The Gang Task Force , established in 1996 under a federal grant, gathers intelligence data to identify and prosecute organized gang members in court in a proactive effort to identify and eliminate organized gang membership and activity. This unit interacts closely with the school resource officers in the middle and upper grade schools. This unit investigates all gang-related incidents. Since 1995, School Resource Officers were placed in the five schools middle and upper grade schools in the Enterprise Zone. They serve as mentors, role models, teachers, and stabilizing influences for the educational environment.
Documentation includes video taping, still photography, and scale diagrams or drawings.
They also present evidence in court, which is critical to the overall process of prosecution. Latent fingerprint examination for classification and comparisons is also a vital function of this section. The Technical Services Section Supervisor also oversees the Property Management Section. Property, if not needed for court purposes, is returned to its owners whenever possible. Evidence seized is either held for court disposition, or if necessary, is transported to our lab or to the State Crime Lab for further analysis.