Models of Organized Crime Executive Summary

Models of Organized Crime Executive Summary

By: Andrea Post

CJA/325

Monday, December 11th,2017

        In this summary I will be discussing the differences and similarities between two models

of organized crime. The models we were asked to research were the bureaucratic model and the

patron-client organization. Both have a specific hierarchy system for their structure with one

boss seated at the top of the organization.

        A patron-client organization is a group of criminals who’s exchange of information is

established through a network of connections with political leaders and government officials.

The group also has access to a network of operatives for the purposes of benefitting the groups

clients politically and economically.

        The patron-client network is usually structured using a hierarchy system that consists of

one main leader, an underboss, and several captains. Under the captains are the lower ranking

members of the organization. All members of a patron-client organization are formally initiated.

The top and middle of the hierarchy are generally close, but the bottom level of the hierarchy is

more spread out. A spread of the lower ranking members provides a better opportunity to evade

detection and apprehension from law enforcement. This helps the organization to maintain

steady flow of production and operation.

        Bureaucratic organizations are formal. These organizations consist of rules, regulations,

procedures, and protocols that prevent lower ranking members from making decisions without

administrative approval. This is known as the red tape rule. Formal documentation has to be

processed by administration before any decision of significance can be made.

 In a patron-client organization, the lower ranking members are permitted to take it upon

themselves to obtain outside resources, contacts, and conduct business without any approval, so

long as the business conducted is beneficial to the organization. Members involved in a

bureaucratic organization blame financial issues and failures on the administration, whereas the

patron-client organization, all members are accountable and responsible for the organizations

failures and successes.

All criminal organizational models consist of similarities and differences, but the main

purpose is to the benefit of law enforcement, researchers, society, and professionals in studying

criminal behavior to provide a better understanding of how criminal organizations develop

domestically and internationally. Models are based on supporting research, statistics, facts, and

convincing arguments that have been gathered by professional psychologists, sociologists, and