NCJ Number
230771
Date Published
2010
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This chapter looks at the use of unlawful influence of authorities by organized crime groups to protect their criminal operations.
Abstract
This chapter is based on several research projects conducted in Sweden and examines the use of unlawful influence of authorities by organized crime groups to protect their criminal operations. The use of unlawful influence exists for several reasons and has been found to be a central feature of organized crime. One motive for using unlawful influence is to get an official to refrain from acting or to reveal secret information, while another motive would be to gain status within a criminal group. Unlawful influence consists of harassment, threats, violence, malicious damage, and corruption towards persons in authority, and is often used in certain types of situations. This makes situational crime prevention techniques a useful tool in fighting the use of unlawful influence. This chapter describes the different types of unlawful influence along with the situational crime prevention techniques that could be used to prevent these acts. A summary of preventative measures against unlawful influence from organized crime is presented at the end of the chapter. Table, notes, and references