NCJ Number
210328
Journal
International Journal of Police Science and Management Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2005 Pages: 98-109
Date Published
2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the way in which community policing initiatives have combated organized crime by redefining organized crime in sociological and political terms.
Abstract
Transnational crime represents one of the most salient threats to modern society. As organized crime has taken on an increasing threatening and transnational nature, community oriented policing programs have begun to investigate how to best undermine the efforts of organized crime groups, especially in isolated communities. In so doing, community policing programs have found the need to redefine organized crime in sociological and political terms in order to identify the opportunities for community policing initiatives to undermine organized crime. The current article analyzes the impact of community policing on organized crime through a historical power analysis of traditional organized crime groups. The conditions and societies that allowed the emergence of organized crime groups are described as the author shows how the initial institutional purpose of the organized group shifted to include acts of criminal victimization. The author contends that a victim-centered and problem-oriented approach to policing is critical to removing the barriers between police and isolated communities. The goal of breaking down these barriers in isolated communities is to bolster community capacity to resist organized crime. The “beat model” of community policing is presented and the author underscores the importance of community oriented policing approaches coordinating efforts with local organizations in the fight against organized crime. References