Police unit to spy on gangs

An elite police unit set up to spy on the illegal activities of gang members, has been set up, and is now in operation with its base at the Besson Street Police Station.

Earlier this year, Minister of National Security Martin Joseph revealed in Parliament that there are 66 gangs based in and around Port-of-Spain, with over 500 hard-core gang members throughout the country. The minister noted that Government was putting in place several measures to deal with gang related activities and violence in the country.

The unit named Repeated Offenders Programme(ROP), is the brainchild of Assistant Police Commissioner Gilbert Reyes.

Newsday learnt that 12 specially selected officers have been transferred to the unit although they fall under the strength of the Port-of-Spain CID.

The officers have been given two unmarked vehicles to assist them in their duties. They work shifts and report directly to Police Commissioner Trevor Paul. Any key information is then shared with officers of the Special Anti-Crime Unit.

The officers have been given firm instructions that they must infiltrate the operations of the gangs in the Morvant/Laventille area.

The assignment includes finding out where the guns and weapons originate, those responsible for bringing in the weapons, where they are stored and those involved in the spate of killings in the Morvant/Laventille area.

The attempt is to flush out the illegal activities and bring the perpetrators to justice and put a dent on gang related killings and activities in the Laventille and Morvant areas.