Full title in original language:
The challenges facing specialist police cyber-crime units: an empirical analysis
Education level:
University University (18+ years)Topic / subtopic:
Cybercrime Cybercrime investigationTarget audience:
Students,
Teachers / Lecturers
Type of resource:
Publication / Article
Languages:
English
Region of relevance:
Global
Access:
restricted access: requiring payment
Individual authors:
Diarmaid Harkin, Chad Whelan, Lennon Chang
Publication year:
2018
Published by:
Police Practice and Research
Copyright holder:
© Police Practice and Research
Contact name and address:
Police Practice and Research
Contact website:
Key themes:
cyber, cybercrime, forensic, investigation, cyber-crime, specialist police, empirical, analysis
Links:
Short description:
The growing threat of cyber-crime poses significant challenges for police organisations. This paper presents original, empirical research on specialist cyber-crime units in Australia to report on the issues and problems faced by police staff at the frontline of cyber-policing. Using a mix of survey data and in-depth interviewing with supervisors, key investigators, and civilian staff from two specialist cyber-crime units, this paper outlines the priority challenges as identified by members of these units. While staff report generally positive levels of job satisfaction working in the field of cyber-crime, three major themes emerged: (a) the accelerating quantity of the workload as cyber-crime becomes a bigger social problem; (b) the resourcing of the units has not developed commensurate with demand and (c) the level of skills and training within units are insufficient to address the unique nature and growing complexities of policing cyber-crime. Suggestions by staff regarding how to improve this situation are considered.