The scourge of gangs is a clear and present danger to our internal national security. These gangs adversely impact the quality of life within our communities with violence, drugs, and associated criminal activities.

To ensure and enhance public safety, the need exists on a national level for a coordinated response to a threat of this magnitude. The consolidation and distribution of information, the standardization of training, and the creation of a close partnership among federal, state, and local law enforcement are among the elements critical to the accomplishment of this objective. The National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations was created to assist agencies with successfully combining these elements at all levels.

The NAGIA is a unique alliance of criminal justice professionals dedicated to the promotion and coordination of national anti-gang strategies. The NAGIA also advocates the standardization of anti-gang training, establishment of uniform gang definitions, assistance for communities with emerging gang problems, and input to policymakers and program administrators. The NAGIA is not meant to replace or duplicate the services provided by any other entity. Rather, it facilitates and supports regional gang investigators associations; the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS); as well as federal, state, and local anti-gang initiatives.