Street gangs are increasingly posing a threat to communities across the United States and are no longer just an urban issue. Smaller communities and suburban areas are now experiencing the impact of gang violence at alarming rates. 

Gang members are involved in various types of criminal activities such as drug trafficking, gun trafficking, robbery, extortion, etc. all while controlling territory within neighborhoods in cities across the United States. The extreme violence perpetrated by these gangs through drive-by shootings, home invasions, and violent murders requires law enforcement to aggressively investigate these cases using both State and Federal strategies. If the perpetrators are not apprehended quickly, more violence will likely occur, injuring or killing innocent civilians.  

This course is designed to expose the fact that many gang-related murders and non-fatal shootings occurring in America are related to drug activity and gang feuds fueled by the use of social media platforms. This course will also delve into the extreme violence associated with these cases and the methods being used by law enforcement and prosecutors across the country to combat this violence.  

This two-day training course was designed to assist law enforcement officers with strategies for investigating & prosecuting criminal street gangs and their membership. Officers will gain an understanding of the motivation for individuals joining a gang. Officers will receive instruction on the history and trends of some of the most violent gangs in America. Exposing officers to a gang’s hand signs, colors, graffiti, or clothing in a classroom setting will better prepare the officer in establishing criteria necessary for building a solid gang investigation and a successful prosecution.