GANG FILES: DATA THAT PAYS FOR ITSELF

By: Lou Savelli

Gang Files must be working intelligence data files are files that can be carried around from place to place.  They need to portable so they can be taken into a car for your unit’s members to view them and be able to identify gang members on the street or bring the photos to a victim’s house for viewing.  Laptops and PDAs make this more possible than ever.  Having a comprehensive database or file system will pay for itself in gang investigations over and over. 

Data Files include, but are not limited to:

Photo File

A Photo File should include clean, usable, legal photographs, similar in size, of any gang member you have come in contact with, heard about, or presently have documented. You should endeavor to obtain a photo of any gang member you presently do not have a photo of and obtaining it by any legitimate means. (seizure, surveillance, government agencies, etc)

Individual File


An individual file is a file that maintains any pertinent information related to a particular gang member. This information can include witness statements, hearsay, any police reports, intelligence reports or notes taken by you or a fellow officer about the individual.  This information will come in handy.

Associate(s) File

An associate file contains anyone’s information that associates with a gang or gang member within your jurisdiction. These associates may be able to provide, at a later date, pertinent information on one of your targets.

Rival File

A rival file includes information on individuals and gangs at odds with your targeted gangs or gangsters (other gang member or victim).  These individuals (rivals) may be able to provide information needed against your targets.  Also, today’s victim is tomorrow’s perpetrator. Today’s victim is tomorrow’s witness for the prosecution.

Tag/Nickname Files

Gang members will place their tag upon a wall while sending a derogatory or threatening message to an enemy or rival gang member. Most gang members and street people only know each other by nicknames.  It is important to create a tag/nickname file and endeavor to match those names with the real (Government) names and appropriate gangs.

Updated Parole List

Up to date Parole lists will keep you abreast of which gang members are on Parole and susceptible to violation of Parole when they break the rules of their Parole.  Also, Parolees and gang members on Parole, with the right circumstances, can become valuable informants.

Updated Probation List

Up to date Probation lists will keep you abreast of which gang members are on Probation and susceptible to violation of Probation when they break the rules of their Probation.  Also, Probationers and gang members on Probation, with the right circumstances, can become valuable informants.

NOTE: In most jurisdictions, Parolees and/or Probationers cannot associate with gang members.

Vehicle File

It is important to maintain information on vehicles used or owned by gang members since a vehicle description, license plate number or partial plate number may be mentioned in a drive by shooting or other crimes.

Surveillance Archives

Surveillance conducted by you or your unit, as well as fellow officers (Field interviews, etc) must be documented since such information may connect your target to gang associations, crimes, and place (document) them in areas near a crime.  Many of this information will come into play later on in your investigations.

Organization Charts w/ photos

Maintaining organization charts of your local gangs is important.  They act as a guide to proper targeting of key figures in the gang.  It is a great reference guide for other officers to understand the leaders and soldiers of the gang.  It is important as a constant reminder of the gang members faces.

Hangout File

Gangs hang out in bars, schoolyards, nightclubs, buildings and street corners.  These locations are prone to graffiti and other crime.  Maintaining information on these hangouts will enable you to keep abreast of the gang’s influence on the location and may lead to positive interdiction against the gang and a wealth of other information. 

Creating Set Books

Set books, which will include the photos of the gang members that hang out at a specific location should be Portable, Workable, and Accurate.  The books, can be carried around from place to place, either in a photo book or electronic file on a laptop, CD, DVD, or PDA.  They must be continually updated.  

Gang Intelligence files will be used over and over again and will assist in solving a multitude of gang related crimes.