NCJ Number
66721
Journal
POLIZEI Volume: 67 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1976) Pages: 383-390
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
CONFIDENTIALITY PROBLEMS AFFECTING RELEASE BY POLICE OF INFORMATION ABOUT FIRMS ENGAGED IN QUESTIONABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES IN WEST GERMANY AND SUGGESTIONS FOR WHITE-COLLAR CRIME PREVENTION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIMINAL POLICE IN WHITE-COLLAR CRIME PREVENTION COULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED THROUGH CONTINUOUS EXCHANGE OF UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION GLEANED BY OFFICERS THROUGH REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE BUSINESS WORLD AND THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME PREVENTION CENTERS. AS WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINALS DEVELOP EVER MORE SOPHISTICATED METHODS OF OPERATION, INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES MUST BE VERY SPECIFIC. THE NOTION OF CONFIDENTIALITY FOR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES MUST BE REINTERPRETED FOR ECONOMIC CRIMES BECAUSE CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS AFFECTING POLICE FAVOR WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINALS AND LEAVE INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS WITHOUT PROTECTION. PRESS PUBLICITY ABOUT PARTICULAR TECHNIQUES OF WHITE-COLLAR OFFENDERS IS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF HALTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES BEFORE THEY OCCUR, BUT NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF SUCH CASES IS RARE. THE CRIMINAL POLICE GENERALLY DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECOVER FUNDS STOLEN IN THIS MANNER, EVEN THOUGH SUCH EFFORTS MIGHT MAKE WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINALS LESS EAGER TO SUFFER ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT. CRIMINAL METHODS AND PRACTICAL PREVENTION ARE ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS EXAMPLES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVED PREVENTION INCLUDE CLARIFICATION OF CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS, ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL INFORMATION AND COUNSELING CENTERS FOR WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, COMMUNICATION AMONG WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS, AND NOTIFICATION OF THE PRESS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHEN ACTIVITIES OF LONG-PRACTICING OFFENDERS ARE DISCOVERED. RUNNING LISTS OF PRIVATE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AT COUNSELING CENTERS, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES AND INFORMATION MEETINGS INSTITUTED FOR COUNSELORS. PERTINENT LITERATURE IS NEEDED BY SPECIALIZED WHITE-COLLAR CRIME PREVENTION UNITS, AS WELL AS THE CULTIVATION OF CONTACTS BY COUNSELORS. REDUCED DAMAGES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FIRMS FROM WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES IS ONLY POSSIBLE BY EXPOSURE OF VERY SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. (NOTES ARE SUPPLIED FOR PART I, SEE NCJ 66720. --IN GERMAN.