Civilian authorities help fight organised crime
A land registry or other civilian authority could detect signs of drug trafficking, arms trafficking, or human trafficking; they cannot uncover an entire network, of course. However, civilian authorities can play a crucial role in the fight against organised crime. They can provide the leads that the police need to take preventive measures and make progress with their investigations.
Organised crime is complex and has far-reaching effects on the state and society. The perpetrators act predominantly in secret, bringing their profits into the economic cycle via ostensibly legal transactions, using violence and corruption discreetly, and acquiring power and influence. Organised crime undermines the democratic structures of a society and causes considerable economic and social damage. In the process, it leaves behind traces that are sometimes obvious, and sometimes less visible. Traces that are often detected by civilian authorities long before the police.
Understanding and recognising organised crime
Is it the job of land registry or debt collection offices to suddenly become detectives? No, but they can spot unusual events in their daily work and thus make a contribution to the fight against organised crime. To do so, they need to be aware of certain things: how organised crime operates; how and where the signs can be found; where it causes harm, etc. If authorities are aware of these issues, this will help them pay closer attention when conducting their official business and may enable them to recognise and provide valuable information.
fedpol has the power to investigate suspicious transactions or activities reported by civilian authorities on the basis of the Federal Act on the Central Offices of the Federal Criminal Police* (FCPCOA). A person living on benefits who buys a house; a barber who has hardly any customers, but pays CHF 10,000 a month in rent to his cousin, who owns the building. Suspicions reported by civilian authorities can provide leads that help identify suspects or uncover connections. These leads can be a first step toward breaking up a criminal network, but they can also be used to develop effective preventive measures against organised crime activities.
Taking stock of the instruments to fight organised crime
In 2022, fedpol conducted a comprehensive survey of existing instruments and potential deficits in the fight against organised crime. It asked surveyed authorities with and without law enforcement powers about the subject. fedpol is working with experts to formulate recommendations on how the fight against organised crime in Switzerland can be improved. The recommendations concern legal instruments, but also the practical aspects of what authorities do to share information, make enquiries and prevent illegal conduct. fedpol’s goal for 2023 is to get together with partner organisations and examine these recommendations for their feasibility, and then apply them in the fight against organised crime.
Number of civilian agencies participating in the survey that may encounter organised crime activities in their daily work.
About 40% of civilian authorities said they had detected suspicious or somewhat suspicious activities.
The smallest lead can make all the difference
Migration authorities, land register offices, residents' registration offices, bankruptcy offices, commercial registers, tax authorities and many more are all top specialists in their own field. This gives them a unique perspective, allowing them to recognise unusual incidents and irregularities. It is precisely this type information that can provide the cantonal police forces or fedpol with crucial leads in an investigation; leads that may ultimately bring down an entire criminal network or be the starting point for preventive measures. Even the smallest lead can help prevent organised crime from gaining any further traction on politicians, businesses and society, locally or nationally.
*Federal Act on the Central Offices of the Federal Criminal Police and Joint Centres for Cooperation with Other States on Policing and Customs Matters