Police officers directly involved in the search for weapons and suspects are among those most exposed to danger. They must be carefully trained on safe approach and reaction techniques, as well as on organizing checkpoints and other operations. They must be equipped with bulletproof vests, portable intercoms and adequate weapons. They must always alert their supervisors and the operations center about their activities in high-risk areas. Departments of Internal Affairs must investigate rigorously all cases where police officers may be involved in the sale of illegal weapons or in the undue release of bearers of illegal arms.
Many illegal guns have their serial numbers filed away.
Nonetheless, computerized records of weapons seized by the Military Police show that every year about 40 properly identified firearms are seized again after being formally surrendered at police precincts. We may assume that unidentified weapons disappear in larger numbers. There is no record of policemen being prosecuted for this crime. The police must seek the support of the community because it is the main source of intelligence about crimes committed or about to happen, criminals, places where offenders gather and drugs are sold and sellers of illegal guns. With authority and respect, currently invested in few public institutions, the police can involve communities in frequent meetings to analyze local criminal activity and ways of preventing violence.