Week

Title

Description of Week

1

Introduction, Definitions and Context of Organised Crime

This session lays out the structure of the Unit for the semester including coverage of assignments and expectations. It also presents as an opportunity to develop a common understanding of key concepts and issues.

2

Markets for Organised Crime

This session commences the study of the Unit in earnest with an analysis of the markets that exist for organised crime with an opportunity to look at both the demand and supply side aspects of OC, the profit motive and the acquisition of expertise to exploit potential markets by organised crime networks.

3

Key Drivers of Organised Crime

Organised crime is driven and facilitated by a diverse range of factors. In this session we will examine a range of social, cultural, psychological, physical, legal, economic and influencing factors that both encourage the existence of organised crime and in many instances drive the growth in activity.

4

Organised Crime Networks

In this session we examine the factors that impact on the very existence of organised crime groups. How do organised crime groups develop? What are their areas of common interest? How do the networks establish and develop? How are the organised and to what degree are they able to adapt to changing circumstances? These are just some of the critical issues that this session with examine.

5

Legitimisation of Organised Crime Operations

The very nature of organised crime has changed in recent decades. No longer just a backroom operation, organised crime now infiltrates and supports legitimate business operations. This session will examine what and how organised crime is developing a facade of legitimacy.

6

Relationship between Organised Crime and Terrorism

Terrorism requires more than an ideal to move from the philosophical to the physical. Funding is a critical component of terrorist operations and the synergy between the cash rich environment of organised crime and access to people with a common ideal of terrorist organisations presents significant challenges for response agencies.

7

Macro Impacts of Organised Crime

As organised crime groups grow and mature their impact changes. In the early stages the development of the OCG is most often based on physical harm and threat but as it matures into a more permanent structure the issues become more attuned to economic based threats. This in turn impacts on public resources that are allocated to address the issues and the community in terms of curtailing freedoms and liberty as tighter legislative controls are implemented. This session will look at the macro level impacts on states and nations of the existence of organised crime.

8

Micro Impacts of Organised Crime

The existence of organised crime influences community behaviour and attitude at the micro level. Social behaviours, personal security measures, privacy impacts and individual costs are examples of some of the impacts that are felt in a localised setting. This session will examine some of the consistent micro level impacts communities are confronted with both directly and indirectly as a result of the intrusion of organised crime.

9

Industry Responses to Organised Crime

This session will examine a range of law enforcement industry specific responses to organised crime. The very structure of the law enforcement industry has changed primarily as a result of the growing threat and reach of organised crime in communities. Police Forces have been joined by a variety of government and semi-government agencies with a charter of reducing and eradicating organised crime. This session with look at a number of them, including an analysis of how they work together.

10

Government Responses to Organised Crime

National and State governments have a critical responsibility in establishing the appropriate regulatory and policy frameworks to support the activities of law enforcement bodies in reducing and eradicating organised crime. This session will examine and analyse the activities of a range of governments in creating supportive environments. It will also look at the international responses to organised crime which is so important in meeting transnational threats.

11

Socio-economic Drivers of Organised Crime

The economic standing and resilience of a country plays a significant role in the capacity of it to resist the incursion of organised crime groups. Additionally the relative wealth, health and capacity of the population to prosper plays a significant role. The social organisation of the community also acts as a conduit for organised crime networks as individuals and groups with a common set of beliefs and values work cooperatively to establish organised crime operations and distribution networks. This session will look at some of the socio-economic drivers that exist in some states/nations.

12

Role of Technology in Organised Crime

Technology is seen as a major facilitator of many forms of organised crime. Fraud scams, pyramid schemes, money/asset laundering are just some of the activities that rely on technology to function effectively, but technology also impacts on existing markets and activities through coordinating organised crime operations and even through the manufacture of equipment that can be used in the business of organised crime. This session will look at some of these issues.

13

Emerging Organised Crime Markets

Organised Crime has among other things, the qualities of resilience and adaptability. Those who engage in these activities are constantly looking for new opportunities to exploit as well as means to remain relevant, despite the constant attention of law enforcement and government. In this final session we will look at a range of emerging organised crime markets and consider what and how authorities could address them before they become major issues.