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Policing Gangs and Organized Crime: Reflections on Conceptual Confusion and Its Consequences from Two Swedish Case Studies

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Gang Transitions and Transformations in an International Context

Abstract

Conceptual confusion is a recurring problem in society’s effort to control and eradicate gangs and organized crime. Government agencies, law enforcement, and other practitioners tend to apply the label “organized crime” to all forms of criminal organizing without any consideration of ecological and organizational differences. However, all forms of organized criminal collaborations exist on a continuum and vary in time and space. This conceptual confusion can have negative implications and consequences on criminal policy and crime prevention strategies. In this chapter, I discuss the results of two Swedish case studies and advocate for the value of identifying the type and level of organizing in the policing of gangs and organized crime. Finally, I discuss the need to distinguish between type of gangs and other forms of criminal organizations, and its relevance for social responses and policing.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The Council of Europe asked member States to apply the following criteria when defining crime or criminal groups as “organized crime.” See European Union (doc 6204/2/97 Enfopol 35 Rev 2). The definition is as following: Mandatory criteria: (1) Collaboration of three or more people. (2) For a prolonged or indefinite period of time. (3) Suspected or convicted of committing serious criminal offences. (4) With the objective of pursuing profit and/or power; Optional criteria: (5) Having a specific task or role for each participant. (6) Using some form of internal discipline and control. (7) Using violence or other means suitable for intimidation. (8) Exerting influence on politics, the media, public administration, law enforcement, the administration of justice or the economy by corruption or any other means. (9) Using commercial or business-like structures. (10) Engaged in money laundering. (11) Operating on an international level. In addition to the minimum characteristics (the “mandatory criteria” 1–4), at least two of the “optional criteria” need to be applicable to qualify a criminal group or crime as organized crime.

  2. 2.

    According to The United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) Article 2: (a) “Organized criminal group” shall mean a structured group of three or more persons, existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of committing one or more crimes or offences established in accordance with this Convention, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit; (b) “Serious crime” shall mean conduct constituting an offence punishable by maximum deprivation of liberty of at least 4 years or a more serious penalty; (c) “Structured group” shall mean a group that is not randomly formed for the immediate commission of an offence and that does not need to have formally defined roles for its members, continuity of its membership, or a developed structure.

  3. 3.

    Council framework decision 2008/841/JHA of 24 October 2008 on the fight against organized crime article 1: (1) “criminal organisation” means a structured association, established over a period of time, of more than two persons acting in concert with a view to committing offences which are punishable by deprivation of liberty or a detention order of a maximum of at least 4 years or a more serious penalty, to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit; (2) “structured association” means an association that is not randomly formed for the immediate commission of an offence, nor does it need to have formally defined roles for its members, continuity of its membership, or a developed structure.

  4. 4.

    See footnote 2.

  5. 5.

    Activity meaning for example stop and search, search of premises, house search, arrests, and fines.

  6. 6.

    Institute for Future Studies (2015). http://www.iffs.se/projekt/kriminella-natverk-och-kriminell-organisering/

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Amir Rostami

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  1. Amir Rostami
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Correspondence to Amir Rostami .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminology, Law, and Soc., University of California, Irvine, California, USA

    Cheryl L. Maxson

  2. Department of Criminology and Crim Jus, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Finn-Aage Esbensen

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Rostami, A. (2016). Policing Gangs and Organized Crime: Reflections on Conceptual Confusion and Its Consequences from Two Swedish Case Studies. In: Maxson, C., Esbensen, FA. (eds) Gang Transitions and Transformations in an International Context. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29602-9_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29602-9_15

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