Lakewood Police Department
Policy and Procedure
                    		 Effective Date: 03/24/2025 
Policy Number: PP-4620 - Gang Enforcement
  1. Policy

    The department recognizes that the predisposed nature of certain gangs is toward violence and the commission of criminal acts.  The proliferation of these gangs and gang-related crimes is no longer merely a matter facing urban communities, and has become a matter of statewide concern. Gang activity involves a multitude of crimes, and illegal drug use and drug trafficking constitute common factors associated with all gang-related activities in the continuing pattern of gang-related violence. It is the intent of this department that gangs and gang activities will not be tolerated. 

    To aid in the identification and location of gangs and gang members, to prevent recruitment of new gang members, and to contain the spread of gang violence, agents shall collect and report information on all types of gangs. Information concerning a subject's political, religious, or social views, associations, or the activities of any individual or gang may not be maintained unless such information directly relates to criminal conduct or activity and there is reasonable suspicion that the subject of the information may be or is involved in criminal conduct or enterprise. 
  2. Procedure
    1. Gang - A group of three or more individuals with a common interest, bond and whose activity is characterized by criminal or delinquent conduct. 
    2. A gang member shall be defined as:
      1. An individual who proclaims or admits his association, affiliation, membership or allegiance with an identified gang, or;
      2. An individual who commits a gang motivated crime as defined in this section or;
      3. An individual who exhibits two or more of the following:
        1. Wears clothing or has tattoos, other than part of a fashion trend, which are known to be associated with a gang or gang activities. 
        2. Displays mannerisms, which are consistent with those known to be associated with a gang or gang activities. 
        3. Admits to the use of a moniker consistent with those used by gang members. 
        4. Authors graffiti, which is known to be associated with a gang or gang activities. 
        5. Admits to detailed knowledge of a gang or gang activities. 
        6. Has been identified as a gang member by a previously reliable informant. 
      4. An individual who has been identified as a gang member by other law enforcement agencies using identical or more restrictive criteria than is outlined above. 
    3. Identifying Information" - Under the following circumstances, the names of individuals, locations, organizations, groups or businesses that are not suspected of criminal involvement, but that provide relevant descriptive, identifying information regarding a gang member, may be entered as "Non-criminal Identifying Information."
    4. "Gang Motivated Crime" an act which would be criminal or delinquent under federal, state or local law and which is committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any gang to promote, further, or assist the gang or gang member. 
    5. Gang involved and gang motivated crimes and incidents and contacts shall be marked as such in Records by checking the "gang related" box pursuant to procedure.  The reason that the crime or incident is suspected to be gang motivated or involved or why the suspect is believed to be a gang member must be documented in the report or summons. 
    6. Graffiti reports shall contain information on the property owner and whether they were notified to have the graffiti removed pursuant to City ordinance.  The report will indicate if a photograph of the graffiti was taken.  A photograph will not be necessary if the graffiti is reproduced in the body of the report. 
      1. Graffiti reports are routed to the Theft Team for review. 
        2.                    
      2. The Code Enforcement Unit shall be responsible for compliance follow-up. 
    7. All gang contacts shall be documented on the computer Niche Field Interview Report (FIR).  
    8. An effective means for identifying gang involved and motivated crimes and incidents and contacts is the process of reviewing reports.  As a consequence:
      1. When an Investigation Division supervisor identifies a report as being gang involved or motivated he shall cause a copy of the report to be forwarded to the SIU Sergeant. The SIU Sergeant or designee shall be responsible for tracking the report for statistical purposes.   

 

NEXT: PP-4700 - Property Booking