Once the exclusive concern of poor neighborhoods in our large cities, youth street gangs have lately inspired an almost paralyzing fear in both suburban and rural middle-class communities everywhere.  Today, gangs are present in nearly every community across the nation.  Bringing fear, terror and economic instability, street gangs bestow a number of challenges for today’s law enforcement.

The Third Annual Kansas Gang Investigators Conference (KGIA) will provide participants with a variety of perspectives and techniques that will assist on suppression, investigation, identification and prevention of gang activity.  This conference will provide statewide gang updates, as well. 

This conference will offer a half day on Gangs 101 and School Threat Assessments.  This session is open to school administrators and other relevant personnel.  The remainder of the conference (February 4-6, 2008) is open to Law Enforcement, Corrections and Prosecution personnel and will include information on Gangs and the Internet, Hip Hop Music and Gang Culture, White Supremists and Extremism, MS-13 and Hispanic Gang Updates.  In addition, a motivational presentation from the Director of FORTE (Foundation for Officers Recovering from Traumatic Events).  Finally, a special guest will be present to discuss a specific undercover investigation.  For security reasons, this individual is unable to be identified at this time.  All participants will be required to present current credentials for admittance. 

The Third Annual Kansas Gang Investigators Association Conference is co-sponsored by:
The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Kansas,
The Regional Community Policing Training Institute at Wichita State University,
The Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center,
The Midwest Counterdrug Training Center,
The Olathe Police Department,
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, and
The Home Depot

• Registration:  On-site registration begins at 10:00 AM on Feb 3rd and then again at 7:00 AM on February 4th.  Conference will end at 5:00 PM on Feb. 6th.  Registrations must be received no later than January 26, 2009. 
• Lodging:  The Holiday Inn, 101 W. 151st Street in Olathe, Kansas, is offering room rates of $89 plus tax per night.  There is only a small block of rooms reserved for this event at this price so make reservations early.  Please contact the Holiday Inn directly at (913) 829-4000 for reservations.  Please mention the KGIA Conference when making your reservation. Reservations must be made by February 1, 2009.   
• Fees:  The conference fee this year is $25 for those attending the “Gangs 101 and School Threat Assessment” session only on February 3rd.   Conference fees are $130 for all participants attending the conference in its entirety.  Payment for this year’s conference can be made by Check or Money Order.  Please make checks payable to the Kansas Gang Investigators Association (KGIA, Federal Tax ID# 75-3081591) and submit with registration form.  You may also pay through PayPal thorough the KGIA website.
• Refunds/Cancellations:  It is recommended you send a qualified substitute if you cannot attend.  However, if you are not able to attend, please contact Heather Joyce at 316-978-5897 prior to January 26, 2008.  If you do not provide notice of cancellation prior to January 26, 2008, you and/or your agency will be held liable for the registration fees.  A full refund of registration fees will be made if notification is made prior to January 25, 2008.  The liability of the Second Annual Kansas Gang Investigators Association Conference is limited to the registration fee.  The Second Annual Kansas Gang Investigators Association Conference will not be responsible for any losses incurred by the registrants, including but not limited to airline cancellation charges and/or hotel deposits.
• Comprehensive handouts and resource materials will be provided.
• A Certificate of Attendance with 23.5 training hours will be issued at the completion of the conference.

February 3, 2009

February 4, 2009

February 5, 2009
Breakout Sessions—Choose from the three sessions listed; one in the morning (8:30 AM to 11:30 AM) and one in the afternoon (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM)—Lunch on Your Own

Breakout Session 1:  White Supremacist Groups and Extremism
Breakout Session 2:  MySpace and Gangs on the Internet
Breakout Session 3:  MS-13/Hispanic Gang Updates

February 6, 2009

For additional information regarding the content of this year’s conference, please contact KGIA President, Ruben Salamanca, Topeka Police Department, 785-368-9025 or 785-217-5580 or e-mail RSalamanca@topeka.org