NCJ Number
41953
Date Published
1978
Length
179 pages
Annotation
TRADITIONALLY, LAW ENFORCEMENT REACTED TO INDIVIDUAL CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR THROUGH THE AGENCIES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, POLICE, PROSECUTORS, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
THE MOST SOPHISTICATED RESPONSE TO ORGANIZED CRIME TODAY, HOWEVER, INTEGRATES INVESTIGATORS AND PROSECUTORS INTO A PROACTIVE EFFORT. THIS PRESCRIPTIVE PACKAGE DESCRIBES AND COMMENTS ON THE GENERAL STATE OF THE ART IN THE OFFICES OF LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OR STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL, BASED ON A FIELD ANALYSIS OF 12 REPRESENTATIVE UNITS. IT ALSO IDENTIFIES THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK, DISCUSSES THEIR PROBLEMS, EVALUATES THEIR EFFORTS, AND PROPOSES STANDARDS FOR THEIR ESTABLISHMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND OPERATION. THE PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON SELECTED INVESTIGATIVE AND PROSECUTIVE UNITS IN KINGS COUNTY (BROOKLYN), NEW YORK, COLORADO, FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, MICHIGAN, NEW JERSEY, AND WISCONSIN. STUDY FINDINGS REVEALED THAT ATTORNEY-INVESTIGATOR RELATIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF PROACTIVE UNITS TARGETED ON ORGANIZED CRIME AND THAT BOTH ATTORNEYS AND INVESTIGATORS ASSIGNED TO SUCH UNITS ARE TOO FEW IN NUMBER, INSUFFICIENTLY EXPERIENCED, AND INADEQUATELY COMPENSATED. TRAINING AS A WHOLE WAS FOUND TO BE WOEFULLY INADEQUATE. IN ADDITION, THE STUDY POINTED TO A CLEAR AND PRESSING NEED TO THINK THROUGH AND RAISE THE QUALITY OF SPECIALIZED UNITS DESIGNED FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF ORGANIZED CRIME, INCLUDING THOROUGH INTERNAL AND OUTSIDE REVIEW AND EVALUATION. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A DISCUSSION OF THE USES OF THE PHRASE 'ORGANIZED CRIME,' WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE LEGAL MEANING; EXCERPTS FROM THE PROJECT PLAN OF THE COLORADO ORGANIZED CRIME STRIKE FORCE; A RACKETS BUREAU INVESTIGATIVE PLAN, AN EXAMINATION OF THE USE OF CIVIL ACTIONS AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME; AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM OF SENTENCING THE RACKETEER; AND A CHART OF LAW AND UNIT RESOURCES.