Organized

crime
Organized crime has been around for many years. Since the first definition was written organized
crime has grown into multiple different meanings. According to the text, Introduction to
Criminology organized crime refers to organizations that use violence, provide illegal services, and
have immunity of operation. (Hagan) Organized crime is also used throughout the world within
gangs and secret organizations. There are multiple types and definitions of organized crime.
The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (2011) defines an organized crime group as:
a group of three or more persons that was not randomly formed; existing for a period of time; acting
in concert with the aim of committing at least one crime punishable by at least four years'
incarceration; and in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit. An
organized crime group may also be referred to as a criminal enterprise. The FBI defines a criminal
enterprise as a group of individuals with an identified hierarchy, or comparable structure, engaged
in significant criminal activity. These organizations often engage in multiple criminal activities and
have extensive supporting networks. The terms Organized Crime and Criminal Enterprise are
similar and often used synonymously. However, various federal criminal statutes in the United
States of America specifically defines the elements of an enterprise that need to be proven in order
to convict individuals or groups of individuals under those statutes.
From historical point of view, the term ,,Organized Crime first came into regular use in
1919 among the members of the Chicago Crime Commission, referring not to criminal
organizations but more of the ,,Criminal Class. By the early 1930s organized crime referred to
,,gangsters and racketeers who were organized in gangs, syndicates, and criminal organizations,
led by master criminals who functioned as ,,powerful leaders. By the later 1940s the concept
of ,,Organized Crime had all but disappeared from public debate however it returned in 1950 when
a senate committee was established to investigate organized crime in interstate commerce. The
Committee concluded that numerous criminal groups throughout the country were tied together
by ,,a sinister criminal organization known as the Mafia.

In a mafia state, high government officials actually become integral players in, if not the
leaders of, criminal enterprises, and the defense and promotion of those enterprises' businesses
become official priorities. In mafia states such as Bulgaria, Guinea, Montenegro, Myanmar (also
called Burma), Ukraine and Venezuela, the national interest and the interests of organized crime are
now inextricably inter-twined. Because the policies and resource allocations of mafia states are
determined as much by the influence of criminals as by the forces that typically shape state
behavior, these states pose a serious challenge to policymakers and analysts of international politics.
Mafia states defy easy categorization, blurring the conceptual line between states and nonstate
actors. As a result, their behavior is difficult to predict, making them particularly dangerous actors
in the international environment.
The criminal group represents the case of an organized crime unit which can be
distinguished by the following characteristics:
Continuity. The group recognizes a specified purpose over a period of time and understands
the organization will continue operating beyond the lifetimes of the individual members. The
organization also realizes that leadership will change overtime and that the group members work
continues and that their personal interests are subordinate to those of the group.
Structure. The criminal group is structured as a collection of hierarchally arranged
interdependent offices devoted to the accomplishment of a specific function. This means that it can
either highly structured like the Cosa Nostra. Or extremely fluid such as the Columbian drug
cartels. In any case, it is distinguished by the ranks that are based on power and authority.
Membership. The core of the criminal group is based on a common trait such as ethnicity,
race, criminal background, or common interest. Close scrutiny is given a potential members of the
group prove their loyalty to the group. In most instances membership requires a lifetime
commitment. Rules of membership include secrecy, a willingness to commit any act for the group,
and intent to protect the group. In return the members receive benefits from the group, such as
protection, prestige, opportunities for economic gain. And all the important sense of belonging to
the group.
Criminality. Like any industry organized crime is directed by the pursuit of profit along with
well-defined lines. The criminal group relies on continuing criminal activity to generate income.
Some activities such as the supplying of illegal goods and services produce revenue directly, while
some other activities, which include murder, extortion and bribery, are used to ensure the groups
ability to make money and gain power. Accordingly, many criminal groups are also engaged in
legitimate business that allows skimming and laundering of money.
Violence. Comprising an integral part of the criminal group are violence and the threat of
violence. Both are employed as a means of control and the protection for members and non

members who are associated with protecting the interest of the organization. Members are expected
to commit, condone. Or authorize violent acts. When the interest of the organization is threatened,
murder is commonplace. Violence can be employed either to silence potential witnesses or to punish
people as a warning to others.
Power and Profit. Members of the criminal group are united in that they work for the
groups power which results into profit. Political power is achieved through the corruption of public
officials. The group is able to maintain its power through its association with criminal protectors.
Protectors include corrupt public officials, business persons, judges, attorneys, financial advisers,
and others, who individually or collectively protect the interest of the criminal through the abuses of
their status or by breaching their vested authority. As a result of the protectors effort, the criminal
group is both insulated from criminal and civil government actions. This component of organized
crime represents what the police and members of the criminal group as the edge, referring to the
advantage organized crime have over legitimate businesses. Corruption is the central tool of the
protectors, relies on a network of corrupt officials who protect the criminal group from the criminal
justice system. One example of the corrupt law enforcement officials who provide drug traffickers
with inside information on police investigations. Another is a corrupt attorney, who is able to
orchestrate the intimidation of the government witnesses so that they will change their story.
Protectors also include accountants, who aid in the criminal group by concealing their income in
financial institutions, gaming institutions, gaming establishments and other businesses.

Bibliography
1. http://bestbetteressays.blogspot.com/2011/12/organized-crime.html
2. Organized Crime,Corruption and Crime Prevention
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/ar/organized-crime/index.html
3. Mafia States.Organized Crime Takes Office by Moiss Nam
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137529/moises-naim/mafia-states
4. http://www.termpapermasters.com/term-paper-subtopics/term-papers-onOrganized-Crime-Essay-261.aspx
5. http://www.termpaperwarehouse.com/essay-on/Personal-Perception-Of-OrganizedCrime-Paper/93150