THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has distributed Christmas hampers to ranks of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) who have rendered exceptional service during the year 2014.

The hampers were distributed last Tuesday during a luncheon held on the Drill Square and attended by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and other senior personnel of the Guyana Police Force.

Also present at the occasion were the families of two ranks who had been killed in the line of duty last year during the Middle Street, Georgetown shootout between the police and a berserk businessman. They also received hampers from the police.

Officer in Charge of the Tactical Services Unit, Superintendent Errol Watts, reminded that the division has 276 serving ranks, but said that only 75 of them were going to be rewarded with hampers, and in some cases cash, for their outstanding performances.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said the unit remains a main and very important unit of the Force, and, over the years, roles have been added to its core responsibilities while others have been removed.

He said the unit is known for being in the forefront of very important events, such as providing VVIP protection, firearm training, conducting raids, and holding parades, among other things.

In congratulating the ranks on a successful 2014, Commissioner Persaud commended the ranks for their collective efforts made during the year, even as he reminded them that

they are servicemen and women who have extremely high regard for duty.

He said that, at this time of the year, while a lot of people would be home with their relatives and families, for some serving members of the Force, “duty will call for us to be elsewhere” to ensure that the police serve the people to whom they were called to serve. According to the top cop, “that is the path we chose; it is by our own desire” (Leroy Smith)