Gang Investigations and Interdiction

Course Length: 24 hours

Dates: September 21-23, 2026

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Class Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Fee: $695.00

Instructor: Mark Mitchell

Venue: Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 (IPTM - University of North Florida)

Course Overview

This comprehensive 24-hour program equips law enforcement professionals with essential knowledge and practical skills for investigating criminal gang activity. Participants will develop a thorough understanding of how gangs are legally defined, classified, and structured, as well as how traditional, non-traditional, hybrid, and transitional gang organizations operate across local, state, and national jurisdictions.

A key focus of this course is the critical role that accurate documentation at the patrol level plays in building intelligence, facilitating inter-agency communication, supporting organized crime investigations, and enabling successful prosecutions at both state and federal levels, including RICO cases. Students will master techniques for recognizing and identifying gang members and gang-controlled territories by observing specific markers such as symbols, colors, tattoos, graffiti, hand signals, distinctive clothing, and behavioral patterns.

Real-world examples featuring gangs including the Crips, Bloods, Folk Nation, People Nation, Latin Kings, and MS-13 illustrate how street-level police activity connects to larger violent criminal networks. The course combines lecture-based instruction with interactive discussion and hands-on investigative applications designed to improve officer safety, strengthen enforcement strategies, and maximize community protection.

Topics Covered

• Legal frameworks and definitions of criminal gangs
• Classification systems: traditional, non-traditional, hybrid, and transitional gangs
• Recognition of gang identifiers including symbols, tattoos, colors, graffiti, and clothing
• Major street, prison, and regional gang organizations
• Documentation methods and intelligence gathering
• Patrol approaches and investigative effectiveness
• Links to organized crime and enterprise-level criminal investigations
• State and federal gang statutes and RICO legislation
• Analysis of gang-related cases and law enforcement outcomes
• Introduction to negotiation techniques

Intended Audience

This training is designed for patrol officers, law enforcement personnel assigned to areas experiencing gang activity, officers transitioning into specialized gang units, and those newly appointed to gang investigation positions. Agencies establishing or expanding dedicated gang investigation divisions will find this course particularly valuable. Only sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel are eligible to attend.

Important Notes

This course includes graphic and sensitive real-world case material related to violent crime and gang activity and is intended exclusively for sworn or criminal justice professionals.

Recommended Materials: Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet for note-taking and reference during classroom discussions.