The Importance of Intelligence

A first step to combating a gang problem is developing a solid and accurate intelligence system.  In order to take down the leadership we must first know and be able to prove who the leaders are and their rank within the organization.

To gather intel you obviously have to get people to talk with you.  In gang infested neighborhoods this can be a challenge but one that can be overcome.  Simply put you have to have boots on the ground and have officers mingling with the residents on a daily basis.  Winning over hearts and minds doesn't happen overnight.  There is often a gap that needs to be bridged between the police and the community.  This gap is generally created due to a distrust of the police by the community.  A failure to understand each other usually leads to the distrust.  We cannot build trust when we don't get out of our police cruisers.

When speaking with citizens we must always be honest and respectful.  Our word has to be our bond.  This is the only way to gain respect.  If you're word's no good you're no good.  In the culture where gangs often flourish this is the language the citizenry knows and understands.  Once you have earned that respect by being a man or woman of your word you will get respect in return.  Remember, it's not the uniform that the people respect, it's the person in that uniform.  The "big me little you" attitude has to go.  We have to be on a level plain otherwise we will get nowhere.

Along with earning respect show the people you care by acts of kindness and concern.  Demonstrate that you can be confided in and counted on by helping solve problems.  It may not be a crime related problem, it may be a quality of life issue.  Work with the residents and the agencies who deal with such issues and get these problems solved.  It could be a pothole in the street, a clogged storm sewer, an unruly child.  Whatever it is when you show that  you will get these types of  issues resolved the people will see that you genuinely care about them.  Rapport will begin building and they will open up to you about more serious concerns.

People will begin spoon feeding you information  about criminal activity.  You will usually not get the whole enchilada in one serving.  It is understandable that people fear retaliation if it becomes known that they are giving you such information.  Once you demonstrate that you can be confided in and trusted with sensitive information be prepared.  The flood gates will  open and information will begin  streaming in.

You must be willing to protect your sources at all costs.  Even under threats of disciplinary action if you refuse to divulge your sources identities.  For example, I received information from more than one source about a threat on the life of an officer who had a tense encounter with a gang member while off duty.  I documented the information and issued an officer safety alert.  I was called in to the director of  public safety's office in the middle of the night to meet with him and his two deputy directors.  He told me he wanted to know who  my sources were.  I  told him I could not give up that information.  I had given my sources my word that they would  not be disclosed and I would not breach that.  He threatened to order me to  give the information and I told him I would not go back on my word therefore even if he did order me I would  refuse to  provide him with the sources identities.  I stood my ground and the director backed down.

The neat thing  about developing rapport with the community is that they will give you information freely and willingly.  You don't have to buy it or threaten sanctions against them if they don't provide it.  Information gained through the latter means  is often inaccurate and unreliable anyway.  So the  former is  by far the better.

The gangs become uneasy when you develop rapport with the community.  But to the gang member looking  for a way out of  the organization you become a ray of  hope.  When an opportunity presents itself seize it and pick the brain of these members.  This is when you really have to know you're stuff.  If you have studied and memorized the gang's history and literature you and the member will be able to develop a rapport.  Once that rapport has been established the member will more than likely tell you anything you want to know.  They will also surrender all sorts of weapons and contraband and disclose plans for future crimes.  It is simply amazing at what you can accomplish just by having a good rapport.  And it won't cost you a dime.
        

Documenting accurate intel requires the analyst to be highly trained in the various gangs that inhabit their community.  I have seen numerous cases where an officer who lacked the required gang training was given faulty intel and documented it as fact.  This creates many problems for obvious reasons.  Training cannot be overstated when it comes to an effective anti gang initiative.  A good motto is trust but verify.  Always verify the information before documenting it as fact.  For example, if a guy tells you he's a Black P Stone and he's got a Mickey Cobra tattoo you know he is not being truthful.  If you don't know the signs, symbols, colors, handshakes, gang laws, etc. you're in trouble.  Verify what you're being told by indicators and other intelligence.  

Once you have you're intelligence system up and running you can go to work on the leadership.  You'll be able to connect the dots and make cases which will withstand the test in a criminal trial.  Without an intel system you're spinning you're wheels.