CORRUPTION OF POLICE OFFICERS AS A FACTOR OF ORGANIZED CRIME
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61837/mbuir040126097mKeywords:
corruption, police officers, organized crime, preventive measures, repressive measures, institutional integrityAbstract
Corruption among police officers represents one of the most significant factors enabling the development, functioning, and long-term maintenance of organized crime. In contemporary conditions, it does not represent solely individual deviant behavior but rather acquires the characteristics of a systemic phenomenon acting as a functional mechanism that connects criminal structures with state institutions. The subject of this paper is the analysis of the functional role of corruption within police structures in the context of organized crime, with the aim of indicating the ways in which corrupt police officers contribute to the formation, protection, and stabilization of organized criminal groups. The paper is based on theoretical, normative, institutional, and empirical analysis, with particular attention devoted to the criminal-law framework for the incrimination of corruption-related offenses, as well as to institutional mechanisms for controlling police work. In this context, preventive measures such as internal control, the strengthening of integrity and ethical standards, as well as repressive measures, including criminal investigations, prosecution, and sanctioning of corrupt officials, are considered. It is concluded that the effective suppression of organized crime is impossible without a systemic and consistent fight against corruption within the police.
References
Ignjatović, Đ. (2015). Criminology. Belgrade: Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, 35–58.
Škulić, M. (2018). Organized Crime – Concept, Forms, Criminal Offenses and Criminal Procedure. Belgrade: Official Gazette, 101–132.
Levi, M. (2012). Corruption and Organized Crime. In: Graycar, A. (ed.), Handbook of Global Criminology. New York: Springer, 83–102.
Stojanović, Z. (2020). Criminal Law – Special Part. Belgrade: Pravna knjiga, 195–215.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2004). United Nations Convention against Corruption. Vienna: United Nations. Accessed on 24 April 2026 at: https://www.un odc.org/documents/brussels/UN_Convention_ Against_Corruption.pdf
Đukić, S. (2015). Causes, Manifestations and Economic Consequences of Corruption in Serbia. Sremska Kamenica: Educons University, 31–32.
Gavrilović, Z., et al. (2013). Fight Against Corruption in Serbia – Alternative Report. Belgrade, 45.
Kesić, Z. (2017). Corruption in the Police – A Criminological Perspective. Belgrade: Criminal Police Academy, 12.
Nield, R. (2007). Anticorruption and Police Integrity. Washington: USAID Programme Brief, 3.
Holmes, L. (2012). Corruption and Police Work. In: Guidelines for Maintaining Police Integrity. Geneva, 23.
Kutnjak-Ivković, S. (2005). Fallen Blue Knights: Controlling Police Corruption. New York, 50.
Sherman, L. (1981). Becoming Bent: Moral Careers of Corrupt Policemen. In: Order under Law. Illinois, 103.
Prenzler, T. (2009). Police Corruption – Preventing Misco nduct and Maintaining Integrity. Boca Raton, 16.
Dempsey, S., & Forst, S. (2005). An Introduction to Policing. Belmont, 299.
Kutnjak-Ivković, S., & O’Connor, T. (2005). The Bosnian Police and Police Integrity: A Continuing Story. European Journal of Criminology, 4, 436.
Roebuck, J., & Barker, T. Police Corruption, 432.
Ćirić, J. (2005). Conflict of Interest and the Police. NBP – Journal of Criminalistics and Law, 1, 25–50.
Republic of Serbia. Criminal Code. “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 85/2005… 35/2019.
Republic of Serbia. Criminal Procedure Code. “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 72/2011… 62/2021.
Republic of Serbi. Law on Organization and Jurisdiction of State Authorities in Combating Organized Crime, Terrorism and Corruption. “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 94/2016… 10/2023.
Republic of Serbia. Law on Police. “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 6/2016… 87/2018.
Republic of Serbia. Law on the Prevention of Corruption. “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 35/2019… 14/2022.
Republic of Serbia. Law on Seizure of Proceeds from Crime. “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 32/2013… 35/2019.
Republic of Serbia. Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers. “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 128/2014.
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia (2024). National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024–2028. Accessed on 24 April 2026. file:///C:/ Users/Dragan/Downloads/01KJ83DQKNMH 921EE1Z8MRKT7E.pdf
Jovanović, P. (2019). The Impact of Corruption on Police Operations and Public Trust. Belgrade: Faculty of Law, 75–85.
Council of Europe (2017). GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round Report. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 4–7. Accessed on 24 April 2026 at: https:// www.refworld.org/reference/countryrep/cogre co/2017/119401
Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Serbia, Internal Control Sector (2026). Report No. 05.2 88-7560/26 of 23 April 2026.
