NCJ Number
106496
Date Published
1986
Length
404 pages
Annotation
This survey evaluates activities undertaken by Swedish police to combat economic crime (i.e., the activities of fraud squads), using judicial statistics, operational data, and results of interviews and questionnaire data obtained from fraud squads throughout the country.
Abstract
In general, the organization has achieved full regional coverage and personnel strength, with a squad in every county and a special National Police Board unit. There are 25 squads with approximately 300 personnel, including about 250 police officers, comprising about 1.5 percent of total national police resources. On the average, activities of police fraud squads are efficiently conducted, with a major focus on large-scale crime involving large sums of money. Inquiries are highly effective in terms of clearances, prosecutions, and convictions. Two working patterns of squads can be discerned: reactive, concentrating on investigative activities and cases referred by other authorities; and proactive, dealing with organized, professional crime as well. Squad activities have led to substantial increases in credit and tax fraud cases. While efficiency varies among squads, over 75 percent of all cases investigated result in a conviction -- a rate far higher than for other crimes. 20 references.