Police force doubles specialized violent crime unit
Last Updated: Thursday, February 19, 2009 | 12:19 PM MT
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More officers have been added to a special Calgary police unit that focuses on reducing drug- and gang-related violence.
The violent crime suppression team (VCST), which previously consisted of 11 officers, has now been expanded to two teams of nine, announced the Calgary Police Service on Thursday.
With two teams — each made up of eight constables and one sergeant — the unit can now double the amount of time its members are on the street, and can cover more weekend and evening shifts, explained police.
The VCST gathers intelligence, while interacting with individuals involved in street-gang activity and organized crime.
The unit works closely with the drug unit in targeting drug activity in bars, as well as the organized crime operations centre, which carries out directed patrols, curfew checks and enforcement of release conditions.
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