LAWYERS AND POLICE - AN UNEASY MARRIAGE IN THE NATIONAL CRIME AUTHORITY FIGHT AGAINST ORGANIZED-CRIME

A central feature of new law enforcement agencies, established specifically to combat organised crime in Australia, is their use of internal multi-disciplinary investigation teams. This strategy can be seen as mirroring the structure and modus operandi of the targeted criminal activity. One of the first law enforcement agencies in Australia to 'collectivise' legal and policing skills has been the National Crime Authority. However, aspects of the legal and police 'sub-cultures' are structurally and ideologically inconsistent creating the potential for significant intra-organisational conflict. This article explores the nature and significance of 'cultural clashes' between lawyers and police within the National Crime Authority, and describes a number of unique legal problems arising from the cross-jurisdictional deployment of police officers on secondment to the National Crime Authority. The article argues that in the context of organised crime, sub-cultural dimensions of law enforcement has been a neglected area within criminological research and policy making. The article argues that organisational sub-cultures have limited the capacity of law enforcement agencies to fulfil their functions and suggests a number of reforms.