Amresh Parab
Panaji
Technology is vital to police investigations. However, human intelligence remains the most important element, say senior retired police officers. They add that the police should adopt varied strategies to prevent and tackle crime.
In the wake of the recent armed dacoity in Mapusa, one senior retired officer said there are several such gangs operating in the country. Once the gang involved is identified, the police should go after them “like a declared war” so that similar incidents do not recur in Goa.
“A large number of gangs operate in the country and each has a peculiar modus operandi,” a senior retired officer told The Navhind Times. “Even their attire, the language they use, the rituals they follow before and after the crime — these things differ. It takes a lot of hard work to achieve a breakthrough in robbery and dacoity cases.”
Nowadays technology plays an important role, but so does human intelligence.
“Police officers should have a good rapport with counterparts in other states, especially those where such gangs are active, because they can provide valuable information about the gangs and their crimes,” he said.
Another retired officer said the police can adopt different methods to prevent or solve crimes. “From patrolling to studying crime patterns and then adopting necessary measures — it all depends on the individual officer,” he said. “You have to develop your own practices and work out effective strategies.”
Referring to some gangs, the retired officer said that dacoities and robberies are “in their blood”: “Some are violent while others are not. After the crime, the men hand over the booty to their women, who dispose it of while the men remain in hiding.”
Even criminals can provide valuable information before or after an incident. Obtaining information during interrogation is also vital.
“Interrogation is an art and not everyone can master it. One has to be capable of getting information from a criminal without even touching him,” the former policeman said.
Criminals can reveal details about other offenders and their activities, and the police must be wise enough to tap this source. “When criminals are in jail, they can be good sources of information — provided you have a connection with the person,” the retired officer said.
But such information doesn’t come for free. “You need to be ready to provide them a certain amount of money. Intelligence gathering is not as easy as it looks. There is a secret fund through which such monetary needs can be met,” he stated.
The former officers said it is well known that gangs always conduct reconnaissance and survey areas or properties. Methods include obtaining information through servants, beggars, or workers involved in plumbing, electricity and other services.
Another senior retired officer said some gangs practise rituals such as sacrificing goats and soaking weapons in the animal’s blood. Some members anoint their bare chests with oil and go without footwear; others operate on specific days, such as a day or two before the new moon or full moon.
“Gangs involved in such crimes in Goa should be identified and the police should go after them. Teams should visit their locations, start collecting information and make the gangs aware they are being trailed. The moment they know the police from a particular state are behind them, such incidents will stop,” the retired officer said, recounting how a similar approach years ago led to a period with no reported incidents.
