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•November 21, 2007

Gangs, Guns, and Political Games

I have never arrested a gang member who lawfully possessed a gun and who purchased it legitimately. So banning legitimate gun-related purchases only disarms the lawful citizens, making it easier for the unlawful to victimize them.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•November 15, 2007

California Gang Migration

Rivals within the California prison system, Norteños and Sureños sometimes unite outside of California as "Califas" when they become active in other states.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•November 2, 2007

The Killing Mindset

Recently the FBI published a study entitled "Violent Encounters: A study of Felonious Assaults on Our Nation's Law Enforcement Officers," which found that criminal gang members and other felons practice their skills with firearms more often and shoot more accurately then the police officers they try to kill.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•October 25, 2007

Criminal Gangs in the Military

I wondered to myself how these obvious tattoos could be missed by his Marine Corps superiors, especially the Sureño tattoo in large letters across his chest. The suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting and said, "I did it for the brotherhood and the brown side." He then exposed the Sureño tattoo.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•September 24, 2007

The Aryan Brotherhood—The Dogs of War (Part 2 of 2)

Members of criminal gangs are commonly motivated by greed and vengeance. However, the most dangerous individuals that I have encountered are motivated by ideological and theological beliefs. And members of the Aryan Brotherhood fit the latter category.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•September 19, 2007

The Aryan Brotherhood—The Dogs of War (Part 1 of 2)

Like the dangerous Presa Carnario dogs that are loved by the Aryan Brotherhood, and which have for centuries been bred as fighting dogs, some men don't do well caged with others. Some require their handlers to cage them individually, as they are dangerous even when confined with their own breed. Mad dogs and mad men must be isolated from others, or put down.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•September 12, 2007

History of the Florence 13 Gang

When most Americans think of Hispanic gangs, they think of East Los Angeles, the San Fernando or San Gabriel Valleys, Boyle Heights, or Downtown Los Angeles. They would be surprised to know that much of Los Angeles Hispanic gang history actually happened in South Central.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•September 4, 2007