GANG INVESTIGATIONS BUILDING BLOCKS Expanded Course Outline and Hourly Distribution For Two-Day, 16 Hour Course Instructor: Michael Whittington Learners: Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Investigators, Homicide Investigators, Gang Investigators, Juvenile Crime Investigators, District Attorney Investigators, Major Crime Investigative Unit Commanders. Length of Instruction: Two 8-Hours Day: 16 Hours Total Objective: The students will learn how to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into gang related crimes. Students will be able to evaluate the incident, coordinate investigative resources, and manage the investigation from the initial callout through the final disposition. Students will be exposed to the court aspects of proving a gang enhancement. The class is not an expert testimony specific class. Day One: 0800-1000: I. Building Block One - Understanding/Utilizing 186.22 PC A. 186.22a PC section 1. Chargeable a. Types of cases 2. Sentencing and Jury Instructions a. Active Participation v Membership 3. Case Law a. People v Rodriguez B. 186.22b PC section 1. Chargeable a. Types of cases 2. Sentencing and Jury Instructions a. Association b. Benefit c. Direction of 3. Case Law relevant to gang investigations a. People v Albillar b. People v Prunty c. People v Edwards C. Group Practical 186.22 charging decisions 1. Group Scenario - Facilitated a. Break into groups of 4-5 students b. React to scenario/ discussion on charging
1000-1200: II. Building Block Two - Basic Gang Investigation - Easily Identifiable Suspects A. Case Review/Study/Group Exercise 1. Review the case as a group (Video) a. Students lay out basic investigative steps - Facilitated 2. Prioritize fragile data (preservation) a. Technology (data/video update) 3. Prioritize interviews a. Victim b. Key witnesses c. Canvass possible witnesses 4. Evidence vital to crime completion 5. Suspect identification a. Agency Specific line ups b. On View Arrest/Ramey/Warrant 6. Evidence vital to gang prosecution a. Suspect Membership b. Other crimes 7. Interview B. "Building Block" Review 1300-1500: III. Building Block Three - Advanced Gang Investigation - Unknown Suspects A. Case Review/Study/Group Exercise 1. Review the case as a group (Video) a. Utilizing Previous Building Block Students dictate plan 2. Technology Discussion a. Surveillance Technology 3. Patrol Utilization a. Trak Flyer b. Team Briefings c. LPR d. Proactivity 4. Decision Making a. Arrest/Identify b. Timing c. Evidence Consideration 5. Social Media a. Uses/Pitfalls b. SB 178 new legislation update c. Search Warrants d. Geo-Fencing e. Account Management f. Documentation 6. Cellphones
a. Tower Dumps b. Search Warrants c. SB 178 new legislation d. Data Processing e. Mapping 7. Suspect Identification and arrest 8. Search Warrant/Arrest Operations a. Case Management with large personnel 9. Gang Specific Evidence a. Indicia b. Jail communications (mail/kites) c. Photos d. Collect vs Photograph 10. Interviews a. Victims (gang affiliation) b. Suspects i. "Dry Snitch" ii. "Wet Snitch" iii. Cooperators iv. Snitches B. "Building Block" review 1500-1600: IV. Building Block Four - Documentation A. Crime Documentation 1. Basic B. Gang Documentation 1. Styles 2. Source Documents a. Types b. Intel Files c. Intel Sources 3. People v Edwards update 1600-1700: V. Final Review/Questions/Unique Situations A. Pass out Prepared Reports B. Building Block Procedure Cards
Day Two: Building Block Five (Understanding Court) 0800-0900 I. Establishing Training and Experience A. Resume Building - by scripted student - by instructor C. Class Debrief 0900-1030 II. What is the gang? A. Establishing gangs by 186.22 Criteria 1. Gang Scenario a. Group Scenario discussing gang v non gang C. Class Debrief 1030-1200 III. Predicate or Pattern Offenses A. Required Cases to qualify gang 1. California v Prunty 1300-1500 IV. Gang Membership A. Member vs Associate vs "Active Participant" 1. California v Edwards 2. Group Scenario Exercises a. Determining if membership mattered or not for 186.22 1500-1600 V. Ultimate Opinion A. Hypothetical 1. People v. Albillar
1600-1700 VI. Course Wrap up and Questions A. Transcript hand outs B. Sample report handouts. C. Shared phone list hand out Facilities, Materials, and Personnel: Class runtime is 0800-1700 (with a one-hour lunch) Dry Erase Board Tear Away White 3m Sticky Presentation Pads Laptop Computer with Powerpoint/Video/Speakers LCD Projector Handout Packets DVDs for each student (containing resource templates and exemplars of evidence)