NCJ Number
51212
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
PERSONNEL PROBLEMS PECULIAR TO ORGANIZED CRIME UNITS, THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WHEN COOPERATING WITH OTHER AGENCIES, AND THE POLITICAL PRESSURES ON AN ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT ARE SUMMARIZED BRIEFLY.
Abstract
THIS SPEECH DELIVERED TO A SEMINAR ON COMBATTING ORGANIZED CRIME DRAWS HEAVILY ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE ORGANIZED CRIME DIVISION OF THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE DIVISION INCLUDE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AMONG REGULATORY BODIES AND THE OCCASIONAL RELUCTANCE OF AN AGENCY TO INVESTIGATE A BANK OR OTHER BUSINESS SUSPECTED OF HARBORING ORGANIZED CRIME. INVESTIGATORS WORKING ON CORRUPTION CASES OFTEN ARE WARNED THAT THEY WILL FACE OPPOSITION. AT THE OTHER EXTREME PRESSURE MAY BE EXERTED TO INVESTIGATE A PARTICULAR PERSON OR BUSINESS. INVESTIGATORS ARE ADVISED TO LEARN TO HANDLE SUCH PRESSURES IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER WHICH WILL WITHSTAND PUBLIC SCRUTINY. GETTING AND KEEPING TRAINED INVESTIGATORS IS CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. THE NEED FOR A CAREER PROGRAM IS POINTED OUT. THE PROBLEMS OF STAFFING A UNIT WITH A COMBINATION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL PERSONNEL AND PERSONNEL FROM OTHER AGENCIES ARE SURVEYED. PERSONNEL FROM OTHER AGENCIES OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES IN A CONFLICT SITUATION CONCERNING GOALS. ORGANIZED CRIME UNITS ARE URGED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER POLICE AND INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES AND ALSO TO COMMUNICATE WITH CITIZEN GROUPS. THE ENFORCEMENT OF GENERAL CRIMINAL LAWS BY SPECIFIC DIVISIONS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY MAY BE UNCOVERED. WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE LIQUOR COMMISSION IS ALSO IMPORTANT EVEN IF COOPERATION IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. THE SPEECH CONCLUDES WITH A STATEMENT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A HARD-HITTING ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. (GLR)