National Youth Gang Survey Analysis

Gang Units

Respondents provided information regarding the operation of a gang unit in their agencies. Gang unit is defined in the survey as “a specialized unit with at least two officers primarily assigned to handle matters related to youth gangs.”

  • Approximately four in ten law enforcement agencies with a gang problem operated a gang unit in 2006, including 54 percent of larger cities.
  • With the exception of smaller cities, the percentage of agencies operating a gang unit increased yearly and was highest in 2006.
  • In 2006, 31 percent of law enforcement agencies with a gang problem that did not operate a gang unit reported that one or more officers were assigned to handle gang problems exclusively.

Gang Unit Bar Chart
[Text Description] | Gang Unit data (pdf)

Analysis for this section pertains only to law enforcement agencies reporting gang problems. Please see the Prevalence of Gang Problems section.

Table of Contents

Suggested citation: National Youth Gang Center (2009). National Youth Gang Survey Analysis. Retrieved [date] from http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Survey-Analysis