The selection process of officers to be deployed for the Haiti peace mission has begun.

A signal to all platoons within the General Service Unit (GSU) requires that names of officers to be considered for the assignment be submitted "urgently."

"The unit is in the process of selection exercise of suitable officers for a special assignment," the circular dated October 7 reads in part.

"In view of this, you are urgently required to submit names of officers."

Each platoon is set to nominate two police constables and a corporal.

Officers to be considered, it states, must be aged between 20-55 years and have served in the service for a minimum of five years.

They must also not have more than two convictions with the last one not less than six months.

Other than these, they should have a good proficiency in English, the ability to safely handle firearms and proven shooting skills.

Additionally, they must be mentally, physically and medically fit and capable of demonstrating clear command and control.

The unit is also expected to nominate 35 drivers and eight mechanics under the specialist category.

Other specialists required for the mission are signalers, chaplains and counselors and drone operators.

To qualify under this category, one must be aged between 20-40 years and served for at least two years in service.

Selected officers will converge at a camp for joint training ahead of the planned deployment in January.

The selection process follows the authorisation of a multinational security support (MSS) to the Caribbean country by the United Nations Security Council last week.

Other units of the Administration Police Service are also set to contribute.

Kenya intends to send more than 1,000 officers to the country for the mission to last for a year.

UN Security Council said a review will be done after nine months.

Some members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have also committed to supporting the mission.

MSS mission, UNSC member states observed, is an important step to help the Haitian National Police address the deteriorating security situation in their country.

The US government has pledged Sh29 billion for the mission.

Half of this amount is from the US Defence Department and is in the form of intelligence, airlifts, communications and medical assistance.