commencement of this Act, is in receipt of a pension
by virtue of the provisions of any Act relating to the Force,
shall continue to receive pension at the rate prescribed by
such Act.
51. (1)The Commissioner may, with the approval of
the Minister, require any inspector, subordinate officer or
constable who has attained the age of fifty years to retire
from the Force.
(2) Subject to the approval of the Minister, any
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Preservation of
pension rights
on secondment
or temporary
transfer.

Interpretation
of constable.

Arms, clothing
and equipment

Protection of
inspectors,
subordinate
officers and
constables from
civil process for
debt.
inspector, subordinate officer or constable who has attained
the age of fifty years may, at his own request, retire from the
Force.
52. (1) An inspector, subordinate officer or constable
may be seconded or temporarily transferred for duty (not
being duty as a member of the Force) in the service of
Guyana or, with the consent of the President, for service in
another Commonwealth territory.
(2) Where an inspector, subordinate officer or
constable is seconded or temporarily transferred under
subsection (1), and he is seconded or temporarily transferred
for duty in an office or employment which would not entitle
him to pension under this Act, the period during which he
shall serve in such office or employment as aforesaid shall
count for pension as if the inspector, subordinate officer or
constable had not been seconded or temporarily transferred.
53. For the purposes of this Part the term “constable”
shall include privates and apprentices appointed to the band.
PART XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
54. The Force shall be armed, clothed and equipped
at the public expense.
55. (1) No person may without the consent in writing
of an inspector, subordinate officer or constable, and then
only with the approval of the Commissioner, deduct from the
pay or allowances of an inspector, subordinate officer or
constable any amount on account of any order, charge, or
encumbrance given, made or created by the inspector,
subordinate officer or constable on his pay or allowance
except for reasonable and bona fide charges for not more than
three months’ arrears of house or land rent due by the
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Liability of
inspector,
subordinate
officer or
constable for
maintenance of
wife and
children.
inspector, subordinate officer or constable.
(2) No pay or allowances aforesaid or any part
thereof shall be paid to any person other than the inspector,
subordinate officer or constable to whom it is due, except in
the case of absence, illness or other incapacity or in any other
case at the special request of the inspector, subordinate
officer or constable, when the pay or allowances due to the
inspector, subordinate officer or constable may be delivered
to any agent duly authorised by him in writing to receive it.
(3) No pay or allowances aforesaid, or any part
thereof, shall be liable to be attached, seized, or taken in
execution by any process of law or otherwise howsoever.
(4) No inspector, subordinate officer or constable
shall be liable to imprisonment under the order of a court by
reason of the non- payment of any debt or demand he has
incurred or for which he has become liable.
(5) The provisions of this section relating to the
stoppage of pay shall not be construed to apply to any
penalties or stoppages incurred by an inspector, subordinate
officer or constable under this Act or under any of the
regulations or standing orders made under this Act.
56. (1)Every inspector, subordinate officer and
constable shall be liable to contribute to the maintenance of
his wife and children, and also to the maintenance of any
illegitimate children of whom he is proved to be or admits
that he is the father, to the same extent as if he were not a
member of the Force.
(2) If an inspector, subordinate officer or constable
fails to contribute a sufficient amount for the maintenance of
his wife and children, the Commissioner may deduct such an
amount from his pay, not exceeding one-third thereof, as may
appear to him to be necessary, and may apply that amount
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Funeral
expenses of a
member of the
Force dying
while serving
Prosecution
and procedure.

Right of officer,
inspector,
subordinate
officer to
prosecute
police cases.
Grant of special
award.

Sale of
unclaimed
articles in the
hands of the
towards the maintenance of such wife and children as
aforesaid in any manner the Commissioner thinks fit.
57. The funeral expenses of any member of the Force
dying whilst in the Force shall be defrayed by the
Commissioner from any moneys provided by Parliament for
that purpose.
58. Subject to this Act, all offences under this Act shall
be punishable on summary conviction, and all fines and
penalties imposed or incurred by or under this Act may be
sued for and recovered under any Act for the time being in
force regulating procedure before magistrates exercising
jurisdiction and appeals from magistrates’ decisions.
59. Where a member of the Force lays an information
or makes a complaint against anyone, any officer, inspector or
subordinate officer may appear before the magistrate who is
trying or inquiring into the matter of the information or
complaint and shall have the same privileges as to addressing
the magistrate and examining the witnesses adduced in the
matter as the member of the Force who laid the
information or made the complaint would have had.
60. If on the trial of any criminal cause in the High
Court, the judge before whom the cause is tried is of the
opinion that any member of the Force has distinguished
himself in apprehending or detecting and bringing to justice
the perpetrator or abettor of a crime, the judge shall have
authority to grant a reward, not exceeding twenty dollars to
that member of the Force; and the reward shall be paid by the
Accountant General, on the certificate of the judge, out of
moneys provided for that purpose by Parliament.
61. (1) All articles coming into the possession of any
member of the Force as unclaimed property or property
found and remaining unclaimed for the period of three
months may be sold, after due advertisement of sale for
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Force.
[15 of 1983]

Power to make
orders with
respect to
property in
possession of
police.
[15 of 1983]

Definition of
Chief Officer.

Remuneration
of certain
members of the
Force for
executing
warrants.
[25 of 1975
fourteen days:
Provided that—
(a) an animal, remaining unclaimed for
seven days, may be sold, after due
notice of sale for seven days; and
(b) perishable goods may be sold before
they become unfit; if they are unfit for
use they may be destroyed.
(2) The proceeds of all sales aforesaid shall be paid
into the Consolidated Fund for the public use.
62. Where any property has come into the possession
of the police in connection with any criminal charge or as the
result of any search carried out by a member of the Force, a
court of summary jurisdiction may, on the application
either by an officer or by a claimant of the property, make an
order for the delivery of the property to the person appearing
to the court to be the owner thereof, or, if the owner cannot be
ascertained, for the property to be dealt with in the manner
provided by section 61.
63. Where in this or any other enactment or in any
rule, regulation, by-law, or order, the expression “Chief
Officer of Police” is used, it shall mean the officer having
command of the police in any division and shall include any
person authorised by such said Chief Officer of Police to act in
that behalf.
64. A member of the Force of or below the rank of
Sergeant may, at the request of the officer, inspector or
subordinate officer under whose immediate command he is,
execute any warrant when he is off duty, and for the
execution thereof he shall be paid the sum of one hundred
and thirty dollars or such other sum as may be fixed by order
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6 of 1997]
Designation
and objects of
Special
Constabulary.

Commissioner
to command
the Special
Constabulary.

Appointment
of officers.

Appointment
of inspectors,
subordinate
officers and
constables.

Refusal to take
Oath.
[6 of 1997]
of the Minister and on the coming into operation of any such
order this section shall be construed and have effect
accordingly.
PART XIII
SPECIAL CONSTABULARY
65. There shall be maintained a supplemental body of
police styled the “Special Constabulary”, any member of
which may be called out for service by the Commissioner, the
Deputy Commissioner, any assistant Commissioner, or any
officer in charge of a division in any case where additional
police are required for the preservation of good order.
66. (1) Subject to the general order and directions of
the Minister, the Commissioner shall have the general
command and superintendence of the Special Constabulary.
(2) The Special Constabulary in any division shall
consist of such grades of officers, inspectors, subordinate
officers and constables as the Commissioner, with the
approval of the Minister, may direct.
67. Fit and proper persons shall be appointed to be
officers of the Special Constabulary, and such officers shall be
assigned to such division as the Commissioner may direct.
68. The appointment of inspectors , subordinate
officers and constables in the Special Constabulary shall be
effected by delivering to each of such persons a precept
authorising him so to act. Such inspectors, subordinate
officers and constables shall upon appointment, take the oath
of office as prescribed in section 13.
69. Any person appointed a special constable who—
(a) refuses to take the oath hereinbefore
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Clothing and
equipment.

Resignation.

Discipline,
authority and
pay.
mentioned when required to do so, or
refuses or neglects to appear at the
time and place for which he is
summoned for the purpose of taking
the oath; or
(b) being called upon to serve, refuses or
neglects to serve or obey the lawful
orders and directions given to him for
the performance of the duties of his
office,
shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of two
thousand six hundred dollars, unless he proves to the
satisfaction of the Court before which he is tried that he was
prevented by illness or some unavoidable accident, in the
opinion of the Court constituting a sufficient excuse.
70. It shall be lawful for the Minister to provide at
public expense, for the use of members of the Special
Constabulary, clothing and equipment for the proper carrying
out of the duties of their office.
71. Any member of the Special Constabulary may,
except when called out for full-time service, resign from the
Special Constabulary by giving to the Minister in the case of
officers and to the Commissioner in all other cases, one
month’s notice in writing:
Provided that any such notice may in any fit case be
dispensed with.
72. (1) Every member of the Special Constabulary
when called out for full-time service shall be deemed for all
purposes a member of the Force and shall be subject to all the
provisions of this Act as regards the discipline, powers and
immunities of constables under Part IV, and shall be paid
for his services from such moneys as may be provided by
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Member of
Special
Constabulary
to remain in his
division when
called out for
full- time
service.
Offences.
[6 of 1997]

Illness, bodily
injury and
death.
[4 of 1972]
Parliament, at the same rates as a regular member of the Force
of equivalent rank.
(2) Except as provided for in section 75(2) and (3),
nothing contained in this Part shall entitle a member of the
Special Constabulary to any pension or gratuity under this
Act.
73. No member of the Special Constabulary shall leave
or absent himself from the division in which he is stationed
during any period in which he has been called out for full-
time service, without the permission of the officer in charge of
the division.
74. Every member of the Special Constabulary who—
(a) when called out for full-time service,
neglects or refuses to serve, or
neglects or refuses to obey any lawful
command; or
(b) contravenes section 73, shall be liable
on summary conviction to a fine of
four thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five dollars.
75. (1) Where any member of the Special
Constabulary, through no fault of his own, contracts any
illness or sustains bodily injury while in the actual discharge
of his duties as such—
(a) he shall be provided with medicines,
medical comforts and medical
attendance at the public expense on
the written authority of the
Commissioner;
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Supernumer-
ary constables,
subordinate
officers,
(b) he shall receive full pay according to
his rank in the Special Constabulary
during any period of incapacitation
but not exceeding three months
without a recommendation from a
medical board, and in no case
exceeding twelve months.
(2) Where any member of the Special Constabulary
sustains bodily injury in the circumstances specified in
subsection (l), and is permanently disabled (either totally or
partially) as a result thereof, the President may grant him a
pension or gratuity, the amount of which shall be subject to
the approval of the National Assembly.
(3) Where the aforesaid bodily injury results in
death, the President may award to the dependants
(including any illegitimate children to whose support the
deceased was contributing) a pension or gratuity, the amount
of which shall be subject to the approval of the National
Assembly.
(4) This section shall apply to a member of the
Special Constabulary notwithstanding the fact that by reason
of his illness, injury or death, he or his dependants as defined
under the National Insurance and Social Security Act are
entitled to benefits under that Act.
PART XIV
SUPERNUMERARY CONSTABLES, SUBORDINATE
OFFICERS, INSPECTORS AND OFFICERS
76. (1) If in any case application is made by any
person to the Commissioner for constables, subordinate
officers and/or inspectors to be employed in his service on
special duties, the nature of which duties shall be specified in
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inspectors and
officers.
the application, the Commissioner may, if he thinks fit,
appoint men as supernumerary constables, subordinate
officers and inspectors to be employed on the special duties
specified in the application.
(2) The Commissioner may appoint fit and proper
persons to be officers.
(3) The men so appointed and employed shall be
subject to all the provisions of this Act and the regulations
made thereunder relating to discipline, punishment, powers
and immunities of constables.
(4) The pay and expenses and the cost of uniform
of supernumerary constables, subordinate officers, inspectors
or officers shall be defrayed by the person requiring their
services. The cost of the uniform shall be paid annually in
advance and the pay and expenses shall be paid monthly in
advance to the Commissioner.
(5) Proceedings for any sum payable under this
section may, on the complaint of an officer of police, be taken
before any magistrate against the person liable to pay the
sum.
(6) Whenever any person availing himself of the
services of supernumerary constables, subordinate officers,
inspectors or officers no longer desires to maintain such
supernumerary constables, subordinate officers, inspectors or
officers, or wishes to reduce the number of such
supernumerary constables, subordinate officers, inspectors or
officers in his service, he may terminate their services by
giving two months’ notice thereof in writing to the
Commissioner. A supernumerary constable, subordinate
officer or inspector shall be given one month’s notice of the
termination of his employment by an officer of police.
(7) Nothing in this section confers on any
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Interpretation.

Establishment
of rural
constabulary.

Objects of the
rural
constabulary.
supernumerary constable, subordinate officer, inspector or
officer, any claim for a pension or gratuity under this Act.
PART XV
RURAL CONSTABULARY
77. In this Part—
“the superintendent” means the superintendent of police
assigned by the Commissioner to have charge of the rural
constabulary;
“officer of the rural constabulary” includes the
Commissioner, the superintendent, and any police
officer having the command and superintendence of any
rural constabulary;
“the rural constabulary” means the body of rural constables
appointed and acting under this Act;
“rural constable” means one of those constables and
includes any subordinate officer of the rural
constabulary.
78. The rural constabulary shall be maintained under
this Act and shall consist of the subordinate officers of the
rural constabulary and rural constables as hereinafter
provided.
79. The principal objects for which the rural
constabulary is established are that its members may be
capable—
(a) in time of peace, of acting as an
efficient auxiliary to the Force in the
performance of such of their ordinary
duties as the Commissioner shall
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Powers of
officers of the
Force.

Appointment
of inspectors in
divisions.

Number and
distribution of
the rural
constabulary.

Precept of
appointment
and oath of
office.

General powers
and duties.
[4 of 1972]
deem fit; and
(b) in the time of internal disturbance or
of external aggression, of at once
assuming to the extent found requisite
by the Commissioner the ordinary
duties of the Force.
80. Every officer of the Force shall, within the limits of
the place in which he exercises authority in matters relating to
the Force, have the control and command of the rural
constabulary and perform the duties in relation thereto
directed by the Commissioner or as prescribed by the
regulations.
81. Inspectors or subordinate officers of the Force
may from time to time be appointed to be inspectors of the
rural constabulary in each division.
82. Subject to the provisions hereinbefore contained,
the rural constabulary shall consist of the number and grades
of subordinate officers of the rural constabulary and rural
constables from time to time directed by the Minister.
83.(1) On the appointment of any person as a rural
constable, the Commissioner shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to him a precept authorising him to act as a rural
constable.
(2) When he receives the precept, the person so
appointed shall take the oath of office specified in section 13.
84. (1) Every rural constable—
(a) shall have all the powers and shall be
entitled to all the privileges and
immunities conferred upon any
constable by any law or Act for the
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Liability for
full-time
service.
[4 of 1972
time being in force;
(b) may serve and execute any summons,
warrant, or other process in any cause
or matter, whether criminal, quasi-
criminal or civil, issued by any
magistrate or justice of the peace; and
(c) shall obey all orders lawfully given to
him by a magistrate, or a justice of the
peace, or by a superior officer,
inspector, or subordinate officer.
(2) The privileges and immunities, however, to
which a rural constable is entitled by virtue of subsection (1)
(a) shall be subject to the following modifications:
(a) the expression “pay and allowance”
means pay or allowance in respect
only of a rural constable’s
employment or services as a rural
constable;
(b) a rural constable shall not be exempt
from liability to be imprisoned under
the order of a court by reason of the
non- payment of any debt or demand
he has incurred or for which he has
become liable;
(c) a rural constable shall have no claim
to any pension or gratuity under this
Act.
85. (1) The Commissioner may at any time call out
members of the rural constabulary for active service, and in
the case of an emergency, any officer may call out for active
service the members of the rural constabulary subject to his
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L.R.O. 1/2012
6 of 1997]

Illness, bodily
injury and
death.

Remuneration
of rural
constables.
Schedule.
orders.
(2) Except in the case of an emergency, a rural
constable shall not be required to serve beyond the limits of
the division in which he resides.
(3) When a call is made, every rural constable so
called out shall forthwith, or at the appointed time, unless he
is specially excused by the Commissioner or an officer, repair
to the appointed place of muster and there place himself
under the orders of the officer in command for the services
required of him and during the necessary period.
(4) Any rural constable who refuses or neglects to
comply with the requirements of this section shall be liable on
summary conviction to a fine of two thousand six hundred
dollars or to imprisonment for two months.
(5) In any proceedings against a rural constable,
under this section, proof that a notice calling out rural
constables for full-time service was served upon such rural
constable shall be conclusive proof that the call came to his
knowledge.
86. Where any member of the rural constabulary is
called out for full-time service, and through no fault of his
own contracts any illness or sustains bodily injury while in
the actual discharge of his duties as such, he shall be entitled
to the same privileges and be subject to the same disability as
is provided by section 75 with respect to any member of the
Special Constabulary.
87. Whenever any rural constable is called out or
employed on full- time service with the Force or whenever he
serves or executes any process mentioned in section 84 he
shall be paid at the rates specified in the Schedule, or at any
other rates from time to time fixed by order of the Minister.

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Resignation.

Surrender of
appointments
of rural
constable on
resignation or
dismissal.
[6 of 1997]

Surrender of
appointments
of rural
constable upon
death.
[6 of 1997]
88. (1)A rural constable may resign his appointment
on giving one month’s notice in writing of his intention to do
so to the superintendent of police of the division in which he
resides:
Provided that the Commissioner may, if he thinks fit,
refuse to accept the resignation for any period he deems
necessary.
(2) Whenever he thinks fit to do so, the
Commissioner may allow a rural constable to resign his
appointment without giving notice.
89. (1) When any rural constable resigns, or is
dismissed from, or ceases to hold and exercise his office, all
powers and authorities vested in him as a rural constable,
shall immediately cease and determine, and he shall within
seven days after deliver all articles or appointments supplied
to him for the execution of his office to the inspector or
subordinate officer of the district in which he resides.
(2) Every rural constable who contravenes any of
the provisions of this section shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine of two thousand six hundred dollars or to
imprisonment for two months, and any justice of the peace
may issue his warrant to search for and seize all articles or
appointments not so delivered over wherever they are found,
and to arrest the person in whose possession they are found.
90. (1) When any rural constable dies, his heir,
executor, or other representative, or the person in whose
house he dies, possessed of any articles or appointments
supplied to the rural constable for the execution of his office,
shall, within fourteen days after the death, deliver up to the
inspector or subordinate officer of the division in which the
rural constable resided, all articles or appointments supplied
to, and in the possession of, the rural constable for the
execution of his office at the time of his death.
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Bodily injury
to rural
constable.

Granting of
special reward
for apprehen-
sion of
criminal.

Regulations.
[4 of 1972
16 of 1975]
(2) Every person who contravenes any of the
provisions of this section shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine of two thousand six hundred dollars or to
imprisonment for two months, and any justice of the peace
may issue his warrant to search for and seize all articles or
appointments not so delivered over wherever they are found,
and to arrest the person in whose possession they are found.
91. Subject to section 86, where a rural constable
sustains bodily injury while in the actual discharge of his
duty, he shall be provided with medicines, medical comforts
and medical attendance at the public expense on the written
authority of any officer.
92. If, on the trial of any case in the High Court in its
criminal jurisdiction, the judge before whom the case is tried,
is of the opinion that any rural constable has distinguished
himself in apprehending or detecting and bringing to justice
the perpetrator or abettor of any crime, the judge may grant a
reward, not exceeding ten dollars to the rural constable, and
the reward shall be paid by the Accountant General on the
certificate of the judge out of moneys provided by Parliament
for that purpose.
PART XVI
REGULATIONS
93. The Commissioner may from time to time, with
the approval of the Minister, make regulations with regard to
all or any of the following matters, that is to say—
(a) the description and issue of arms,
ammunition, accoutrements,
uniforms, dentures, spectacles and
necessaries to be supplied to members
of the Force;
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46 Cap. 16:01 Police
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(b) the qualifications of persons seeking
appointment to any part of the Force,
their general government with respect
to their classification and rank, their
training, the services required of them
and their conduct in the performance
thereof;
(c) the distribution of personnel
throughout Guyana and the requiring
of any officer, inspector, subordinate
officer or constable to reside in the
quarters provided for him and the
conditions under which he shall
reside;
(d) the management and good
governance of any police depot,
quarters, stations, offices, hospitals,
training school, rifle ranges, and cells
and of the persons confined therein;
(e) the establishment and the good
management of any canteen, shop
and recreation room for the benefit of
the Force;
(f) messing and accommodation of
members of the Force;
(g) the taking of measurements,
photographs and fingerprint
impressions of persons in lawful
custody;
(h) leave and weekly rest days;

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Application of
Regulations
and General
Orders.
[O. 2/1968
55/1968
6 of 1997]
(i) the periodical muster and drill of the
Special and Rural Constabularies;
(j) public and private entertainments by
the band;
(k) generally for the good order and
governance of the Force.
PART XVII
GENERAL
94. All members of the Force shall, in respect of any
matter not provided for in this Act, be subject to the
provisions of any regulations or other written laws relating to
the administration of the public service as are in force from
time to time.
__________
SCHEDULE
TABLE OF FEES AND ALLOWANCES PAYABLE TO
1. For execution of a warrant of commitment........$2.15
2. For making any arrest where a warrant of
apprehension has been issued, or for making any arrest where
a warrant has not been issued if the magistrate considers the
arrest was properly made ................................................. $195.00
3. For preparing a summons if the summons has
been initialled by an officer of Rural Constabulary or the
Inspector of Rural Constabulary........................................$130.00
RURAL CONSTABLES
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48 Cap. 16:01 Police
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4. For attendance at court .....................................$260.00
5. For executing in the prescribed manner any
warrant of distress or levy or warrant of ejectment, or other
process issued by a magistrate...........................................$195.00
6. For performance of police duties when required to
assist the police—
(a) for the first eight hours or part
thereof..........................................$260.00
(b) for each hour after the first eight
hours..............................................$65.00
7. For the attendance at any muster to a subordinate
officer or constable per diem .............................................$195.00
8. Travelling allowance to a constable when engaged
in the execution of his duty, on the scale for the time being
sanctioned for the police force.
9. (a) the allowance specified in item 8 shall
be in the discretion of the magistrate,
and shall be paid by the magistrate at
the conclusion of the case or the
completion of the service. The
account shall be made out by the
police.
(b) In any case under item 2 the
Commissioner of Police may, on the
recommendation of the magistrate,
award special remuneration not
exceeding $650.00.
(c) Where any constable receives any

LAWS OF GUYANA
[Subsidiary] Police (Remuneration for executing Warrants) Orders
L.R.O. 1/2012
monthly pay or salary from public
funds, he shall not be entitled to any
fees or allowances under this Act,
unless the Minister expressly
authorises the payment.

______________________________
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
_________________
O. 100/1975 POLICE (REMUNERATION FOR EXECUTING
WARRANTS) ORDER
made under section 70A
Citation.
Remuneration.
1. This Order may be cited as the Police
(Remuneration for Executing Warrants) Order.
2. Whenever a member of the Force of or below the
rank of sergeant executes any warrant under section 70A of
this Act he shall, instead of being paid the sum of two dollars
and fifteen cents specified in that section, be paid the sum of
three dollars.
_________________________
Police 49 Cap. 16:01
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[Subsidiary] Rural Constables (Fees and Allowances) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O. 98/1975

Citation.

Fees payable to
Rural
Constables
Schedule.

O. 87/1980
RURAL CONSTABLES (FEES AND ALLOWANCES)
ORDER
made under section 93
1. This Order may be cited as the Rural Constables
(Fees and Allowances) Order and shall be deemed to have
come into operation on 1st July, 1975.
2. Whenever any rural constable is called out or
employed on full-time service with the Police Force or
whenever he serves or executes any process mentioned in
section 90 of the Act, he shall, instead of being paid at the
rates specified in such items of the Schedule to the Act as are
referred to in the first column of the Schedule to this Order,
be paid at the rates specified in the second column of the last-
mentioned Schedule opposite such references, respectively.
__________
SCHEDULE
Table of Fees and Allowances Payable to Rural Constables
$ c
Item 1 ……………………………………….……. 5. 80
Item 2 …………………………………………….. 7.70
Item 3 …………………………………………….. 5.80
Item 4 … ………………………………………….. 9.60
Item 5 ……………………………………………… 7.70
Item 6 (a) ……………………………………………… 11.60
(b) …………………………………………… 1.80
Item 7 ……………………………………………… 7.70
___________________