Computer Crime Enforcement in Texas: Funding Training, and Investigating Problems
Department
Sociology and Criminal Justice
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 2003
Abstract
As a new challenge to law enforcement, computer crime has recently received increasing attention from law enforcement and government officials. However, most writings about this issue are not empirical. This study fills this void by examining the attitudes of computer crime officers in Texas in two areas: general problems in dealing with computer crime, and the impact of demographic and institutional support factors on officers' attitudes. The results are: (1) more budgetary support and training are needed; (2) lack of computer skill/knowledge is the most problematic for computer investigations/forensics; (3) the idea of cooperating and sharing resources has already been utilized; and (4) officers understand the complexity of computer crime but are uncertain about its seriousness. The size of the city and whether the departments have a computer crime unit are the most significant factors that impact officers' attitudes toward the need for institutional support. This study suggests four elements (officers' attitude, institutional support, personnel, and network) that are important to successfully combat against computer crime; these elements need to be included in the development and implementation of both short-term and medium-term plans.
Journal Title
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology
Journal ISSN
0882-0783
Volume
18
Issue
1
First Page
24
Last Page
37
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1007/BF02802605