Guard units in various parts of the strife-torn coastland, serious moves were being made to set up a full-time National Security Force. Earlier in the year, on 26 February 1964, the British Guiana Special Service Unit Order had been passed. By this time the limitations of the Police and Volunteer Forces in dealing with protracted and organised lawlessness were realised. The Special Service Unit (SSU) was intended, in the first place, to work with these other two local forces to "Preserve law and order and peace, repress internal disturbance, protect property, prevent and detect crime, apprehend offenders and perform such military duties as may be authorised by the Governor". Every officer of the unit - a fully armed force,was vested with the powers of a Justice of the Peace. On 27 May, it was announced that the British Government would provide about $1,640,000 to meet the capital cost of establishing the SSU, and the machinery was set in motion. On 8 July the first batch of Young Guianese took the oath and were attested at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary Georgetown to begin training. This unit was, from the outset, a hybrid Security Force. Intended for military duties, it was set up, trained and commanded by Police Officers and given Police powers of arrest and search. At the top of their khaki uniforms was a black beret with the badge of the British Guiana Police Force. Their organisation and training were dictated by the conditions created by the unprecedented civil disorder that had affected the coastal communities during the 1960s and imposed on the young "Constables" a strong sense of loyalty and dedication and a willingness to work hard.