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Departments > Police > Investigations > Gang Unit
Gang Unit Hotline Number
708-499-7884
People can leave information pertaining to gangs at this number or if you would like to speak with a Gang Officer you can leave a number and we will call you back.
The Oak Lawn Police Department Gang Unit currently consists of 30 Officers who in addition to their normal Police duties are responsible for documenting, investigating and suppressing gang activity. Officers in the Gang Unit are assigned to the Patrol Division, Detective Division, Traffic Division, K-9 Unit and Tactical Unit. These Officers have volunteered to take on the additional duties of a Gang Officer.
Our members have completed a 40 hour Gang Specialist training class and are certified by the State of Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board as Gang Specialists. Several are members of the Midwest Gang Investigators Association which offers an annual seminar where Gang Officers from numerous States in the Midwest can meet and discuss current trends and gang activity. The opportunity for these Gang Officers to network is invaluable.
The Gang Unit also plays a pivotal role in the departments E.D.G.E. (EDucation for Gang Evasion) program, by supplying instructors for the program. The Gang Unit also supplies information to the program to help keep the curriculum current. The E.D.G.E. Program allows Gang Officers to use their special skills to teach our children about the dangers of gangs and gang membership. We believe the positive influence on our children is tremendous.
The Gang Unit also conducts in service training for the teachers in the Oak Lawn area, as well as for Law Enforcement and Fire personnel. Gang Unit Officers have even testified before a sub-committee of the Illinois government investigating the influences of gangs. We also do presentations upon request to various civic groups within the Village of Oak Lawn.
Although Oak Lawn does not have a serious gang problem, we know that we are not immune to gang activity. We believe that taking a pro-active approach in suppressing gang activity in our schools and community will make the Village of Oak Lawn safer for all citizens.
OLPDgangunit@oaklawn-il.gov
Please report any suspicious activity to the police.
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