The police could do more to proactively investigate organised crime: investigations that do not start from a specific offence, but are aimed at identifying criminal networks and activities that largely remain hidden from view. Although policy and legislation explicitly allow for this, it appears that this approach is still applied only to a limited extent in practice. This is linked to deeply ingrained routines and a predominantly reactive investigative logic, in which specific crimes and clear initial information take centre stage. This logic influences decision-making at an early stage of the investigative process. The manner in which information is gathered, interpreted and analysed proves to be crucial in this regard. This research shows that a proactive approach offers a solution when a specific offence and clear initial information are lacking. By not waiting for a crime to be committed but actively searching on the basis of intelligence, the police can also identify less visible crime. This requires different initial information, different choices and a different way of working. Uncertainty about finding evidence is not unique to this approach – it is just as much a part of traditional investigation. The thesis offers new insights into the complexity of decision-making processes in a less visible but crucial phase of police work and highlights opportunities to further strengthen proactive investigation.
Mirjam Krommendijk studied Public Administration at the University of Twente (specialising in Security Studies). She began her career as a researcher at the Institute for Social Safety Issues (IPIT) at the same university. Her research included studies on PolitieKennisNet, an integrated approach to repeat offenders, traffic enforcement and international legal assistance. She then moved to the Department of Criminal Law & Criminology at Radboud University to conduct research into the use of special investigative powers, with a specific focus on the legal basis. She carried out follow-up research and wrote a thesis on decision-making processes prior to and surrounding the start of criminal investigations into organised crime. She is currently working at the School of Police Leadership at the Police Academy, where she conducts research into leadership issues within the police force and contributes to the development and implementation of training programmes for police leaders.