Membership Requirements in an Organized Crime Group - Assignment Example

Organized crime groups are considered to have taken birth in Italy. The notorious and the well-known group La Cosa Nostra (an organized crime group during the 19th century) was considered to be more powerful than the Italian government. There are numerous organized crime groups that still operate within the world. All these different crime groups have their own requirements which need to be fulfilled before any person is given its respective membership. The more common membership requirements are deemed to be more focused towards factors such as ethnicity, race and criminal association.

One of major membership requirement is that such groups tend to avoid any person who has prior affiliation with any law enforcing agency. Groups such as the “Hells Angels” ask for a valid driving license and a working motorcycle before they grant any membership.2 The basic advantage to members is that such membership requirements make sure that a proper procedure is followed through which the confidentiality, discipline and smooth operation of the organization is carried out and that inappropriate person are not hired within the group that may sabotage the group.

The disadvantage, on the other hand, is that such membership requirements may not be fulfilled by any potential member who may in the future turn out to be a great asset for the organized crime group.