Gang Hierarchy

4.d

Types of Leaders and Structure

Gang Leadership

The leadership in any gang is surely the most important position. A leader can be of different types, and here are a few of them:

•        Covert – these are the leaders who stay "behind the curtains" or don't expose themselves very often.

•        Overt – these leaders are the exact opposite of Covert leaders. They are more social and apparent.

•        Linear – these leaders share authority and responsibility on an equal basis.

•        Hierarchy – these leaders divide authority and responsibility on a hierarchical basis.

•        Positional – these leaders are designated. They can be one or more in numbers.

•        Functional – in this type of leadership, the role of a leader is changed according to the gang's tasks.

Gang Membership Structure

Gang membership involves different levels of commitment and participation depending upon a member’s rand. The number of members in a given gang may vary from a handful to hundreds. Gangs will typically recruit as many members as possible. The larger the gang, the stronger its influence and the mare daring it becomes when challenging rival gangs.

LEADERSHIP

Gang leaders typically are older members with long criminal records. They direct the gang’s criminal activity, including drug dealing. They give orders to younger members to commit acts of violence against rivals. Leaders typically rise to the top by committing ruthless acts of violence. They maintain their rank in prison and may continue to direct gang activities while they are behind bars.

HARD-CORE MEMBERS

Hard-core members are devoted to the gang and its criminal activities. The gang is their primary source of interest in life. They carry out the gang’s day-to-day criminal operations, including acts of violence. They demonstrate their loyalty with tattoos depicting their gang’s symbols. Hard-core members literally live for the gang.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Associate members are active gang members who readily identify themselves as a member of the gang but are not generally involved with the heavy violence associated with the hard-core members. All associate gang members have the potential of evolving into hard-core gang members.

PERIPHERAL (FRINGE) MEMBERS

A peripheral member is generally a younger person who lives in the gang’s neighborhood and hangs out on the fringe of the gang structure. He is not normally involved with the violent criminal activity. But he is ripe for recruitment to play a more active role as he gets older.

Note: Many who are associate or fringe members may be reluctant to declare their affiliation with a gang. They will say their friends are gang members, but they are not. Or they may say they only hang around with gang members. But rival gang members shooting from a speeding car do not distinguish between a hard-core member, an associate, a fringe member or even an innocent bystander.

PEE WEES OR SHORTIES

Pee Wees or shorties typically are under the age of 15. They associate with hard-core members and are often used as lookouts and drug runners. They are used to transport drugs because they will not receive penalties as severe as those given to older gang members.

WANNA BE’s

Wanna be’s, or imitators, are young people who are familiar with a specific gang’s symbols and imitate gang members through dress and action. They may not be associated with any particular gang, but these individuals can put themselves into potentially dangerous situations if their imitation of a particular gang is observed by rival gang members.

Caution: Many youths eventually become what they “wanna be.” This term describes a stage in the progression of an individual gang member and in no way should be used to minimize the problem.