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•April 26, 2010

Going Beyond Suppression Patrols To Eradicate Gangs

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Curtis Jackson pioneered a different way to attack gangs. Instead of using "show of force" suppression patrols, Jackson relied on intelligent tactics.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•April 19, 2010

Facing the Facts of Gang Denial

Denial and minimization of a gang problem allows the city's criminal gangs to take root. It also thwarts proactive anti-gang measures.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•April 12, 2010

Mexican Mafia: The Most Dangerous Gang

No matter which big bad bloody band of barrio bad boys you might be dealing with, I'll bet they are taking their orders from prison-gang inmates. And when one prison gang member can walk with immunity into some street gang's turf and order them to murder one of their own, that's a clue.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•March 25, 2010

Grand Theft Auto and Gangs

Gang members, especially juveniles, receive little incarceration and lots of probation for car crimes. To gang members this is like a dog with rubber teeth, lots of bark but no bite. Almost every gang member I came in contact with in East Los Angeles and South Central Los Angeles had several prior convictions for some type of car theft.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•March 9, 2010

The Wolf Pack Mentality

Do not underestimate gang members because they are young or small, scrawny wolves. Maybe you have even encountered and dealt with several of them individually in the past. Maybe you know their names and their families. Don't assume that they will hesitate to attack you because you are bigger, better armed and capable of utilizing deadly force.

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

Gangs at the Amusement Park: Turning Fun Zones into Shooting Galleries

Most amusement parks have security forces, however, none of them are armed. Many forbid security from carrying; flashlights, pepper spray, or any less-lethal means of subduing a violent park patron.

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

Sureño Tattoos and Symbols

Sureños can be found in every major city in the U.S. They can be found in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and South America. The big transnational super gangs such as Florence, 18th Street, and Mara Salvatrucha threaten the stability of some Central American nations.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•February 16, 2010

Gangs in the Military: Loyalty to Homeboys or Homeland?

Web Extra: Read the National Gang Intelligence Center's Feb. 15 report on gang infiltration of law enforcement and corrections agencies.

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

Criminal Gangs and the Perfect Storm

If you live in one of the cities that accepted Katrina refugees, you know what followed. While most Katrina survivors were appreciative of their host communities and generally law abiding, the criminal element, mostly gangs, soon returned to their thug lifestyles.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•January 25, 2010

Gangster Clothing: Dressing for Success In Prison

No one in a predatory environment wanted tight, close-fitting clothing. Status in custody was displayed by wearing new, especially large baggy clothing, ironed or pressed to military-like creases.

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