| But are the police trading these illicit items for a"get out of jail" pass? Multiple reports to our newsroom state that gang members - particularly those higher up in rank - are handing over guns or drugs in exchange for freedom from an SOE lockdown.
And those gang affiliated persons who don't have anything to offer? Well, they may end up behind bars.
We asked the ComPol about these direct first hand reports to our newsroom.
Reporter
"So they're persistent and numerous reports that some men who are being picked up are able to trade drugs and guns for their freedom, essentially. They hand up a couple weapons or some marijuana, some whatever it is, and they are allowed to be free."
"One father explained that his sons were locked up because they didn't have anything to trade in order to get their freedom. Can you comment on these reports?"
Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"First of all, I want to reaffirm our commitment to transparency and upholding the rule of law."
"Any alleged suggestion that our police officers are lenient with violent offenders is inaccurate, and it's just an attempt, I believe, to disregard the dedicated effort of our police officers and the integrity of operations."
"Now, many of the firearms that were seized were seized based on the interrogation and the extensive interview that was conducted with those individuals. And based on those information, then operations were conducted."
Reporter
"But today, then, in turn, are released, even though they were detained as part of SOE?"
Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Now, individuals are just detained. Remember, we started at 118 individuals that were detained. And after the extensive or rigorous interview, only 49 detention order was issued. Because if there is no merit or there is no, after we assess the evidential material and there is no evidence for us to keep them longer, then they are released."
Reporter
"What's the criteria between who's released? because you lock them up for, or you detain them at first for a reason, maybe they had some gang association or live in a gang area, but what's the criteria for who's released and who's remanded?"
Dr Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Remember, the prime objective for the state of emergency is to allow the investigators to conduct their investigation without hindrance from the criminal elements. And our main objective is to ensure that we solve those violent crimes that recently occurred without any hindrance."
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