The Renton Police Department has announced the creation of a five-person unit focused on violent crime.

According to an email from Meeghan Black, a spokesperson for the Renton Police Department, the Violent Crime Unit — which conducts long-term investigation and tracks suspects in regards to violent crime — has been operational for approximately six months.

The Violent Crime Unit, as of its creation this year, has arrested 88 suspects, according to a Nov. 12 release from the department.

“The unit formed in response to [a] rise in violent crime, violent juvenile crime, and [crimes] specifically involving firearms,” Black stated.

Sgt. Eric Gordon of the Renton Police Department leads a team of four officers comprising the Violent Crime Unit.

“Everybody in my group is a member of the Valley Regional SWAT team and has extensive tactical training, extensive training with different technology databases, [and] extensive training with surveillance and undercover operations,” stated Gordon in a video detailing the unit.

According to Black, the members of the unit have additional training that differentiates them from other units that also address violent crime.

“Being part of Valley SWAT, these officers have extensive training in tactics and scenarios that are the most dangerous and complicated,” Black stated.

The team investigates and responds to cases including robberies, assaults, homicides, crimes involving firearms, and activity with ties to groups committing a series of crimes.

The department emphasized a focus of the unit is responding to crimes committed by minors.

“When they meet a certain threshold on a risk assessment, those cases get turned over to us,” stated Gordon.

According to Black, the department will evaluate the unit as it continues to develop.

“Given that this unit is still getting off the ground, we are going to analyze its successes and evaluate what’s working and …crime trends to decide if it continues on its current mission or shifts in the future,” Black stated.