Organised Crime and Law Enforcement Response

This assignment delves into the complex issue of organised crime within Australia. Students are tasked with examining current trends in organised crime activities, their societal impacts, and the strategies employed by Australian law enforcement agencies to combat these threats. The analysis relies on a range of authoritative sources, including reports from the Australian Crime Commission, government policy documents, and academic literature.

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Organized Crime
Parochial Interests State/Locally Based Police Forces Influence on
National Governments Crime Management Capability
Parochial interests groups may not have private individual interests but
they have a focus on the interest of small groups1. Such classified groups include
1 V.Federico, Mafias on the move: How organized crime conquers new territories, 2011, p, 53

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religious, cultural, political, business, or social groups. Illegal gang groups as part
of these groups alienate the wider community interests and contravenes global
standards of common good in the public agenda2. The role of the state in fighting
crime in upholding the people’s rights. Challenges arise when a state encourages
parochial interests through the local police force because organized crime
management traverses borders. It involves local and national groups. In
contemporary societies, illegal activities involving money are common and the
tendency of the police to conspire with such groups is common3. The fact that the
state puts so much trust in the police complements the ability of the security
agency to resolve such organized crimes. Therefore, law enforcement officers
should not make deals will organized gang groups.
In order to address organized crime issues, it is important to understand
the criminal group mechanisms4. Organized crime activities includes extortions,
mob cartels, underworld activities and the police may become party by offering
extra-legal security to the group leaders. In Australia, the state police has the
responsibility of serving the citizens in the local territory through private and
public services5. When a quasi-law enforcement agency engages in either
investigative or crime prevention activities, it brings in a new dimension.
Successful policing requires expert skills as well as resources. Organized
criminals, which have the money, may easily influence stakeholder in the crime
prevention units. The public police units have limitations stipulated within the
legal and police services. Drug barons may control key institutions including the
media. When the police become entrenched in such activities, they have a share in
the crime hence the territory becomes vulnerable to criminal penetration6.
Fraudulent dealings misrepresent the skilled police officers and
investigation officers. This lowers the professional standards of officers and it
destroys the people’s trust. Organizations responsible for dealing with crime
2 D. Vittorio and U. Maran, Organized crime, the quality of local institutions and FDI in Italy: A panel data
analysis, European Journal of Political Economy, 27 (1), 2011, 132-142
3 Ibid, p, 23
4 M. Lyman, p, 217
5 R. Don
6 P. Corretta, 512

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include partnerships between the police, military and police, military and
institutions7. The use of organized crimes for white-collar crimes such as
cybercrime or political crimes shows lack of goodwill on legal authorities in
fighting crime. Global or national criminal groups may engage the police for
mafia, terrorist, drug or other form of organized crime. Studies in criminology
point out Australians spend more than A$48 in criminal in fighting crime8.
Security is a core government service and the public finds it necessary to invest in
improved technology, informal and formal training. This is a community project
that does not involve isolated interests such as criminal or police groups.
Fraud, bribery, identity theft, robbery, are all types of organized criminal
activities. The changing global scene has seen the metamorphosis of such groups
into business activities with a profit agenda. The government has its own
departments with internal as well as external policies on dealing with criminal
activities. Commonwealth, federal, state and global policies govern Australia’s
security policies9. When parochial interests interfere with the functions of the
state organs, it distorts the logical essence of organized law enforcement. Defects
may arise during the presentation of evidence or when there are commercial
relationships leading to a conflict of interest. Criminal groups can access personal
data such as tax and driving license details from police records. This means that
the state organs need rigorous data systems that can cope with the changing trends
of criminal activities10.
Arguments about whether state functions should be in partnerships with
non-state organs and individuals continue to linger11 State commitment to crime is
nonnegotiable and should assure the public of safety. The 2013 Australian Act on
lawlessness addresses such gangs12 . According to this Act, anyone encouraging
lawlessness is liable for imprisonment and collaboration with law enforcement
agencies is paramount. Creating a conflict of interest by subverting the focus is
illegal. The people need to have confidence in the police service. Shaping a
7 Australian Government, Crime prevention,
8 Justice Report on Government Services, 64
9 National Conference of State Legislators, Data Security Laws
10 Act Government
11 Don, op cit, 2
12 Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act 2013 ( Queensland) s.2, ss ( 1)

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positive perception revolves around how the police treat the people as well as how
they handle their work professionally. Virtues such as honest in jurisdiction are
important13. Some of the organized crime groups involve young people who need
mentorship. Criminology is a complex industry that poses challenges such as
corruption for the police.
Revising punitive measures in state crime is one of the government
strategies against organized criminals. Key performance measures for the police
service in Australia include efficiency and effectiveness14. The national system in
charge of responding to organized crime needs a rigorous framework. This allows
it to deal with gun and non-gun related crime. The use of parochial interest groups
is a criminal activity that is on the increase. A comprehensive approach to this
covers a multilayered and multidisciplinary approach15. This approach is effective
in contemporary crime involving criminal groups and the police units.
Professionalism thrives when agencies collaborate and share information. This is
important for key agencies in the state, territorial, commonwealth, and
international systems16.
Dealing with organized criminals in cartel industries like drugs, human
trafficking and money laundering requires advanced investigative techniques.
These unearth any criminal ties to authorities. However, mock investigations may
compromise the strategies when exposed to criminal groups. Crime victimization
reports indicate the involvement of the police17. From the findings, increased lack
of disclosure creates fear in investigations. Therefore, the police needs to come
out as nonpartisan in order to nurture the people’s trust. The Sydney Law Review
identifies the use of criminal intelligence in dealing with outlaw gangs18. The use
of such strategies advocate for responsible government representation. This is in
accordance to the 2009 Criminal Organization Act in Queensland19. It campaigns
13 F. Alistair 1982-, Urban legends: gang identity in the post-industrial city/ Alistair Fraser, Oxford University Press
14 Justice Report, op, ct, 68
15 Australian Government, National Organized Crime Response Plan 2015-18
16 UNODC, UNODC organizes inter-regional training course on tackling abuse of money and value transfer services, 2017
17 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4530.0 Crime Victimization, Australia, 2015,-16
18 M. Greg, Outlaw motorcycle gangs and secret evidence: Reflections on the use of criminal intelligence in control of serious
organized crime in Australia, Sydney Law Review, 2014, 36 (3)
19 Criminal Organization Act 2009 ( QLD),

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against the compromised conduct in criminal professional setting such as the
judiciary and police force.
In upholding human rights, criminal law has the responsibility to serve the
public interest. According to the Australian Crime Commission, law enforcers
should be keen on enabler activities such as identity crime, and public sector
corruption20. These destroy the trust in law enforcement structures. The public as
the beneficiary of state services needs to be free from exploitation by
professionals in the services. Reforms in the law process target criminal justice
because of its connection to the human rights agenda21. The police as the coercive
force used by the state to uphold law needs to be an effective tool in dealing with
criminals. Failure to do so creates a conflict of interest in the public image.
Alteration of justice, incompetent investigations and the placement of uninformed
charges is destructive22.
The lucrative drug industry is a sphere of involvement by organized
criminals and the police may find themselves involved directly or indirectly23.
Smuggling networks include public servants in the law enforcement agencies.
Australia corporates with the global agencies in order to overcome its
challenges24. Criminal agencies are hard to detect and prosecuting them is harder.
The involvement of the state personnel or agencies worsens this. The
commonwealth framework helps to curb hierarchical groups including the
underworld players who pose a threat to the global security system. Criminal rate
records report the manifestation of crime across different levels of the legal
system. The growing rate of crime highlights the significant role of the
government in curbing crime. In this case, parochial interest impede the
government’s ability to curb crime25.
Efforts made towards strengthening the national governments ability to
fight crime is evidence of the need for professionalism. When dealing with
organized crime groups the government uses incentives to encourage
20 Australian Crime Commission, Organized crime in Australia 2015
21 H. Hobbs and Trotter, A, The great leap backward: criminal law reform with the hon Jarrod, Bleijie,
22 Australian Crime commission, Crime Profile: Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
23 Organised crime and drugs in sports, Australian Crime Commission, Canberra, 2013
24 The Australian Government, Commonwealth Organised Crime Strategic Framework Overview, Commonwealth of Australia
25 Ibid, p, 5

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investigations. It is evident that crime groups infiltrate different sectors of the
economy26. Improved investigative processes need intelligence from partners. A
shared vision is more inclusive and it reduces the government agencies’
involvement in crime. Evidence shows the need to involve relevant stakeholders
when faced with threats from organized crime. Different taskforces such as the
prosecuting unit depend on support from the investigative team. This calls for
improved capabilities that support the operational law enforces27. The 2002 Act
covers the Australian Crime Commission, which facilitates for intergovernmental
committees on crime issues. Therefore, the Australian parliament also support this
process by making improvements on the legal systems. It defines different types
of Acts for clear punitive measures on the offence by territories.
The continuous improvements in the police system indicates the need for
alternative approaches in dealing with organized crime. The Australian Border
Force has an organized network for tackling different criminal groups28. Among
them are units for mafia groups, drug dealers, and joint operations. These support
the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Having hitches in this network
affects a myriad of task forces. Success stories from arrests indicate that syndicate
groups have tight networks and multiagency operations. Intercepting some of
them may take longer when the state police are part of the deal. Relevant bodies
include federal police and informants. Therefore, the process of inquiry needs to
be free from injustices and abuse of power. Organised criminal groups provide
essential leads to justice and crime eradication29.
Understanding the threats posed by criminal groups is important. It unveils
the hidden truths of what hinders police operations and successful techniques to
employ. Examples from other countries indicate that organized crime poses a
threat to power because of their features30. Emerging trends point out that the
legal economy is a new breeding ground for criminal attacks. This is because of
the free market system, which encourages wealth creation, and cross border
26Ibid, p, 11
27 Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 Austl II
28 Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Organised Crime, 2017
29 L. Kontos, and Brotherton, D, Encyclopedia of Gangs, 2008, Greenwood Press, Westport
30 Europol Public Information, Threat Assessment: Italian Organised Crime, Hague, 2013

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business. The emergence of the internet comes with new threats in cybercrime.
Innovation and technology changes are necessary but they also present a
challenge because of the increase in illegal business activities inside and outside
the legal bodies31. Serious crime activities such as financial crimes operate within
advanced intelligence systems. Detecting and defining the illicit activities is not
easy. This includes terrorism and modern organized crimes.
Enhanced intelligence requires a deeper understanding of then existing as
well as the impending threats. The involvement of the police force in criminal
groups presents both scenarios. It hinders national and regional collaboration in
tackling crime32. New programs keep emerging to provide accountable policing
and control of then framework. This depend on the nature of an organization,
organizational culture and objectives. Poor systems prevent effective decisions on
state functions within the law enforcement agency. When individuals within the
state components have varied interests, it leads to disruptions in the government
role and agency structures. Responsive mechanisms leave a perception about the
policy framework.33 Organized crime has the ability to paralyze then police force,
especially when underground cartels are part of the mess.
In conclusion, the role of the state needs to be free from external
influence. The involvement of organized crime in the police system is a common
phenomenon. It leads to distortion of justice and an increase in crime. Organised
crime has a wide perspective that covers traditional criminal activities such as
violence and drugs. However, new dimensions like cybercrime and terrorism
present further challenges, which need collaborative systems. In order for the state
to succeed in this function, it needs to have a clear focus. The society looks up to
the police for law enforcement and not criminal activities. Misrepresenting the
agency encourages corruption and anarchy. A negative perception on law and
order makes a country insecure. Police misconduct is also destructive to the
profession and legal framework. Statistics reveal a great involvement by police
31 R. S, Book Review: Knowledge Management in Policing: Enforcing Law on Criminal Business Enterprises, Entrepreneurship and
organized Crime: Entrepreneurs in Illegal Business, The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2011,
32 J. Gilsinan, The numbers dilemma: The Chimera of modern police accountability systems, St. Louis U pub, L, Rev
33 W. Chan, the media representation of police image: Research notes on the Hong Kong Occupy Movement, 2015, Sage

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personnel in criminal activities. This is risky and uncalled for because it hiders an
effective response to Organised crime.
References
Books
Federico V, Mafias on the move: How organized crime conquers new territories. Princeton University
Press, 2011, p, 53

9
Lyman, M, Organized crime, Upper Saddle, N.J, Prince hall, 2000
Fraiser, A, Urban legends: gang identity I post-industrial city/Alistair Fraser, First edition, 2015,
Oxford University Press
Kontos, L and Bortherton, D, C, Encyclopedia of Gangs, Greenwoods Press, 2008
Chan, W, L, The Media Representations of Police Image: Research Notes on the Hong Kong Occupy
Movement, 2015, Sage,
Journals
Vittorio, D, Marani. U, Organized crime, the quality of local institutions and FDI in Italy:
A panel data analysis, European Journal of Political Economy, 27 (1), 2011, 132-142
Corretta, P, From rogue traders to organized crime groups: Doorstep Fraud of older
adults. British Journal of Criminology, 57 (3), 2017, p, 608-626
Greg, M, Outlaw motorcycle gangs and secret evidence: Reflections on the use of
criminal intelligence in the control of serious organized crime in Australia, Sydney Law Review,
Vol 36 (3), Available
http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=663101364771429;res=IELHSS (Accessed
5 November 2017)
Hobbs, H, and Trotter, A, The great leap backward: Criminal law reform with the Hon
Jarrod Bleijie, Available http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/SydLRev/2014/1.pdf (Accessed 5
November 2017)
Robert, S, Book Review: Knowledge Management in Policing: Enforcing Law on
Criminal Business enterprises, Entrepreneurship and Organised Crime: Entrepreneurs in Illegal
Business, The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2011, 12 (2), pp 150-
151
Legislation
Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act 2013 (QLD) s.2, ss (1) Available at
http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/qld/consol_act/vlada2013473/ (Accessed 5
November 2017)
Australian Government, Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), Available at
https://www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au/ (Accessed 5 November 2017)

1
0The Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 Aust II, Commonwealth Consolidated Acts
Available http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/cth/consol_act/acca2002289/
(Accessed 5 November 2017)
Act Government, Act Road Rules Handbook (Act Road Transport Authority), Available at
https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/home#/transport (Accessed 5 November 2017)
Criminal Organization Act 2009 (QLD) Aust II Available
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/TabledPapers/2016/5516T432.pdf
(Accessed 5 November 2017)
Reports
Justice Reports on Government, Report on government services 2016, Vol C: Justice,
2016, p, 63-69, Available at http://www.pc.gov.au/research/ongoing/report-on-government-
services/2016/justice/rogs-2016-volumec-justice.pdf (Accessed 5 November 2017).
Organised crime and drugs in sports, Australian Crime Commission, 2013, Trends in
Organised Crime, 2015, 18 (3), 261-276
Gilsinan, J, the Numbers Dilemma: the Chimera Modern Police Accountability System.
St. Louis, U, pub, L, Rev, 2012, Vol 32, pp, 93-487
Don, R. Public and private policing: Issues and options for collaboration within
Australia, 1998. Available at:
http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/conferences/partnership/robertso (accessed 5November
2017)
National Conference of State Legislators, Data Security Laws, 2017,
Availablehttp://www.ncsl.org/research/telecommunications-and-information-technology/data-
security-laws-state-government.aspx (Accessed 5 November 2017)
Australian Government, National Organized Crime Response Plan 2015-18,
Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 2015, pp, 3-36 Available
https://www.ag.gov.au/CrimeAndCorruption/OrganisedCrime/Documents/
NationalOrganisedCrimeResponsePlan2015-18.pdf ( Accessed 5 November 2017)

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1UNODC, UNOC organizes inter-regional training course on tackling abuse of money
and value transfer services, 2017, Available
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2017/July/unodc-organizes-inter-regional-training-
course-on-reducing-risks-from-the-abuse-of-money-and-value-transfer-services.html (Accessed
5 November 2017)
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4530.0-Crime victimization, Australia, 2015-16,
Available http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4530.0Explanatory
%20Notes12015-16?OpenDocument (Accessed 5 November 2017)
Australian Crime commission, Crime Profile: Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (July 2013) 2
Available https://www.acic.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1491/f/2016/06/oca2015.pdf (Accessed 5
November 2017)
Australian Crime Commission, Organised crime in Australia 2015, Available
https://www.acic.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1491/f/2016/06/oca2015.pdf (Accessed 5 November
2017)
Australian Government, Commonwealth Organised Crime Strategic Framework:
Overview Available https://www.ag.gov.au/CrimeAndCorruption/OrganisedCrime/Documents/
OrganisedCrimeStrategicFrameworkOverview.pdf (Accessed 5 November 2017)
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Organised Crime, 2017 Available
https://www.acic.gov.au/organised-crime (Accessed 5 November 2017)
The Europol Public Information, Threat Assessment Italian Organised Crime, (#
EDOC#667574 v8)2013,
file:///C:/Users/BAT/Downloads/italian_organised_crime_threat_assessment_0.pdf