NCJ Number
43191
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 44 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 66-68
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE GIVES THE DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME. INADEQUACIES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
WHITE-COLLAR CRIME COSTS THE AMERICAN PUBLIC MORE THAN $40 BILLION YEARLY, AND SEEMS TO BE GROWING. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE AUTHOR DEFINES WHITE-COLLAR CRIME AS ILLEGAL ACTS CHARACTERIZED BY GUILE, DECEIT, AND CONCEALMENT AND NOT DEPENDENT ON THE APPLICATION OF PHYSICAL FORCE OR VIOLENCE. DIFFERENT CATEGORIES INCLUDE BRIBERY, EMBEZZLEMENT, AND INSURANCE, BANKRUPTCY, SECURITIES, AND CONSUMER FRUADS. DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES OF EACH ARE GIVEN, ALONG WITH AN ESTIMATED YEARLY LOSS FIGURE. DETERRENCE OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME IS SORELY LACKING. LOCAL POLICE FORCES ARE TOO SMALL AND ILL-TRAINED TO HANDLE SUCH CRIMES, AND FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES LACK CRIMINAL PROSECUTORIAL POWER. LESS THAN 20 PERCENT OF FBI RESOURCES ARE DEVOTED TO COMBATING WHITE-COLLAR CRIME. THE PRESENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS ILL-EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM.