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1 – 10 of over 13000In accordance with the literature on money laundering, policymakers and researchers often use a model which distinguishes three successive stages: placement, layering and…
Abstract
Purpose
In accordance with the literature on money laundering, policymakers and researchers often use a model which distinguishes three successive stages: placement, layering and integration. But how well does this model compare to actual investigations of money laundering in relation to large-scale drug trafficking?
Design/methodology/approach
The basis is formed by data collected in 2012 for that year’s crime pattern analysis (CPA) for money laundering and cocaine trafficking. In all, 46 structured interviews were conducted. These interviews mostly centred around money laundering, involving the proceeds of drugs crime. As a result of the interviews, the dossiers from 16 criminal investigations were also obtained for further analysis.
Findings
Comparing the three-phase model with Dutch investigations on drug trafficking, three observations can be made. First of all, cash plays a larger role than the theoretical model would suggest. Second, the proceeds of crime are often moved abroad, circumventing the legal financial system. And third, money laundering often occurs in much simpler forms than the theory would lead one to suspect.
Research limitations/implications
The sources mainly involve criminal investigations into organized drug trafficking. Investigations involving white collar crime and fraud will probably generate different outcomes. Another caveat is that the situation in other countries may differ from the picture that emerges from the Dutch data.
Practical implications
Combating money laundering is sometimes a job for specialists, but many forms (involving cash and moving money around) can easily be left to ordinary investigative officers with no financial background. Money laundering therefore needs to be demystified to broaden the opportunities for investigating analyzing and researching money laundering. Furthermore, it is not always practical to depend on Financial Intelligence Unit’s information to start an investigation or to evaluate anti-money laundering efficiency.
Originality/value
The literature on money laundering often centres around judicial system, legal issues and theoretical solutions. Empirical data is hard to come by. This article uses information from actual investigations to illustrate aspects of money laundering that can be overlooked.
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Purpose – The present study provides information about the pervasiveness of human trafficking in local communities and the challenges law enforcement face identifying and…
Abstract
Purpose – The present study provides information about the pervasiveness of human trafficking in local communities and the challenges law enforcement face identifying and responding to such problems. This chapter describes how often law enforcement agencies find cases of human trafficking and it examines the contextual and organizational factors affecting their ability to identify and respond to such cases.
Methodology – This analysis is based upon data from a national survey of local, state and county law enforcement agencies in the United States regarding human trafficking.
Findings – Law enforcement identification of trafficking cases is relatively rare, though agencies encounter victims more often than federal prosecution statistics suggest. Law enforcement is generally under-prepared to identify and respond to human trafficking, but when agencies train officers develop protocols and designate specialized personnel they are more likely to identify trafficking cases.
Implications – With the proper tools and support, local law enforcement can learn to more successfully identify and respond to human trafficking victimization.
Originality – This is the first national survey of American state and local police regarding their experiences in responding to the problems of human trafficking.
This article is the concluding part of a literature review on the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation. It examines some policy responses to the problem and…
Abstract
This article is the concluding part of a literature review on the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation. It examines some policy responses to the problem and the dilemmas that face practitioners. It concludes by referring to the multi‐agency partnership approach recommended by government and principles recommended to form part of the UN Convention.
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Christopher S. Koper, Daniel J. Woods and Bruce E. Kubu
The purpose of the study is to examine gun violence prevention practices among urban police in the USA, assessing their scope, effectiveness, limitations, and impacts.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to examine gun violence prevention practices among urban police in the USA, assessing their scope, effectiveness, limitations, and impacts.
Design/methodology/approach
A national survey was conducted with police agencies serving cities of 100,000 or more people.
Findings
Strategies used most frequently and rated as most effective include targeted efforts focussed on high‐risk places and groups, as well as multi‐agency problem‐solving efforts, particularly those involving federal authorities. However, most agencies make limited use of proactive strategies to reduce gun crime, and there are substantial gaps in the enforcement of many gun laws. Results also suggest that gun crime is lower in places where police engage in more intensive gun‐related enforcement and prevention efforts.
Research limitations/implications
The survey focussed only on large US cities. Implementation of the strategies could not be examined in detail, and assessments of the effectiveness of strategies reflect the views of practitioners. There is a need for more in‐depth research on gun‐related enforcement and prevention practices, their effectiveness, and the organizational and environmental factors that facilitate or hinder them.
Practical implications
The study highlights strategies that should be given priority consideration in policy decisions. The findings also suggest that police efforts to address gun crime can be enhanced considerably – and that doing so may produce demonstrable reductions in gun crime. Further examination of policy changes necessary to facilitate these efforts is warranted.
Originality/value
This study represents the first national survey of gun violence reduction efforts by police in the USA.
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Raluca Ioana Pascale, Calli Tzani, Maria Ioannou, Thomas James Vaughan Williams and Daniel Hunt
The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychological consequences of human trafficking and to reveal the importance of appropriate post-trafficking psychological…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychological consequences of human trafficking and to reveal the importance of appropriate post-trafficking psychological interventions. Specifically, this study provides a detailed analysis of human trafficking categories, as well as the characteristics of victims and traffickers’ motives. More recent data in the literature show that trauma-coerced attachments and complex post-traumatic stress disorder are also observed among trafficking survivors.
Design/methodology/approach
Each of the mentioned mental disorders is presented separately, and results are discussed throughout this study. Consequently, psychological interventions are proposed in accordance with the human trafficking category, survivors’ characteristics and needs and with the relevant personal risk factors determined among victims.
Findings
Sex trafficking can have a severe effect on a victim’s mental health, and mental health disorders are substantially higher in human trafficking victims compared to non-trafficked victims or general psychiatric population. Limitations, implications and future recommendations are discussed.
Originality/value
A limited number of past studies evaluated the mental health consequences and identified that survivors have a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders, depression disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Angeleke Elfes and Philip Birch
– The purpose of this paper is to examine operational policing practice with reference to reducing sex trafficking.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine operational policing practice with reference to reducing sex trafficking.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative study in which in-depth structured interviews were conducted with state police officers in one state of Australia.
Findings
The paper reveals that state police officers have a good understanding of sex trafficking and are involved in reactive policing methods in order to reduce this crime type. The data set yields a limitation in proactive policing methods for reducing sex trafficking, primarily due to human and financial resources and the composition of state and federal laws and policing practices in Australia. Those interviewed also noted how sex trafficking can disguise itself as legitimate sex work.
Research limitations/implications
The effectiveness in operational practice at the local, national and international level in reducing sex trafficking can be enhanced through a more co-ordinated response to the problem. Recognition of better communication strategies and partnership working can support a reduction in sex trafficking as well as allowing those who are trafficked the status of “victim”.
Practical implications
To ensure those who are trafficked for sexual servitude are viewed and treated as victims within the law. To review how state police forces in Australia are resourced in order to proactively address sex trafficking. To ensure state police forces can engage in more proactive policing initiatives in order to prevent sex trafficking. Reflect on examples of good practice between federal and state police forces in Australia to implement a co-ordinated approach for combatting sex trafficking.
Originality/value
This is one of just a few studies examining organised crime from the perspective of law enforcement personnel within Australia.
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The purpose of this study is to develop a broader understanding of police organizational culture in South Korea. More specifically, given its history and culture, the aim is to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a broader understanding of police organizational culture in South Korea. More specifically, given its history and culture, the aim is to examine various elements of organizational culture as perceived by line officers and supervisors.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for the present study came from a survey of police officers in South Korea who attended training courses at the Korea National Police University (KNPU), and at the Police Comprehensive Academy (PCA), from June through August of 2008. A total of 406 police officers completed the questionnaires representing an overall return rate of 62 percent.
Findings
The results suggest that, overall, police officers across rank and job assignment were dissatisfied, and at best ambivalent, on all dimensions of organizational culture. Lower ranked police officers, relative to other ranks, appear more dissatisfied with managerial support, open lines of communication, and organizational support. Officers who are part of the police administration (e.g. general affairs, public security, intelligence) are less disenchanted with management support, communication, and innovation than are patrol officers and criminal investigators. This study suggests that both rank and job assignment influences South Korean officers' perceptions of their organizational culture.
Research limitations/implications
This research does not attempt to compare officers' perceptions before and after the Grand Reform, as data are not available for study. In a limited way, it can be interpreted that after over a decade since the implementation of the Grand Reform more work is needed in improving officers' attitudes regarding their organizational climate.
Originality/value
Unlike studies done in the USA, which have de‐centralized police forces, this study offers a unique opportunity to examine the organizational culture of a centralized police force. Additionally, this paper examines the extent to which officers' perceptions of police culture are similar along rank, experience, and job assignment variables.
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Bonnie G. Buchanan and Craig Anthony Zabala
In 2012, the New York Department of Financial Services threatened to revoke Standard Chartered Bank’s U.S. license for alleged money laundering violations involving Iran. The…
Abstract
In 2012, the New York Department of Financial Services threatened to revoke Standard Chartered Bank’s U.S. license for alleged money laundering violations involving Iran. The bank’s settlement with US regulators and law enforcement cost the bank approximately $1.099 billion. In 2013, as a signal that no bank was too big to jail, the Holding Individuals Accountable and Deterring Money Laundering Act was introduced into the U.S. Congress. We focus on a clinical examination of the Standard Chartered money laundering case and examine the role of the US regulators and law enforcement in the settlement.
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