Information sources include a review of background materials, research into relevant records, and site visits. Each case study begins with a brief history of the enforcement efforts and then examines organizational structure, resources, and decisionmaking processes. While each program offers its own unique lessons, the studies uncovered three which contribute greatly to the success or failure of any organized crime enforcement effort. First, money is crucial to a successful organized crime control unit, because it binds people together, gives them the capacity to undertake the mission, and reflects the depth of political commitment. Second, the lifeblood of an organized crime effort is the strength and vitality of its information base. Each agency spent considerable effort in planning for the gathering and analyzing of intelligence. It is unclear, however, the extent to which the sources, content, and value of intelligence constitute a major force in shaping an enforcement program. Finally, an organized crime control unit should be designed so that its structure reinforces its mission and staff skills; for example, when joint enforcement efforts are contemplated, the authority of all potential participants must be recognized by the program's organization.
Case Studies - Three Organized Crime Enforcement Efforts
NCJ Number
95262
Date Published
1983
Length
106 pages
Annotation
This report contains case studies of three statewide organized crime enforcement efforts: the Coordinated Law Enforcement Unit of British Columbia, Canada; the Department of Law and Public Safety of Arizona; and the New York State Organized Crime Task Force.
Abstract
Date Published: January 1, 1983