Law Enforcement: Information on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Gang Reporting, Evaluation, and Tracking System; Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives

• NCJ Number: 151572
• Author(s): H A Valentine
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: Azimuth Inc.; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The U.S. General Accounting Office, at the request of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, examined various aspects of the Gang Reporting, Evaluation, and Tracking System (GREAT) maintained by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Abstract

GREAT contains information on about 1,500 street gangs and over 105,000 gang members. GAO randomly selected and reviewed records on 181 members of three street gangs. While most of GREAT's safeguards and controls appeared to be adequate for the protection of civilian constitutional rights, GAO did suggest that the sheriff's department should begin to record requests for information submitted by off-line law enforcement agencies. GAO also suggested that GREAT initiate an independent audit to assure than adequate controls and safeguards are in place; such an audit would also enhance the system's integrity. FInally, GAO recommended that all GREAT records be revised to ensure that criteria, which are required by new software now in place, were used to establish gang membership. 6 tables and 2 appendixes