Special Branch was formed decades ago as an intelligence gathering unit to deal with the security of the State, subversive activities, to check on applicants seeking employment in sensitive areas of the government, and to liaise with foreign governments seeking information on locals under investigation abroad.

Officers provide security for the President, Prime Minister, visiting Heads of State and judges among other special duties.

They can also tap phones and collect information on politicians and other public officials for the State.

Officers work “undercover” in the Branch, keep a very low profile, and are not known to members of the public. Sources told TnT Mirror that the Head of Special Branch reports to the Minister of National Security, the Commissioner of Police and the Prime Minister, who is Head of the National Security Council, and who can request him to discuss any security matter.

“Virgil can disclose details of his investigation into the Chief Justice affair to Prime Minister Patrick Manning,” one officer noted.

“The government has confidence in Virgil,” another officer said.

However, one police officer noted that the Police Service is short of highly-skilled investigators and that may be the reason that ACP Virgil was asked to defer his retirement.

The source disclosed that after Virgil’s official retirement, the government may offer him a top job as an adviser to the Minister of National Security.

The cop pointed to another senior officer whose leave was bought out recently. Senior Superintendent Carlyle Williams, who was due to go on pre-retirement leave earlier this year, has also been given a six-month extension.

Williams, is one of the senior officers of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) another intelligence-driven squad.

Under the former United National Congress (UNC) Administration, Police Commissioner Kenny Mohammed was given a one-year contract to remain after his term of office ended.