Chapter 12: Organized Crime Control in Theory: Theoretical Overview, Concepts, Objectives, & Strategies

Chapter Outline Introduction & Overview Organized Crime Control Objectives Traditional Organized Crime Enforcement: The Prohibition/Enforcement Model Enforcement Operational Tactics & Techniques Alternative Organized Crime Control Tactics & Techniques Best Practices in Organized Crime Control

Learning Objectives After reading this chapter, you should have an understanding of: The broad objectives of OC control The difference between OC control & enforcement The traditional OC prohibition/enforcement model Traditional OC enforcement strategies Common enforcement (operational) tactics & techniques Alternative (non–criminal justice) OC control tactics & techniques & how they differ from traditional criminal justice approaches Best practices in OC control

Introduction When combating organized crime, criminal justice agencies target one (or more) of the following: Individual offenders or groups of offenders Criminal activities (specific commodities) The fruits of the criminal activity Consumers of illegal products/services Underground markets

Introduction

Organized Crime Control Objectives Ideally the goal is eradication, but this is not realistic Instead, the more realistic goal is one of containment However, even this has been difficult to achieve given the proliferation of OC groups & activities over the years At a tactical level, goals include: dismantling of criminal organizations and/or stopping specific criminal activities & interdicting illegal goods This has also proved difficult as groups continue & the black market is awash with goods & services Thus, more realistic goals include punishing (incarcerating) individual offenders & harm reduction

Introduction

Traditional Organized Crime Enforcement: The Prohibition/Enforcement Model Two fundamental elements: the prohibition (criminalization) of particular goods & services by the state that are deemed personally & socially harmful, & the enforcement of such laws by the state through the criminal justice system (cops, courts, & corrections).

Traditional Organized Crime Enforcement: The Prohibition/Enforcement Model Five Broad OC Enforcement Strategies detection & interdiction investigative function intelligence function prosecution, & punishment

Enforcement Operational Tactics And Techniques Witnesses, Informants, & Agents Witness Protection Programs Surveillance Physical surveillance Electronic surveillance (Part IV Investigation) Undercover Operation Sting vs. Reverse Sting Controlled Delivery Search & Seizure (Obtaining Physical Evidence) Proceeds of Crime/Money Laundering Enforcement Asset Forfeiture The Urban & Highway Patrol Function Multi-Agency Cooperation & Coordination

Alternative Organized Crime Control Tactics and Techniques Prevention (targeting hardening, criminality prevention, regulation of vulnerable industries, etc.) Government Commissions Tax Enforcement Currency & Suspicious Transaction Reporting Government Regulatory Agencies Civil Remedies The Armed Forces National & Foreign Security Intelligence Agencies Citizen-based Action Private Sector Initiatives

Best Practices in Organized Crime Control Inter-agency co-operation & coordination Strategic approach, including a strong intelligence function Complement criminal enforcement with regulatory, civil, & administrative sanctions Combining prevention & enforcement Impact Assessment Reducing harm inflicted by law enforcement