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Gang Investigations: A Street Cop's Guide

Author(s): Derrick Watkins, Santa Ana Police Dept (Retired), Santa Ana, California
Richard Ashby, Santa Ana Police Dept, Santa Ana, California
Details:
  • ISBN-13: 9780763733919
  • ISBN-10:0763733911
  • Paperback    150 pages      © 2007
Price: International Sales $115.95 US List
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Overview

Long before international terrorists threatened our borders, local gang members terrorized community streets. Today, street gangs continue to destroy neighborhoods and keep citizens held hostage in their homes. Gang Investigations: A Street Cop’s Guide provides a step-by-step guide to gang identification, arrest, search and seizure, prosecution, and other programs that have been used successfully by criminal justice agencies nationwide. Anti-gang strategies are discussed along with the results of their implementation.

 

This guide will better prepare every police officer and detective to deal with the modern street gang. With Watkins’ and Ashby’s knowledge, departments and officers can develop better strategies to curb gang violence and the fear of street terrorists. 

Gang Investigations: A Street Cop’s Guide is a “street bible” that answers all the questions an officer might have about a gang investigation. This book covers proven investigation techniques for solving gang-related crimes. It is based on California's “street terrorism” anti-gang laws, which have been adopted by 26 other states. This book will train officers in how to best use those laws and help them successfully solve and prosecute more cases.

 

Included in this guide are vital resources for creating and running a successful anti-gang division including:

  • Field Interview Card
  • Gang Recognition and Definition Cards
  • Notice of Determination

ShowKey Features

Each chapter offers expert advice on topics such as setting up a gang unit, identifying a gang problem, and preparing for court.

An entire chapter on interview and interrogation tips and strategies prepares you to write a solid report and ensure appropriate action.

Appendices
     Appendix 3.1: La Florencia Letter
     Appendix 4.1: Field Interview Card
     Appendix 4.2A: Notice of Determination front
     Appendix 4.2B: Notice of Determination back
     Appendix 4.3A: Advisement English
     Appendix 4.3B: Advisement Spanish
     Appendix 4.4A: Gang Recognition Card
     Appendix 4.4B: Gang Definition Card
     Appendix 5.1: Search Warrant Seal
     Appendix 5.2: Writing a Search Warrant

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ShowTable of Contents

Chapter 1: Successful Gang Units
Chapter 2: Setting Up a Gang Unit
Chapter 3: Identifying a Gang Problem
Chapter 4: Field Contacts and Documentation
Chapter 5: Post Arrest
Chapter 6: Interviews and Interrogations
Chapter 7: Gang Expertise and Court Preparation
Chapter 8: Prison Gangs


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ShowAbout the Author(s)

Derrick Watkins-Santa Ana Police Dept (Retired), Santa Ana, California

Derrick Watkins is a retired gang detective from the Santa Ana Police Department, having worked in Los Angeles County prior to Santa Ana.  He has focused his career in the area of gangs as a patrol officer, while in major narcotics and as a gang detective.  He spent nine years of his career dedicated to criminal street gangs.  He is a court-recognized expert in Hispanic and White Supremacist gangs, having testified in the superior and federal courts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.  He has conducted training for the California Department of Justice, the State Attorney General, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and numerous local, state, and federal agencies across California and in several neighboring states.  He currently works as a private law enforcement consultant regarding the methods and attributes of criminal street gangs across the country.

Richard Ashby-Santa Ana Police Dept, Santa Ana, California

Detective Corporal Richard Ashby is a 20-year veteran of the Santa Ana Police Department.  He has focused his career in the area of gangs as a patrol officer, a member of special details, and as a gang detective.  He is a court-recognized expert in Hispanic gangs and has spent twelve years as a detective with the Santa Ana Police Department’s Gang Detail.  During those twelve years he worked as a gang suppression detective, investigating all gang related assaults and attempted murders within the city of Santa Ana.  He was also assigned to the Santa Ana Gang Homicide Detail, investigating gang related homicides.  In March of 2004 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and supervised the Santa Ana Gang Homicide Detail until February of 2006.  Presently he supervises the Santa Ana Police Department’s Graffiti Task Force.  

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