A New Zealand approach to prioritising criminal groups

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a better method for prioritising organised criminal groups, utilising the existing literature on organised crime and risk assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study began with an existing prioritisation model, and then involved a review of relevant literature in the fields of organised crime and risk assessment tools. It was then followed by iterative development of a new tool, the Criminal Group Risk Assessment Model (CGRAM), including semi‐structured discussions with subject matter experts to ensure the validity of the tool.

Findings

There is little agreement on key concepts and definitions of organised crime, and perhaps because of this, a large number of prioritisation tools with widely differing methodologies and guiding philosophies. A better tool can be developed through a closer examination of the academic literature and careful consideration of all relevant factors, including control measures and ease of use.

Research limitations/implications

Research was limited by the unavailability of source material on other risk assessment tools, and in particular any documents explaining the conceptual underpinnings of those tools.

Practical implications

CGRAM provides an easy‐to‐use tool for the prioritisation of organised criminal groups and could be of substantial use to law enforcement agencies worldwide due to its universal approach.

Originality/value

While there are many prioritisation tools around, most of them are constrained by a limited conception of organised crime and a seeming lack of attention to the academic literature. CGRAM, while simple and easy to use, is founded on a sound research base and could provide a universal aid to law enforcement agencies.

Citation

Alach, Z. (2012), "A New Zealand approach to prioritising criminal groups", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 491-504. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639511211250767