According to criminal intelligence assessments, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG's) comprise the foremost organized criminal groups in the country, topping traditional Mafia and ethnic gangs. The Hells Angels, for example, began in 1948 in California and have grown to a network of 1,800 members in 22 countries. The FBI estimates that the Hells Angels take in $1 billion a year worldwide from drug trafficking alone. Unlike street gangs, OMG's are often sophisticated operations with significant ties to organized crime. With strict codes, bylaws, and even constitutions, OMG's demand an investigative and enforcement knowledge and skill set very different from those applied to street gang problems.

The class will explore the history and "roots" of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, examining the mind-set of its membership, criminal organizations and criminality. Intelligence briefings will provide up-to-date and regionally specific assessments on major crime activity, characteristics, practices and trends, plus tips and techniques for conducting intelligence collection and protracted covert investigations.

The origins, history, and structure of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Membership: How a biker becomes a member of an OMG A study of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang violence and turf wars Intelligence briefings on regional Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs The drug trade by Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Crime trends to include weapons trafficking, extortion, money laundering, insurance fraud and prostitution rings Contraband concealment practices Methods of gathering intelligence on Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs OMG's and the "internet" Officer safety issues related to Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs