The Hat Squad, a specialized unit of the Los Angeles Police Department, was formed in 1946 to combat organized crime in the city. Led by Sergeant William Burns, the squad used unconventional tactics, including midnight chit-chats and intimidation, to keep gangsters out of Los Angeles. The squad's use of mug books, which contained photographs and notes on known criminals, was a key part of their intelligence gathering efforts. As the city's organized crime landscape evolved, the Hat Squad's methods and structure changed, ultimately leading to its disbandment and the creation of a more structured Organized Crime and Intelligence Division.
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