Growth of Specialized Investigative Agencies: Police Powers in the Modern State

• NCJ Number: 131623
• Journal: Journal of the Institute of Criminology, Current Issues in Criminal Justice Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1990) Pages: complete issue
• Author(s): E Strong; L Robberds; A McHugh; K Zervos; M Bersten; M Finlay
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 128 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Proceedings of a seminar, 1989, Sydney, Australia

Annotation

These six papers examine the increase in the number of governmental agencies conducting criminal investigations in Australia, with particular focus on the National Crime Authority, the National Companies and Securities Commission, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Abstract

An overview argues that the continuing creation of new investigative agencies in response to perceived new problems has been a mistake, because these agencies operate in isolation from each other and from traditional police agencies. It concludes that these agencies are not needed and that traditional policing would be effective if given adequate resources and access to the additional powers provided these agencies. Other papers trace the history and current operation of other investigatory organizations and suggest ways to make them more effective. Footnotes