Law Enforcement Bodies on the Acute of Counteraction with Ethnic Organized Crime: Ukrainian and International Experience

Abstract

The article considers the current state of law enforcement agencies combating crimes committed by organized groups and criminal organizations formed on ethnic basis. Statistical data on crimes detection which are committed by organized crime and criminal organizations formed on ethnic basis of the operational units of the National Police of Ukraine is analyzed. The negative reasons that influenced organizational basis for combating ethnic organized crime, which is a threat to the interests and rights of citizens, society and state are established. The author identifies specific directions that should contribute to the improvement of efficiency of counteraction to crimes committed by organized groups and criminal organizations formed on ethnic basis justifies the need to establish a common international data bank (automated information system «Ethnic crime»). Currently there appeared many issues concerning combating crimes that are committed by members of certain nationalities or ethnic groups based on their inherent criminal specialization. From numerous media reports, publications and our own observations we can conclude that the level of commission of crimes by representatives of ethnic minorities in our country remains high. These ethnic groups are based on ethnic and clan affinity, accepted traditions and customs, which are characterized by specialization for certain types of crimes. This is partly due to connection with criminal elements in the homeland or by the presence of traditional criminal activity in respect of a particular ethnic group, acquisitive crime, extortion, fraud, arms trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal migration and trafficking, etc.  Combating crimes committed by organized groups and criminal organizations formed on ethnic basis requires special attention and specific approaches, taking into account their national (ethnic) psychological characteristics, therefore this research takes importance both in theoretical and practical plan. Such favorable for organized ethnic crime situation involves a threat to its penetration in almost all areas of public relations, which significantly harm the public interest and the image of Ukraine on international level. As a general principle, the state of ethnic crime is characterized by a steady increase in the number of crimes committed, including grave and especially grave, activation of their professional activities in various regions of the country, the emergence of such crimes as drug trafficking, terrorism, human trafficking, etc., depending on the level of criminal migration and influence of transnational organized crime. Currently, Ukraine sets among the priorities the work of the National Police combating latent, organized, inter-regional and ethnic crimes. Of course, today a lot of attention is attracted by ethnic crime formation that determines the relevance of the chosen topic.