Al Valdez PhD
College of Professional Studies - Department of Public Service
Dr. Alfonso Valdez brings a unique blend of law enforcement experience and academic expertise to the field of criminal justice and gang sociology. With over 30 years of distinguished service in law enforcement, including his tenure as a peace officer with the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Dr. Valdez has established himself as a nationally recognized authority on youth violence, gang behavior, and street gang investigations.
As a prolific scholar, Dr. Valdez has authored over 80 articles and more than 12 books on gang histories, customs, practices, and related issues. His major publications include Gangs: A Guide to Understanding Street Gangs (now in its 5th edition), Gangs Across America: Histories and Sociology, and Urban Street Terrorism: The Mexican Mafia and the Surenos (co-authored with Rene Enriquez). His work serves as essential reading for criminal justice professionals, educators, and social service providers working with at-risk populations. Dr. Valdez also authored the gang monograph used by the California Attorney General's office to educate the public and law enforcement.
His expertise extends to gang enforcement, prevention and intervention models, youth violence, gang prosecutions, and occult/ritual crimes. He provides consultation on legal civil and criminal cases and specializes in college-level program development, particularly regarding the sociology of street gangs.
Dr. Valdez's distinguished service has been recognized through numerous honors, including being named the 2001 District Attorney Investigator of the Year for the State of California and receiving the 2005 Academic Achievement Award from the California Asian Gang Investigators Association. Upon his retirement from law enforcement in 2006, he transitioned into academia full-time, where he continues to train the next generation of criminal justice professionals and contribute to the field through his teaching, research, and consultation work.
