Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

What are the three elements that make a gang?

1. Common activities, legal structure, and violent tendencies

2. Two or more people, a common symbol, and engagement in criminal activity

3. A leader, an initiation process, and a gang territory

4. A group of friends, shared interests, and legal enterprise

The correct answer is: Two or more people, a common symbol, and engagement in criminal activity

The definition of a gang typically includes specific characteristics that help to identify and categorize such groups. The correct answer highlights the essential components needed to establish a gang. Two or more people constitute the most basic element, as gangs are fundamentally groups rather than isolated individuals. This collective aspect communicates the idea that gangs are formed through social connections. A common symbol represents the group's identity and allows members to signify their affiliation and unity. Engagement in criminal activity is crucial, as it distinguishes gangs from merely social groups. This activity often encompasses a range of illegal actions that reinforce the group's cohesion and purpose, emphasizing the illicit nature of gangs. In contrast, the other options may incorporate some relevant terms but do not collectively capture the defining elements of a gang effectively. Legal structures, violent tendencies, leadership, initiation processes, and territory might be associated with gangs but do not comprehensively define them as a unit focused on criminal behavior and collective identity. Therefore, the emphasis on collective membership, symbols, and criminal engagement accurately reflects the core nature of what constitutes a gang.