Wages and salaries SRD 1.9 billion
The Ministry of Justice and Police (Juspol) wants to invest heavily in strengthening the Suriname Police Force (KPS) in 2026. The budget plans for this service year show that the force is struggling with outdated equipment, a shortage of communications equipment and overdue maintenance of buildings and vehicles. To improve services to society, extensive investments are planned in the areas of infrastructure, digitalization, training and combating crime. With the planned investments, the ministry hopes to significantly increase the effectiveness of the KPS and better guarantee the safety of citizens.
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The ministry says that lagging capital expenditure in recent years has led to stagnation in various departments of the force. As a result, necessary projects could not be carried out and work processes were delayed.
“Priorities include tackling maritime piracy, illegal immigration, youth crime, human trafficking and smuggling and drug crime”
An important part of the investments is aimed at replacing outdated office inventory. Desks, chairs, filing cabinets and other furniture from various departments and police districts are in urgent need of replacement.
In addition, the force is faced with a shortage of walkie-talkies, while many existing means of communication have been technically written off. That is why efforts are being made to purchase new walkie-talkies, batteries and mother transmitters to improve communication between police units.
SRD 40 million has been raised in the 2026 budget for inventory alone. The cost item for ‘Goods and Services’ is SRD 418 million, while more than SRD 1.9 billion will be spent on wages and salaries.
IT
Extensive investments are also planned in the ICT field. Almost all departments have outdated computers, which have slowed down administrative and operational processes.
The ICT department has therefore submitted a project for the purchase of five hundred new computers. In addition, the force wants to purchase approximately nine hundred printers and seven hundred scanners to further digitize documents.
The implementation of the ICT master plan is also on the agenda. This should make the force better prepared for modern forms of crime and information-driven policing.
Various technological investments are planned under the ‘Telecom Network KPS’ programme. The force wants to purchase equipment to combat cybercrime, a voiceover Implementing an IP system, purchasing GPS equipment and further expanding the Command Center.
FO, police band and vehicle service
Laboratory supplies and specialist consumables are purchased for the Forensic Investigation department (FO) to better conduct forensic investigations. The police band receives money to purchase new musical instruments, equipment and maintenance materials.
The vehicle service also receives extra attention. Due to backlogs in the purchase of car parts, service vehicles are often out of use for long periods of time. The ministry wants to replenish stocks so that police vehicles can be repaired more quickly and services are no longer hampered.
Renovation and new construction
Within the ‘Renovation’ programme, work is planned on the grounds of the Police Academy, the Calcutta police station and checkpoints in Witagron, Stoelmanseiland and Benzdorp. Other police stations can also be addressed during the year when urgent situations arise.
In the field of new construction, the ministry wants to realize police and checkpoints and staff housing in Snesikondre, Coronie, Stoelmanseiland and Tijgerkreek, among others. Training facilities for the Police Academy are also planned.
Plans are also being worked on for a new Maritime Police branch in Paramaribo and West Suriname. The ministry also wants to start construction of a new accommodation for the FO and a new control room on Duisburglaan.
The completion of the new police headquarters on the corner of Johan Adolf Pengelstraat and Verlengde Gemenelandsweg will be taken over by the Ministry of Public Works.
Focus on serious crime
The ministry wants to pay extra attention to the fight against organized and cross-border crime in 2026. Priorities include tackling maritime piracy, illegal immigration, youth crime, human trafficking and smuggling and drug crime. In addition, measures are being taken to combat domestic violence with fatal consequences.
The ministry also wants to step up the fight against financial crime, including money laundering, terrorist financing, illegal arms trade and corruption. In this context, efforts are being made to establish a special Anti-Corruption Unit. Cybercrime also remains a spearhead within security policy.
Road safety
Because traffic accidents are still among the most important causes of death in Suriname according to Juspol, efforts are being made to establish a Road Safety Institute. Police officers will receive additional training in traffic matters.
The force wants to invest in license plate recognition, speedometers, alcohol and breath analysis equipment, traffic equipment, reflective vests and traffic cones, among other things. The purchase of new vehicles, ATVs, bulletproof vests, handcuffs and security cameras for all police stations is also planned.
Investing in manpower
To keep up with technological developments, the KPS wants to invest heavily in education and training of staff. The program includes executive, inspector and criminal investigation training, training for digital investigators, training for the FO, the Mobile Unit and bikers.
In addition, work continues on the ‘Neighbourhood Policing: Safety and Security, Enjoyed, Respected and Valued by Everyone’ project, which is supported by the Caribbean Development Bank. Through this program, neighborhood managers must be better trained and structurally embedded within police training.
