NCJ Number
43188
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 44 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 24-26
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
TO BE EFFECTIVE IN DEVELOPING CASES IN THE COMPLEX FIELD OF ORGANIZED CRIME, POLICE MUST CAREFULLY PRESELECT THE INDIVIDUALS OR PROBLEMS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND COMMIT SUFFICIENT RESOURCES; PRELIMINARY STUDY IS ESSENTIAL.
Abstract
UNLESS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER CONDUCTS A FEASIBILITY STUDY BEFORE BEGINNING AN ORGANIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION, THE RESULTS WILL BE THE PURSUIT OF TANGENTIAL INFORMATION, A FAILURE TO FOCUS THE INVESTIGATION, DECLINING MORALE, AND WASTED MANHOURS. BEFORE STARTING, THE MANAGER SHOULD IDENTIFY IN WRITING THE PERSONS OR PROBLEMS TO BE INVESTIGATED, THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE, AND POSSIBLE PRODUCTIVE METHODS OF PURSUING AN INVESTIGATION. THEN A CAREFULLY SELECTED TEAM SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THIS PRELIMINARY STUDY. NONPOLICE MANPOWER, SUCH AS ACCOUNTANTS IN ALLEGED CASES OF CRIME CONTROL OF BUSINESS, SHOULD BE EMPLOYED. A PRELIMINARY REPORT SHOULD BE DUE IN 3-4 WEEKS. THIS REPORT SHOULD NOT BE AN INVESTIGATION BUT SHOULD POINT OUT POSSIBLE LEADS WHICH COULD BE FOLLOWED UP BY A FULL INVESTIGATION. SUCH A REPORT CAN GIVE THE DEPARTMENT THE INFORMATION IT NEEDS TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF A FULL INVESTIGATION AND THE MANPOWER AND RESOURCES WHICH WOULD BE NEEDED. A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THIS TYPE, AS DEVELOPED BY THE NEW JERSEY DIVISIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND STATE POLICE, IS THE BASIS FOR A DISCUSSION OF THESE PRINCIPLES.