Taxi Driver Online

Scottish police want anti-mafia laws


CONTROVERSIAL anti-mafia powers could be introduced in Scotland after government officials opened talks with their Italian counterparts.

Talks are currently ongoing to see how well the powers have worked in Italy, and how they comply with EU laws, The Scotsman understands.

Scottish police officers have visited Rome to see anti-mafia teams and believe the measures could be beneficial here.

Special certificates issued to legitimate firms are designed to drive organised crime out of public-sector contracts, which has been a growing concern for Scottish police in recent years.

In Scotland, this is likely to include taxis and private hire vehicles, security, elements of construction, and property management and development.

Anti-mafia certificates were discussed at the most recent meeting of the serious and organised crime taskforce in January.

Police said they were keen on the model in June, but admit it could prove controversial, especially as people under investigation, but not convicted of a crime, could find themselves blocked from contracts.

Detective Chief Inspector Ronnie Megaughin, head of interventions at the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), said: “One of the most important elements of this is understanding how anti-mafia legislation provides compliance for the Italian government in terms of the EU.

“Our understanding is that companies can’t be excluded on any basis that is less than evidence of conviction of offences.

“In Italy, it’s a different position. Any company that applies for public contracts over a certain threshold has to obtain an anti-mafia certificate.

“They are only issued where there’s no record of anti-mafia specialist measures against the company or people associated with the company. That includes confiscation of assets before conviction. So you can just be under investigation.”

In Italy, particularly the south of the country, the mafia’s involvement in legitimate businesses is a historic problem.While anti-mafia powers have not been a silver bullet, they are now seen as indispensable by crime-fighting organisations there.

DCI Megaughin said: “I personally visited the anti-mafia directive in Italy and spoke to people there. Their view is it is an absolute necessity.

“In Scotland, we’re very much alive to the threat organised crime poses to legitimate businesses and the community.”

However, there are concerns innocent people could lose their livelihoods because of police intelligence which later proves to be wrong.

John Scott, QC, a leading human rights lawyer, said: “This is the logical next step in the way we have been heading when it comes to serious and organised crime.

“In particular, it is consistent with the use of the civil courts to try and stop criminals from operating, but it is a human rights minefield for the police and Crown.

“We’re inching closer to the stage where it becomes more likely that entirely innocent individuals or companies get caught up in an investigation and then their business ceases to be able to trade, and a claim goes in against the police or Crown.”

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-2818187

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

The cops should NOT be engaging in political lobbying for powers.

They are supposed to be independent.

If they have a point to make, they should so directly to the Minister in government. End of.

There should be NO room in our society for a politicised police force.

No more powers are needed anyway. They already have all the powers they need to deal with crime and criminals.

Now, they should just get on and do their job, dealing with serious crime, rather than noising up motorists and, in particular, cab drivers, who are easy targets allowing them to rack up the stats.

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

The link doesn't work CC, "access forbidden"

Try this one, Pilger is a hell of a writer...

http://johnpilger.com/

Yeah - I've enjoyed reading his stuff.

btw your link don't work either

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Well, that makes me feel good. If we can't post his links on forums, and you did it first, you're just as fu*ked as me.

Oh and CC, I'm not kidding.

If you read Pilger, you are fecked.

Someone will have a file on you.

Welcome to the Matrix.................................

I think my response to the LC kinda put me there

But Pilger is very good - a little like these two;

http://www.medialens.org/index.php/aler ... -2013.html

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

As Italy is part of the EU, I would think their laws comply to EU law.

_________________
Grandad,

The link does work.

I guess the way to beat them is for everyone to put in their emails a full list of proscribed words.

Like AK47, Al-Qaeda, Bin Laden, bombs, murder, terrorism, struggle, September 11, Home office, targets, rfendition, Guantanamo Bay, Secret Service, MI5, Mi6 and every stupid fwecking oppressive government nutjob who panders to the US.

That should do it, eh. hang on ... there's a knock at the door



BTW before I answer it, the ozzies have a real problem with their leader. She's the one who attacked immigrants for not being "Australian" and if they didn't like it, to get out. She's a real cookie.

BTW2 Where is Toots?

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"