This press release is to formally introduce the Arizona Gang Investigators Association (AZGIA) to the state of Arizona.  It is our hope that by working together we can make Arizona better for everyone.

The AZGIA is a non-profit 501(c) (3) which was formed in 2007 by law enforcement professionals throughout the great state of Arizona. The Arizona Gang Investigators Association (AZGIA) is group of individuals from various law enforcement agencies around the State of Arizona who have joined together to combat the growing gang problem in Arizona.  AZGIA provides an opportunity for local, county, state, and federal law enforcement professionals to network with each other in order to exchange ideas and to develop effective gang crime reduction strategies.  In addition to networking, AZGIA provides affordable gang training and the opportunity to share current criminal street gang information with affected agencies across the state. We acknowledge that criminal street gangs are increasing in size and power as they now ignore traditional boundaries and geographical borders.  Therefore, law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona have joined together to combat all criminal street gangs and their members.  By pulling together resources and working to eliminate gang related crimes, AZGIA continually strives to improve the quality of life that each member of our communities has the right to enjoy.

The Association is organized to: promote training, education, and information- sharing between professional criminal enforcement and prosecution agencies and their employees which are involved in interdiction of and/or intervention in gang- related activities within the state of Arizona; to provide expert assistance to legislative bodies at the local, county and state level, local, county and state level prosecution agencies, and local and county courts in matters pertaining to gang activity; support public education programs to encourage gang prevention and deterrence of gang-related activity; and assist in the research and development of innovative investigative and interdiction techniques, philosophies and tactics to assist professional criminal justice enforcement and prosecution agencies and the communities these entities serve.

Our website can be located at www.arizonagia.com.  If we can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact any of the following AZGIA Members:

Central Arizona (Maricopa, Pinal and Gila Counties)

Andy Vasquez, 602.223-2574.  avasquez@azdps.gov

Southern Arizona (Pima, Graham, Cochise, Greenlee and Santa Cruz Counties)

Marcy Cox, 520 351-8956, mcox@azdps.gov

Northern Arizona (Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo and Apache Counties)

Doug Wheeler, 928 679-4101, dwheeler@azdps.gov

Colorado River Region (Mohave, La Paz, Yuma Counties)

Ray Eads, 928 763-2976 ext-230, reads@azdps.gov