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•September 15, 2009

Gang Enablers and Co-Dependents

These supposed “non-gang” gang supporters are too often shown leniency by the prosecutors and courts. They have as much culpability for the acts of the gang members they support as the actual drug dealing murderers. The bloody violence clearly stains the gang supporter’s hands as well, and it is their actions that make the violence possible.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•June 19, 2009

Vigilante Justice

We all fear that the justice system seems unable to protect us or punish the bad guys. When these conditions and feelings become extreme, self protection groups are spawned, and average people become vigilantes.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•March 10, 2009

Some Cops Are Just Not Cut Out to Work Gangs

Picking the right people, who have the skills and ability to work with gangs and in small specialized units, makes or breaks any gang unit, but the OSS (Operation Safe Streets) leadership (in a major lapse of sanity) promoted TC and transferred him into the gang unit. He was placed in charge of a team, and this team became a problem.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•January 28, 2009

Breaking the Viking Code

“East Los Angeles 24 handle, 23 to assist, 245 just occurred,” came the strangely calm and feminine voice on the radio. The call was directed to my unit. She further described that at least four victims were down and an ambulance and paramedics were already dispatched. She said it was possibly gang related.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•February 22, 2008

How Gangs Use the Justice System

Gang members have found inventive ways of bringing drugs into the courts. Perhaps the most offensive method of delivery was to enlist the help of court officers.

Articles•by Richard Valdemar•December 1, 2007

Kel-Tec PF-9 Pistol

For undercover police work or even off-duty use, a small gun that can easily be concealed yet fires a reasonably powerful cartridge is essential. Kel-Tec has recently introduced its PF-9, which the company touts as the slimmest and lightest 9mm semi-auto handgun on the market.

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•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 4, 2007

Bebop, Doo Wop, and Hip Hop – Music and the Madness

Following the horrors of WWI, American culture descended into the "almost anything goes" attitude of liberal Europe. Scantily clad "Flappers" and dapper gangsters got high on drugs and booze and danced the Charleston to brazen jazz bands.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•July 5, 2007

Mexican Drug Cartel Cowboys and DTOs

For more than a decade, Los Angeles street gangs have been killing about 550 to 600 people in L.A. County each year. What you probably don't know is that Mexican nationals, primarily illegal aliens, murder about an equal amount yearly. Many of these murders involve rivalries and vendettas that originated in states, cities, and ranchos in Mexico. They usually often involve Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO).

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