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Applicable To:  All sworn employees

Approval Authority:  Chief George N. Turner

Signature:  Signed by GNT

Date Signed:  12/29/11

.                 PURPOSE

To establish procedures for gathering data on gang-related crimes.

2.               POLICY

The Atlanta Police Department shall investigate gang-related crimes, and collect and analyze information about such crimes.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              Officers responding to the scene of a crime shall collect any existing records and/or evidence of gang involvement.

3.2              Patrol supervisors shall review  officers' reports and field contact tabs on ICIS for proper documentation of gang involvement.

3.3              Investigators shall retain responsibility for investigating gang-related crimes within their specialized areas and they shall also collect and record evidence that tends to indicate gang involvement.  The collected information, indicating gang involvement, shall be forwarded to the Intelligence Unit prior to the end of the investigators’ shift.  

3.4              Investigative supervisors shall review their investigators' work for proper documentation of gang involvement.

3.5              The Intelligence Unit is responsible for monitoring and collecting intelligence on gangs and for preparing an annual report on gangs.

3.6              The Central Records Unit shall forward any offense report on gang-related incidents to the impacted zone, to the Gang Unit, to the appropriate investigative unit and to the Intelligence Unit. 

4.               ACTION

4.1              The officer responding to a crime scene shall take notice of evidence or other indicators of a possible gang crime based on the following criteria:

1.    The motivation of the perpetrator.

2.    The perception of the victim.

3.    The display of gang symbols, words, or acts.

4.    Groups involved in the attack.

5.    Manner and means of attack.

4.2              If a gang-related crime appears to have been committed, the reporting officer shall check the appropriate box on the incident report and include in the narrative any facts which tend to indicate gang-related activity.

4.3              The Gang Unit shall investigate gang-related crimes in conjunction with the Major Crimes Unit.  Information on gang members or gang activity shall be verified, documented, and entered in the intelligence system within 24 hours of verifying the information.

4.4              The Gang Unit shall maintain an information system on all known gang members, activities of street drug gangs and delinquent groups.  Information entered into the system must be verified.  The information shall be shared on a systematic basis with law enforcement, probation, and parole authorities to track gang activity.

4.5              The Gang Unit shall prepare and forward the annual report through the chain of command to the chief of police, with copies forwarded to the Central Records Unit and to the Planning and Research/Accreditation Unit.

5.               DEFINITIONS

5.1              Gang/Criminal Street Gang:  Any organization, association, or group of three or more persons associated in fact, whether formal or informal, which engages in criminal gang activity as defined in O.C.G.A. 16-15-3.  The existence of such organization, association, or group of individuals associated in fact may be established by evidence of a common name or common identifying signs, symbols, tattoos, graffiti, or attire or other distinguishing characteristics.  Such term shall not include three or more persons, associated in fact, whether formal or informal, who are not engaged in criminal gang activity.

 

5.2              Gang-Related Crime:  Criminal acts that include gang violence or gang retaliation related to turf protection, signing, recruitment or any criminal activity such as drug trafficking.  Any incident wherein participants, suspects, or victims are identified gang members or associates.  When a reliable informant identifies an incident as gang activity.  When an informant of previously untested reliability identifies an incident as gang activity and it is corroborated by other attendant circumstances or independent verification.

5.3              Gang Member:  Gang member identification is based on the following criteria:

1.    When an individual admits membership in a gang.

2.    When a reliable informant identifies an individual as a gang member.

3.    When an informant of previously untested reliability identifies an individual as a gang member and it is corroborated by independent verification.

4.    When an individual resides in or frequents a particular gang's area and affects their style of dress, use of hand signs, symbols, or tattoos, and associates with known gang members.

5.    When an individual has been arrested several times in the company of identified gang members for offenses which are consistent with usual gang activity.

6.    When there are strong indications that an individual has a close relationship with a gang but does not fit the above criteria, he should be identified as a "gang associate."

5.4              Gang-Related Crime Data:  Data on gang-related incidents involving the criminal acts of homicide, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, simple battery, robbery, armed robbery, aggravated battery, burglary, drug trafficking, disorderly conduct, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, statutory rape, rape, stalking, theft, arson, vandalism, trespass, threats, racketeering, damage or vandalism of property, violating the security protocols of any state or county correctional facility, and aid or encourage a minor to escape from custody.

5.               Gang Symbols and Indicators:

1.    Graffiti:  may represent a gang name, the nickname of a gang member, denote turf boundaries, resemble graffiti of gangs in chronic problem neighbors or cities ("wannabees"), or indicate disrespect for rival gang symbols.

2.    Clothes/Colors:  each gang is usually but not always identified by distinctive colors or color combinations of clothing, hats, shoe laces, etc.  Clothing, such as sweaters, gloves, hats, and pants, may be worn in a particular manner to indicate gang affiliation.

3.    Tattoos:  usually illustrating gang symbols, gang name or the gang moniker of the individual usually found on different parts of the body.

4.    Signing:  hand and arm signals and special body expressions may be used to identify membership in a specific gang or confederation, or may signify a challenge to a rival gang.

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  APD.SOP.3067 Gang Data Reporting effective date October 11, 2006

7.               REFERENCES

                  Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Sections 16-15-3, 16-15-4 and 16-15-9