Anti-Crime cops get $5,000 more

Police officers, both uniform and CID are calling on Police Commissioner Trevor Paul to intervene now, and secure the same benefits which apply to all police officers of Government’s Special Anti-Crime Unit. All officers of the elite unit receives an additional $5,000 per month, apart from their salaries and other benefits.

Coupled with that, officers of the unit from the rank of Ag Sgt and upwards are allowed free cellphones and vehicles at their disposable. The unit which was set up last year March to assist the police in their fight against crime is headed by Brigadier Peter Joseph. The unit is based in El Socorro and the operations are considered to be “secret.” Last year, the unit was given $44 million for operations and that figure was increased to $68 million this year. All telephone numbers to this unit are considered strictly confidential.

The unmarked and heavily tinted vehicles used by the officers of this unit are insured by the Controller of Accounts, Ministry of National Security, and are outfitted with special written passes for the Priority Bus Route. Officers of Traffic Branch and Highway Patrol complained yesterday that they have difficulty in getting those officers to identify themselves during exercises. Angry officers added that since the formation of the unit, the elite officers have only seized five guns, and a quantity of ammunition.