TRIBUTE TO GSU DETAIL 84

Twelve years ago, on 28^th December, 2004, GSU DETAIL 84 was enlisted in the then Kenya Police Force-General Service Unit. This was a perfect opportunity for a whole lot of greenhorns to be trained from the infamous RAIA TO OFFICERS in the Para military General Service Unit Training School-Embakasi where after ten months of training, we were posted to various field companies whereas others were posted to the Anti Stock theft Unit, Reece Company, GSU Band among other work stations. From there, real service begun and that is!

Looking back, most officers are still in the service, a good number has been sacked, and others have resigned whereas others have died in the line of duty-may they rest in peace. A good number of us have risen up the ranks whereas some of us are still Police Constables. A quick check reveals that some have married, others are still single and searching whereas a size able number are single parents.

Those who were recruited as graduates are now occupants of high* offices within the Service whereas a good chunk that has pursued higher education while serving is catching up too. There are a whole lot of us who have not gone back to school but have ventured elsewhere. These are business men and women and they must be doing well too!

Some of us are still in love with this job whereas a good number is still holding on for lack of another option.  A size able number has converted from the GSU and joined the General Duties, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Presidential Escort Unit e.t.c  whereas a big percentage is holding onto hope that one day, we will say goodbye to the red beret. 

Sitting down with some officers and sharing on individual experiences reveals that they have bad experiences that are as a result of perceived or actual mistreatment by senior officers, lack of a well managed transfer/promotion/placement policy whereas to some, moving from one place to the other has been a walk in the park. This has happened in a span of twelve years! Glory be to the Most High God who has seen us through!

Moving forward, I trust that the future holds so much for us. As we rise up the ranks, it is my hope that from detail 84, men and women of integrity will hold influential offices in the Service. It is my desire that one day I will sit down and write about such officers. These will be men and women who will boldly address problems facing the common Mwanachi. Men and women who will streamline the Matatu Sector, tame the Boda Boda Operators, manage corruption in the rank and file, fight drug and substance abuse in the villages, make Police Stations people friendly, ensure that beat officers deal with real thugs and not harass anyone who is not able to buy his/her way out of Police hand cuffs e.t.c

From Detail 84, I hope to see Officers who will be impartial as they execute their duties, those who will rise and stand tall to Political Intimidation and mis use and men and women who will make kids mention Police jobs as their dream careers not because of how bossy and corrupt we are but because of the positive stories these kids will be hearing of us. GSU Detail 84 will produce reputable directors who will see to it that officers have high quality uniforms, have access to counseling services, proper housing, fair promotion practices, transfer and even training opportunities. I hope that officers from GSU DETAIL 84 will not be counted when senior officers known to mis use money allocated for operations and allowances will be arraigned in the painful hearts of junior officers. I know that we were trained to conquer the world and as we face the next phase of our career, we will leave an inspiring legacy.

VIVA GSU DETAIL 84.