Abstract
This study yields important implications for policy by appraising the alignment of evidence and practice in Guyanese community policing, based on a systematic review of global and regional literature from which excerpts were reprinted above. We conduct a synthesis of 74 high-quality empirical and theoretical studies, through the PRISMA 2020 format, to provide an analysis of effective strategies and contextual barriers/enablers. The empirical record suggests that, when done in ways that are better suited to local contexts, sustained foot patrols, community advisory boards, youth engagement programs, and problem-oriented policing tend to improve trust, reduce fear of crime, and encourage citizen cooperation. There are barriers related to a lack of resources, existing police culture, and insufficient monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The review also emphasizes the need to institutionalize community policing in Guyana, develop procedural justice and cultural competence training for officers, sustain civil society partnerships, and create strong performance monitoring mechanisms. These results point to the need for reforms that are place-state specific and grounded in evidence, which are aimed at moving policing from ad hoc initiatives to sustainable, collaboration-focused, partnership-based practices that enhance public safety while promoting democratic governance.