Police Magazine

Richard Valdemar

Sergeant (Ret.)

Sgt. Richard Valdemar retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after spending most of his 33 years on the job combating gangs. For the last 20 years, he was assigned to Major Crimes Bureau. He was also cross-designated as an FBI agent for 10 years of his career when he served on the Federal Metropolitan Gang Task Force. From 1995 until his retirement in 2004, Valdemar was a member of the California Prison Gang Task Force, helping prosecute members of the Mexican Mafia.

Articles•by Richard Valdemar•October 11, 2016

Tactical Nostalgia

In police work I would never wish to return to those ancient cumbersome flashlights, or Nash Rambler patrol cars, or the lack of portable radios or body armor. But today even our firearms have become tech heavy.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•December 8, 2014

Fueling the Flames in Ferguson

So far I have exercised what I consider "commendable restraint" in holding back my public comments on the recent events in Ferguson, Mo. Frankly I have not voiced my strong opinions because, like Sheriff David Clarke says, it just pisses me off.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•December 26, 2013

The Fallacy of Gun Buyback Programs

What you usually see in any gun buyback program is elderly people turning in old junk guns from some closet or garage where they have sat gathering dust for many years.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•September 30, 2013

Carcinogenic Cannabis

Federal, state and local police as well as other government officials have succumbed to the money involved in the cannabis cancer. Whether it's the legal medical marijuana trade or illegal drug-trafficking gangs, it originates from the same criminal sources.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•September 20, 2013

Getting Away With Murder

The release in Mexico of one of the men responsible for the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena has renewed tension between the U.S. and Mexico over the case.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•August 30, 2013

Is Mexican Cartel Activity In the U.S. Exaggerated?

Many of the Mexican cartel crimes in the illegal alien community go unreported. The ugly crimes of kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion, gang violence, and unsolved murders are often committed by Mexican cartel members in cities across the United States but remain unreported.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•August 13, 2013

The Mexican Mafia: Down But Not Out

Every time law enforcement thought that they had knocked out or retired the Eme organization, they found that the Eme came back again. The Mexican Mafia absorbed the blows and grew stronger.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•July 23, 2013

A Devil's Playground for Gang Members

The court transportation system is the first weak point. Did you know that 40% of all inmate escapes occur during transport? Any gang member who's spent any time in custody has practiced slipping out of handcuffs and shackles, and you can bet one or more of them carry jail-made handcuff keys.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•July 9, 2013

Gangsterish Athletes and Their Entourages

Like so many lucky lotto winners, the same fame and financial fortune that helps them escape the ghetto contributes to bringing them down. This is especially true for success stories with gang backgrounds. The entourage of these celebrity gangsters always includes their gangster friends.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•June 24, 2013

A Path to Citizenship for Gangs and Terrorists

In April, I joined many other local, state, and federal law enforcement experts in Washington D.C. to voice opposition to the flawed amnesty bill misnamed as "The Border Security, Economic, Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act."

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