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Michael D. Lyman, Ph.D., began his career as a special agent
and criminal investigator for the Kansas Bureau of investigation. He then moved
to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs as a senior agent and criminal investigator. While with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs he was assigned to the Street Enforcement
and Intelligence Division. During his 11 year law enforcement career Michael
has made over 600 felony arrest. For the last 18 years he has been professor
of Criminal Justice at the Columbia College of Missouri.
Michael D. Lyman, Ph.D., has authored seven books about the
enforcement function in criminal justice. His books include: The Police: An Introduction; Criminal Investigation: The Art and Science; Practical
Drug Enforcement; and, Organized Crime.
According to the book description
Michael Lyman’s Organized Crime, “Dispelling current myths regarding organized crime,
Lyman and Potter’s fourth edition reveals a truer picture of organized crime and criminal activity today.
Providing scholarly treatment and a social perspective, the authors explore the concept of organized crime, the historical
foundation for its evolution and development, and the current status of criminal groups in today’s society. Offering
timely and respected research, this edition includes a thorough examination of drug trafficking, new sections on emerging
organized crime groups, updated case studies, more coverage international groups, updated statistics, graphics and more! Presents
a broad view of organized crime that incorporates more than just ethnically- driven, pop-culture stereotypes. Incorporates
two parallel themes—organized crime consists of many different groups and corrupt individuals in public office, business
etc., contribute to the continuation of the problem. Uses thematic questions (What is organized crime? Is there really a Mafia?
Is terrorism organized crime? Do political machines still exist?) to promote higher-order thinking skills and a critical examination
of the topic. Synthesizes volumes of historical data and archives to present the most salient aspects of the organized crime
problem. References information and reports generated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Crime Commission,
the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics and well-known researchers in the field. Law
enforcement professionals and those interested in a scholarly treatment and a social perspective of organized crime.”
According to one reader of Michael
Lyman’s Organized Crime, “This book is a good introduction to a difficult topic. The
authors don't focus on just the traditional "Costra Nostra" topics that many authors fall prey too. The authors
carefully blend National and International Organized Crime (OC)Groups, Theories of OC and methods for controlling the spread
and growth of the groups. The book is written in a textbook fashion and the authors provide keywords at the end of each chapter
to assist the student in learning the main points of each chapter. Both the authors appear very knowledgeable in this subject
and they continue to add current information into their newer additions.”
Sean
Patrick Griffin, Ph.D. is a former Philadelphia Police Department police officer who is now associate professor in the Administration
of Justice at Penn State Abington. He has authored numerous articles on organized and white-collar crime and been an invited
panelist on national crime forums. He is the author of Black Brothers, Inc.: The Violent Rise and Fall of the Philadelphia Black Mafia.
According
to Sean Patrick Griffin’s publisher, “In June 2005, a prominent and politically influential Muslim cleric, Imam
Shamsud-din Ali, became the latest person convicted in a massive federal corruption probe in Philadelphia. As the revelations
emanating from the probe continue, a critically acclaimed author and leading authority on organized crime exposes for the
very first time the disturbing contemporary and historical ties between Ali, the city's notorious Black Mafia, and the sweeping
federal probe.
The
Black Mafia was one of the bloodiest crime syndicates in modern US history. From its roots in Philadelphia's ghettos in the
1960's, it grew from a rabble of street toughs to a disciplined, ruthless organization based on fear and intimidation with
links across the Eastern Seaboard. Known in its "legitimate" guise as Black Brothers, Inc., it held regular meetings, appointed
investigators, treasurers and enforcers, and controlled drug dealing, loan-sharking, numbers rackets, armed robbery and extortion.
Its
ferocious crews of gunmen grew around burly founder Sam Christian, the most feared man on Philly's streets. They developed
close ties with the influential Nation of Islam and soon were executing rivals, extorting bookies connected to the city's
powerful Cosa Nostra crew, and cowing local gangs. The Black Mafia was responsible for over forty killings, the most chilling
being the 1973 massacre of two adults and five children in Washington, D.C. Despite the arrests that followed, they continued
their rampage, exploiting their ties to prominent lawyers and civil rights leaders. A heavy round of convictions and sentences
in the 1980's shattered their strength — only for the crack-dealing Junior BlackMafia to emerge in their wake.
Researched
with scores of interviews and unique access to informant logs, witness statements, wiretaps and secret FBI files, Black Brothers,
Inc. is the most detailed account ever of an African-American organized crime mob, and a landmark investigation into the modern
urban underworld.”
Rufus
Schatzberg, Ph.D. is a retired New York Police Department detective first grade and the author of Black Organized Crime in Harlem: 1920-1930; and, co-author of African American Organized Crime and Handbook of Organized Crime in the United States.
According
to the description of Handbook of Organized
Crime in the United States, “This handbook discusses the definitions and historical background of organized
crime, theories and research, specific crime groups and their operations, and law enforcement strategies to counter organized
crime. Both the excellent introduction and 21 chapters provide background and analysis for each subject. Contributing authors
(mainly academics with some criminal justice professionals) take a balanced, well-researched approach. Particularly interesting
are looks at crime among various U.S. ethnic groups (Russian, African American, Italian, Chinese) and discussion of law enforcement
strategies. Included is an excellent bibliographical essay on the literature of this topic. This work is distinguished from
the numerous other recent books on organized crime by its reexamination of the issues and assumptions in research on this
topic and by the uniformly fine quality of all the pieces. While primarily a book for students and scholars, it will be of
interest to the educated public as well.”
Dr.
Randy Gonzales has enjoyed a 32 year career in the criminal justice field. He has been a police officer,
deputy sheriff, police instructor and chief of police of the New College of Florida Police Department. Dr. Randy Gonzalez
holds a Master’s in Criminology and Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Philosophy. A certified law enforcement
instructor, Randy Gonzalez is the author of The Basics of Organized Crime for Law Enforcement. According
to the description of The Basics of Organized Crime for Law Enforcement, “Basic introductory
training publication developed for criminal justice training and education. CD-ROM for classroom. Covers overview, history
and preliminary aspects of organized criminal activity.”
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