The Metropolitan Police's Operation Trident could be broken up as the force looks to save money in the government's Spending Review.
The unit, which investigates gun crime in London's African-Caribbean community, may be merged with other squads to cut costs.
The Trident independent advisory group, which monitors the unit's work, was told the news three weeks ago.
The Met said no decision has been made, but no department was "sacrosanct".
Claudia Webbe, who leads the advisory group, said she had been warned "nothing is off the table".
“Start Quote To even think about breaking it up would be sacrilege”
End Quote Claudia Webbe Head of the Trident independent advisory group
But she said: "To even think about breaking it up would be sacrilege. "Any impact on the work of Trident will seriously affect not only the ability to investigate and bring to justice these men of violence who are terrorising the community but it will seriously affect the relationship police have with black communities.
"I think Trident has single-handedly brought up and turned around the image of the Met, particularly when you consider the bad relations that exist over issues like stop-and-search and the progression of ethnic minorities with the service."
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