ABOUT US

The Northwest Gang Investigators Association (NWGIA) was founded in 1994 by dedicated law enforcement gang investigators who recognized the growing need for quality training, collaboration, and intelligence-sharing throughout the Pacific Northwest. Originally comprised of members from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the organization expanded in 1996 to include Montana and has since grown into one of the region’s strongest providers of criminal enterprise and gang-related training for public safety professionals across North America.

For more than three decades, NWGIA has remained committed to its mission of serving those that serve by equipping law enforcement, corrections, prosecutors, probation professionals, analysts, educators, and community partners with the tools, training, and relationships necessary to protect our communities and confront evolving criminal threats.

NWGIA proudly stands as a professional organization dedicated to collaborative public safety solutions that help disrupt and dismantle the harmful impact criminal gang organizations have on our neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and families. Through regional partnerships and intelligence-sharing, we work together to enhance investigations, improve prevention and intervention strategies, and strengthen the safety of the communities we serve.

Beyond enforcement efforts, NWGIA recognizes that lasting community safety requires education, prevention, mentorship, and trust. Our organization actively supports collaboration with community organizations, faith-based leaders, educators, elected officials, and citizens to help educate our communities and reduce the victimization and recruitment of youth into gangs and criminal enterprises. We believe protecting our Northwest children and families requires all of us working together with compassion, accountability, and shared purpose.