STREET GANG DYNAMICS & INVESTIGATIONS
(8.0 Hours)
(16.0 Hours)

I. Course Description
Courses addressing contemporary street gang dynamics, gang investigations, gang case law, officer safety, enforcement and diversion. Courses are certified for 8.0 hour or 16.0 hour formats. Participants will become familiar with all ethnic street gangs, prison gangs and white extremisist organizations. Classification of gang members and extremist groups according to language, dress, signs/signals, graffiti, tattoos and political ideology.

Participants will learn about gang case law, interviewing and investigative techniques, evidence gathering, report writing, juvenile petitions and court testimony in gang-related crimes.

Additional emphasis on correct profiling of at-risk youth and active gang members, tactical enforcement and officer safety in field and institution environments. This is an excellent course for field officers, investigators and institution staff working with gang caseloads or populations.

Course is instructed by an experienced street gang investigator and expert witness and supported by an excellent classifications manual, videos, slides and displays of gang-related evidence.

A separate text, "Violent Gangs, " (Ron Martinelli, 1997) is also available for purchase.

II. Audience
General

IV. Performance Objectives

1. Identify and classify distinct juvenile and adult ethnic street gangs, prison gangs and domestic extremist groups according to specific legal criteria.
2. Understand basic gang dynamics and reasons for gang assimilation. Be able to identify various stages of at-risk youth and gang development.
3. Understand histories of major ethnic gangs, gang customs and forms of gang communication. Be able to gather accurate gang intelligence to classify members and investigate gang-related crimes. Understand investigative procedures when working gang-related crimes.
4. Understand state statutes and case laws relating to the successful prosecution of gang-related crimes.
5. Understand the political ideologies, religions, histories and customs of various domestic white extremist groups and organizations.
6. Be knowledgeable of officer safety and tactical considerations when working in a gang environment and while contacting gang members in field and institution settings.