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The purpose of the Texas Violent Gang Task Force (TVGTF) is to form a strategic partnership between the state correctional agency - the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Texas Youth Commission (TYC),
and other state, federal, or local law enforcement agencies. The TVGTF will focus its efforts on the development of a statewide networking system that provides timely access
to gang activity information. Establishing communication between the different law enforcement agencies, combining independent agency
resources, and joining together in a cooperative effort to focus on gang membership and activity trends will better enable law enforcement and correctional agencies to
take a proactive stance towards tracking the growth and spread of gangs statewide. The intent of this task force is to form a working group of law enforcement and
correctional representatives from throughout the state to discuss specific cases, investigations, and other related gang activities.
The assistance and support of all agencies in encouraging or allowing individuals from their agency to apply for participation in this task force is appreciated. Those
individuals interested in becoming TVGTF participants will need to meet the following criteria:
- Must be sponsored by a current member of the TVGTF
- Preferably will have working knowledge of gangs and gang activities within
their current area of responsibilities
- Must be able to accumulate and disseminate gang information in a timely fashion
There are four levels of participation:
- Principle Member: Individuals who are primarily responsible for obtaining and disseminating gang information for their agency (i.e., the head of a gang unit)
- Alternate Member: Individuals who participate in the absence of the principal member
- General Member: Individuals who are involved in gang investigations, but
are not necessarily in a leadership position (i.e., gang unit member)
- Guest: Individuals who participate in the task force on a temporary
basis with the approval of an Advisory Board member, usually to present information to the task force or make a request of the Task Force.
The Advisory Board will review each application to ensure that prospective participants are in a position that necessitates their participation and can further
enhance the TVGTF's purpose of information sharing.
The TVGTF will continue to hold regularly scheduled regional meetings and participants will be notified of any future changes. We have hopes of improving the
effectiveness of the Task Force and look forward to meeting participants in the future. Please feel free to contact any Board Member with any ideas or suggestions
regarding the Task Force. We are and will remain committed to serving the state
of Texas law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
If you should have any questions or need an application / information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Advisory Board members. We look forward to
working with all agencies and members in this matter of mutual interest.
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