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•March 29, 2011

Corruption In Collegiate Athletics

The abuses from professional sports would eventually taint college recruitment. Money under the table, trips to strip clubs and topless bars, and steroid and other strength enhancing substances used by players scandalized the college recruitment system.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•March 22, 2011

Encounters with Bloods and Crips

Whether on duty or off duty, whether you are a federal agent or a county sheriff, whether intended or unintended, close encounters with Blood and Crip gang members can be very dangerous.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•March 15, 2011

La Cosa Nostra: Alive and Kicking

On the strength of 16 indictments, federal agents arrested 119 alleged members of La Cosa Nostra Sicilian Mafia in late-January raids in the Northeast. This was an outstanding blow against the Mob, but it's not a fatal blow.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•March 8, 2011

Hells Angels: Taking Away Their Toys

When you plan a raid of Hell Angels outlaw motorcycle gang locations for felons, drugs, and guns, don't assume you'll encounter good old boys who ride bikes as a hobby and don't mean to hurt anyone.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•March 1, 2011

Roots of the Armenian Power Gang

In Los Angeles, the Armenian Power street gang was linked not only to the Sureño alliance and the Mexican Mafia prison gang, but also to their elders in the Armenian organized crime groups. They often victimized members of their own community, and supported the radical politically motivated acts of groups such as the JCAG.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•February 15, 2011

Gang Finances: Living Off the Grid

Gang members belong to a gangster culture, believing that only lame punks do menial work for "the man." Why be a lowly worker, when you can be the boss? As a carjacker, burglar, armed robber, or drug dealer, you are the boss. You own your own business. You call the shots.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•February 8, 2011

Equal Justice Under the Law?

If ending corruption is the real goal, let's apply all the regulations equally across the board. I can support mandatory financial disclosure for all gang-unit officers, if this attempt to ensure equal justice under the law is applied to all corruptible government employees equally.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•February 1, 2011

Edged Weapons and Gang Culture

Edged-weapon gang culture flourished most prominently in American jails and prisons. Every inmate is expected to be able to defend himself. Gang members take this to mean they must be armed with an edged weapon.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•February 1, 2011

Prison Shanks

The jail-made "shank" is fashioned from this material by sharpened by scraping the metal on concrete floors. A handle is fashioned from paper or cloth. Since the length of the shank is small, the handle is often held in the palm of the fist with the blade protruding from between the middle and ring fingers like a push dagger.

Inside the Badge •by Richard Valdemar•January 25, 2011

Do You Speak Swahili?

In prison, forms of black slang and African languages are used to code conversations to prevent non-black inmates and staff from understanding the communication. They also serve as a racial recruiting tool.

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