Is there a possibility that recent heavy media attention paid to street gangs in Virginia has caused us to lose sight of the long-standing presence of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs) operating in our jurisdictions?Unlike many of the street gangs we may see in our neighborhoods, OMGs are often sophisticated operations with deeply rooted ties to organized crime.With strict codes, bylaws, and even constitutions, OMGs demand an investigative and enforcement knowledge and skill set very different than those applied to our local street gang problems.
This OMG-specific training session will be presented by nationally-recognized expert Detective Steve Cook of the Independence, Missouri Police Department. Detective Cook has more than nine years of experience in infiltrating OMG organizations around the country resulting in successful prosecutions against outlaw bikers in Alaska, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, and Louisiana.His experience also extends to the investigation and surveillance of gangs in Minnesota, Iowa, California, Illinois, and New Hampshire.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and learn from a highly-decorated, incredibly-experienced leader in the field of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang investigations. Detective Cook will co-present this program with a former OMG member who shares valuable first-hand insight and experiences from his years in the gang, many of which were spent in Virginia. Among the topics Detective Cook will cover during his eight-hour presentation will be:
The origins, history, and structure of OMGs
How a biker becomes a member of an OMG
Patch and tattoo identification
A study of “the big four”: Hells Angels, Bandidos, Outlaws, and Pagans
OMG crime trends including the drug trade, money laundering, insurance fraud, extortion, and others
Weapon and narcotic concealment practices of outlaw bikers
A study of OMG violence and turf wars
Methods of gathering OMG intel and the OMG internet presence
Officer safety and conducting successful traffic stops on outlaw bikers
Please note that attendance is absolutely limited to sworn law-enforcement personnel only and agency identification must be shown at the door or admission will be denied.
Check the Training Calendar for course availability and location information.
