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.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•August 3, 2010

Ask the Right Questions the Right Way

The Mexican Mafia informant was making me nervous. He was in top physical condition and we were unarmed and in a very isolated part of the Men's Central Jail. Fifty-some year olds, like Frank and I, would have had our hands full fighting with this witness had he decided to fight.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•July 28, 2010

Know Your Enemy's History

One must understand our adversary's history and motivation in order to predict his future activities. Real intelligence opens the mind to why and how the adversary thinks, so we might be proactive rather than reactive to his attack.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•July 8, 2010

Corrections Officers Give You the Edge

If you are a law enforcement administrator, consider multiplying your gang intelligence resources with a gang liaison officer or gang unit in the jail. If you are a gang officer working on the street, consider cultivating an in-custody officer to assist you in the jail.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•July 1, 2010

How Gang Members Ambush Officers

Any suspect, who may feel cornered, may unexpectedly turn and ambush pursuing police officers. Situations for possible gang-ambush traps may spring from successful tactics practiced on gang rivals and adapted to spring on police officers.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•June 21, 2010

Mexican Cartel Violence: None Dare Call It Terrorism

In the last three years, 23,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the Mexican drug gang violence. This daily body count rivals totals from Iraq and Afghanistan, but the U.S. downplays any "cross-border spillover" or homeland security threat. None dare call this terrorism.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•June 14, 2010

The Border War With Mexican Cartels

The word "war" is not just hyperbole; it correctly describes what is going on. It's estimated that the violence—kidnapping and murder—has driven 400,000 locals out of the Juarez area with an estimated 30,000 fleeing to El Paso and beyond. A U.S. border sheriff claimed that the cartels printed fliers ordering his residents to evacuate their homes in the border area or they would be murdered.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•June 2, 2010

Patron Saints of the Mexican Drug Underworld (Part 2 of 2)

Some human sacrifices to Santa Muerte have been claimed in Tijuana and Nuevo Laredo in 2006. In 2008, 11 headless bodies were found in the Yucatan and the heads were said to have been burned in honor of Santa Muerte.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•June 1, 2010

Patron Saints of the Mexican Drug Underworld (Part 1 of 2)

In a strange way, the iconography ties together much of the evil perpetrated by the gangs that are trafficking in drugs and human beings and their violent inhuman behavior. There is a spiritual dimension to their madness and recognition of the signs and symbols of their belief system can help you identify them.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•May 24, 2010

Gangsters in Blue

What are these cops thinking? Don't they realize that they are being used by the gang? Can't they see that should their gang friends become engaged in a violent situation (which is inevitable) there can be no good outcome for the badged members and associates?

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•May 5, 2010

Gangs Abandon Honor for an Unholy Alliance

The lure of filthy lucre is too great. Gang members betray the ancient warrior's code of conduct for new tires and fancy rims, or a dime bag of dope. Honor is replaced by "bling."

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