WELCOME TO VGIA

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Virginia Gang Investigators Association or VGIA. The VGIA was established in 1997 by a group of law enforcement professionals who recognized the importance of having a gang based information sharing network narrowly but intensely focused on responding to the proliferation of street gangs in Virginia. Like other states along the East Coast, a phenomenon also exists in Virginia where well-established criminal street gangs hailing from the West Coast, Mid West, and South West have recently and increasingly joined the population of our existing gangs, bringing the potential of further criminal networking to a new and more threatening level. VGIA will remain committed to bridging the lines of communication between all aspects of law enforcement and providing the most current and reliable information to our membership. In recognizing that any association is only as strong as its membership, VGIA pledges to put its membership first as well, with each and every member held at the highest regard. It is a strong belief of this association that we collectively have an equal voice as we unite in this endeavor to combat against the advancement of street gangs in our communities and the state of Virginia.
  
 
Respectfully,
Randy Crank
President, VGIA

OUR MISSION

In response to the ever increasing gang problem plaguing our nation and state, concerned criminal justice professionals from Virginia began what is today the Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
  
Chartered February 1997, The V.G.I.A. is a non -profit organization made up of law enforcement officers and other members of the criminal justice community. The V.G.I.A. promotes a closely coordinated relationship among gang investigators through extensive and rapid dissemination and exchange of information about gang-related, cult and extremist group activity. The V.G.I.A. supports new techniques from identification and apprehension of gang members and encourages legislation related to the reduction of gang related crimes. Additionally; the V.G.I.A solicits public support of its goals so the citizens might be educated about the prevention regarding organized criminal activities, tactics, philosophies, etc., to its members and any other law enforcement agency upon request.

OUR TRAINING

The VGIA offers training conferences, seminars and certifications from the basic understanding of street gangs for the new gang officer to advanced street gang intelligence and identification. Our training is only for Law Enforcement Officials,  Probation Officers, Parole Officers, Corrections Officers, and Criminal Justice Professionals.

Upcoming VGIA Training Events >>

 

MEMBERS LOGIN

The VGIA Members Only section is open to sworn law enforcement officials including police, probation/parole, corrections and prosecutors.
   
    
Not a VGIA Member yet! Join VGIA

Gang Specialist Certification Course

October 21, 2024

Virginia Beach, Virginia 

This course is designed to give a basic understanding of street gangs and to assist in qualifying you as an expert witness in Gang related Court testimony.

Upon successful completion of this eight hour lecture, a fifty(50) question true/false, multiple choice  test, you will receive a “ Gang Specialist Certification” certificate along with a uniform “Gang Specialist” tag (worn with name tag on uniform) or Gang Specialist patch

Gang Certification Registration Form

Founders Inn and Spa

Hotel Booking Link: Hotel Booking Link

25th Annual Gang Conference

October 22-25, 2024

Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Virginia Gang Investigators Association is proud to team up with the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Office of the Attorney General -Virginia, VA. Department of Juvenile Justice and Louisa County Sheriffs Office to sponsor the 25th annual Gang Conference .

The conference will be held at the Founders Inn & Spa by Hilton in Virginia Beach Virginia, 5641 Indian River Road , Virginia 23464 from October 22 25, 2024.

The Conference will cover a wide range of topics and instructors from across the United 

Conference Registration Form

 

Founders Inn and Spa

 

Hotel Booking Link: Hotel Booking Link

 

Interview & Interrogation

October 21, 2024

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Founders Inn-Hilton

Student will learn the difference between and
“interview” and an“interrogation”. Pros and cons will be discussed to the various tactics and the historical approach to lawenforcement custodial and non-custodial interviews.

Students will learn the importance of documentation and note taking of everything that takes place before, during and after an interview with a suspect.

Students will learn techniques for interviewing in the field whether in a police car, a person
’s home, or another location.We will discuss the pros and cons of in-field interviewing
versus an interview (interrogation) room.

Students will learn the difference between a soft interview room and secure (hard) interview room. Students will learn to set up an interview room prior to entry and learn to strategically place items
however is most beneficial for the case.

Students will learn the importance of rapport building and will get practical, hands-on experience with a partner on building a rapport.

Students will learn to find common
ground with anyone that they speak with and look for the hook words to bridge gaps with strangers.

Students will learn a variety of interviewing styles to include empathic interviewing,
“good cop/bad cop” and a touch on
other common techniques used or commonly taught and applying their effectiveness

Students will learn how to put together an effective strategy and game plan prior to entering the interview room. We will discuss the ideal number of interviewers and how gender and other societal factors can play a role in setting the interviewer up for success in the interview.

Students will be shown videos where interviewers are switched out with the same suspect to elicit additional information.

Students will hear from a gang investigator and learn how to effectively communicate with members of the criminal street
gangs in order to elicit the truth.

Registration Form

 

MS-13, Crips, Bloods, Homegrown Gangs

Lynchburg Virginia

April 24, 2024

0800-1700

Free to Law Enforcement

Location: Liberty Mountain Conference Center

Topics: MS-13, Gang Case Prep, Bloods, Crips and Homegrwn/Hybrid Gangs

Registration Form



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