U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Specialized Gang Units: Form and Function in Community Policing, Final Report
NCJ Number
              207204

Author(s)
          Deborah  Lamm Weisel;
                        Tara  O'Connor Shelley
Date Published

October 2004
Length
              241 pages
Annotation
              This study examined the extent to which community policing and specialized gang units are complementary or conflicting approaches in either principle or practice.
Abstract
              Between 1980 and the mid-1990's, the number of specialized gang units in American law enforcement agencies increased substantially. This was due to the increase in the number of gangs, gang members, and violent crime in many jurisdictions across the country. In addition to the development of specialized gang units, there was the adoption of community policing. The question became whether community policing and the specialized gang units complemented each other or were in conflict with each other. This study, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, began by describing the missions and functions of the gang units in each jurisdiction and the specific types of activities engaged in by gang units. The study consisted of an examination of police responses to gang problems in San Diego and Indianapolis, in order to compare police policy regarding gang control to actual police practices in the context of community policing. The study consisted of two phases: examining police policy and examining police practice. The greater use of discriminate strategies and strategic approaches to gangs in the Indianapolis and San Diego Police Departments appears to reflect the influence of community and problem-oriented policing in modern police agencies. Crime prevention and crime control were seen as reasonable objectives for police in relation to gang problems. However, preventing the formation of gangs is beyond the mission of today’s police agencies. The study suggests that gang units can have an important role in modern policing and should be formed and structured to reflect both local experiences and concerns. There is little evidence that gang units conflict with community policing in principle or practice and have the ability to balance community policing. References, tables and data collection instruments
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        98-IJ-CX-0083


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)
    
  
  
Date Published: October 1, 2004
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Community policing
        Crime prevention measures
        Crime prevention planning
        Crime specific countermeasures
        Gang prevention



  
Similar Publications
        
                      The Problem with Criminal Records: Discrepancies between State Reports and Private-sector Background Checks
                  What's Sex (Composition) Got To Do With It? The Importance of Sex Composition of Gangs for Female and Male Members' Offending and Victimization
                  GC-MS and GC-IRD Studies on Dimethoxyamphetamines (DMA): Regioisomers Related to 2,5-DMA
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov