This is a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) elective Tattoos and Criminal Gangs #3283 online training course offered for peace officers Texas Peace Officers, Jailers, and Telecommunicators.

Tattoos are an excellent tool for peace and corrections officers to identify known or suspected gang members. This course includes examples of tattoos worn by predominantly homegrown and international gangs operating in the US, Canada, and along our porous southern border. Can you read tattoos? The ability to recognize and manage those they encounter with gang tattoos is just as critical.

In this course, we explore gang backgrounds, including the history of tattooing, the process of getting a tattoo, and tattoo mistakes. We then continue our journey by examining homegrown gangsters, their development, modes of operation, and tattoos. 

Our focus then turns to international gangs that heavily impact crime in the US and Canada and their tattoos. These include Hells Angles, the Mexican Mafia, Mexican Cartels, MS13, the Aryan Brotherhood, and the Russian Mafia, ending with the Chinese Triad Mafia. Within each criminal gang, we will explore its developmental background, methods of operations, and prominent tattoos.

Please note, the entire course, final exam(s), and course evaluation(s) must be completed in order to receive four (4) hours of course credit.

TCOLE Reporting

OSS Academy® typically reports 4 to 5 times each week [excluding U.S. Federal holidays]. We report your credit directly through TCLEDDS to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement [TCOLE]. You should have already provided your full and correct name, TCOLE PID number, and other important information when registering for your account. If not, once logged in, go to Edit Profile to update your information.

Should you have any questions, simply contact the OSS Academy® Training Coordinator by phone at 281-288-9190 (Ext. 205) or online at Contact OSS Academy®.    

OSS Academy® courses are recognized by more Peace Officer Standards and Training boards and correctional associations than any other online training provider.

Our courses are designed by Subject Matter Experts who are nationally recognized and licensed instructors. Many of our experts testify in law enforcement, corrections, and security related defense cases throughout the U.S.

Our curriculum meets or exceeds state course objective requirements.

For more information, visit OSS - Law Enforcement Advisors® or OSS Academy® online or simply contact the OSS Academy® Training Coordinator by phone at 281-288-9190 (Ext. 205) or online at Contact OSS Academy®.     

TCOLE Training, Proficiency Requirements, & Course Equivalents

For your convenience, OSS Academy® provides a TCOLE Course Equivalent Resourcewith imbedded hyperlinks.

See also, our entire TCOLE Courses Listing.

Should you have any questions, simply contact the OSS Academy® Training Coordinator by phone at 281-288-9190 (Ext. 205) or online at Contact OSS Academy®.