Policing gangs and organized crime: Reflections on conceptual confusion and its consequences from two Swedish case studies

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.