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Applicable To: FOD sworn employees |
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Approval Authority: Deputy Chief E. N. Finley |
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Signature: Signed by ENF |
Date Signed: 12/16/11 |
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1. PURPOSE
Gang membership has increased within the City of Atlanta, thus spotlighting the need for a specialized discretionary unit to focus on the challenges gang activity creates. This unit will be knowledgeable, prepared, and organized in their approach to confronting this type of activity.
It is the policy of Atlanta Police Department to aggressively monitor, track, and suppress the growth and spread of gang activity by establishing proactive solutions.
3.1 The Field Operations Division (FOD) commander will monitor the forming and deploying of Gang Initiatives in each zone and ensure that adequate personnel, equipment, and resources are provided.
3.2 The zone section commanders will form a Gang Initiative Discretionary Unit within their section and monitor its operation.
3.3 The Gang Initiative Discretionary Unit commander will develop plans and direct operations designed to identify, verify, monitor, and suppress gang activity.
3.4 The Gang Initiative Discretionary Unit supervisor will implement the Gang Initiative plans and direct employees during operations. Supervisors will serve as liaison with the CID Gang Unit.
4. ACTION
4.1 Problem
4.1.1 Gang activity has increased within the city of Atlanta.
4.1.2 This has caused an increase in crime and a loss of security for members of the community.
4.2 Strategies
4.2.1 Zone commanders will implement a minimum two-man discretionary unit designed to focus specifically on gang activity within identified target areas.
4.2.2 The discretionary unit will identify areas where gang activity is prevalent within their area of responsibility.
4.2.3 The discretionary unit will familiarize themselves with and identify common traits of differing gangs such as clothing, tattoos, criminal activity, modus operandi, slogans, gang symbols, and any other behavior that would identify an individual as a member of a particular gang organization.
4.2.4 The discretionary unit will identify known associates of incarcerated gang members and collect information from police reports, arrest tickets, booking photos and written statements regarding possible gang affiliation.
4.2.5 The discretionary unit will determine if the known gang members are on active probation/parole and contact the Atlanta Community Impact Program (ACIP) as applicable.
4.2.6 The discretionary unit will identify and run a title search on all properties associated with an arrested known gang member to determine the lawful owner and appropriate measures. The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office will be contacted to determine if any Federal RICO violations are present.
4.2.7 The discretionary unit will also investigate ownership and tag information for all vehicles associated with gang activity.
4.2.8 A detailed gang book will be maintained by the discretionary unit containing photographs of known gang members, areas of concern, any important tattoos or symbols associated with the gang, and any other important photographs determined to be relevant by the unit.
4.2.9 The discretionary unit will actively patrol all targeted areas, engaging in proactive measures such as: conducting field interviews (APD.SOP.3065 “Field Interviews”) and speaking with community members regarding their observations and concerns as they pertain to gang activity.
4.2.10 The discretionary unit will maintain open communications and seek assistance as necessary with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Gang Unit and forward all important information on a regular basis.
4.2.11 The discretionary unit and the CID Gang Unit will meet monthly to discuss gang related issues and concerns.
4.2.12 The discretionary unit will actively respond to any gang related incident and assist the responding officer and investigative unit.
4.2.13 The discretionary unit, at the direction of the section commander, will conduct follow-up investigations on past gang related activities.
4.3 Results
4.3.1 Increased police visibility in areas associated with Gang activity.
4.3.2 Improved intelligence gathering and dissemination as it pertains to gang activity. This will allow officers to become more knowledgeable when interacting with these individuals as well as broadening awareness of activities exclusive to these organizations.
4.3.3 Decreased criminal gang activity.
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.
5.4 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."
5.5 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.
N/A
APD.SOP.5070 Gang Task Force APD.SOP.3065 Field Interviews |
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