NCJ Number
81678
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
The Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Safety describes the evolution of organized crime prevention activities in the State and advises on structuring an organized crime unit at the local level with cooperation from State and Federal law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
An organized crime unit, established in 1967, used State police officers, intelligence experts, accountants, and prosecutors to collect and analyze information on organized crime activities in New England. The unit learned that combating organized crime requires communication, cooperation, and coordination of activities among law enforcement agencies at the State, local and Federal levels; participation of experts in the field; and technical assistance capability. The speaker recommends a task force approach to avoid fragmentation of the enforcement effort. A Massachusetts program consolidated the skills of State police personnel into regional investigative units that responded to the needs of particular geographic regions. Officers with expertise in the fields of narcotics and gambling worked with experienced generalists in investigations. Each crime prevention and control (CPAC) team allowed its investigators freedom to pursue their own areas of specialization unless a serious crime or series of crimes was committed, at which time the entire team was sent in. The CPAC concept has been well received and is being expanded. For the final workshop, see NCJ 81691.