Organized Crime in Canada and the United States

outlaw motorcycle gangs formed

1940s - post world war 2

outlaw motorcycle gangs

• Loose knit

• “rowdy” 

• WW2 veterans 

• “Tough guy” image

outlaw motorcycle gangs

overtime

growth in sophistication and size

outlaw motorcycle gangs

Not all would be considered

organized crime

outlaw motorcycle gangs

US

800 gangs

outlaw motorcycle gangs

largest and most sophisticated

• Hell’s Angels

• Outlaws

• Pagans

• Banditos 

Hell’s Angels (international OMG)

• 63 chapters

• 13 countries

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Not only four groups

other Smaller, sophisticated groups

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

can be identified by number of ways (colours, membership jacket)

• Logo/emblem – sewn onto jacket

• Logo – centre back of jacket

• Top rocker – group name

• Bottom rocker – region

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Significance of patches:

• “1 percent”

• “13” 

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Motorcycle – source of

pride

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Requirement for admittance:

Ownership of own motorcycle

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

• Motorcycle: 

• has to be

• Made in the U.S.A. 

• ( and have a certain engine) 900 cc engine 

• Weapons

The Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

• Cressey (1969)

• Theft of a Nation

Made note of Necessary – three positions:

corrupter, corruptee, enforcer

the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

• Cressey (1969)

• Theft of a Nation

which of the positions is this

whose function it is to establish relationships with public officials and other influential persons whose assistance is necessary to achieve the organization’s goals.”

corrupter

the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

• Cressey (1969)

• Theft of a Nation

which of the positions is this

being corrupted

corruptee

the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

• Cressey (1969)

• Theft of a Nation

which of the positions is this

whose main duty it is to maintain organizational integrity by arranging for the maiming or killing of recalcitrant members.”

enforcer

The Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

• Not all “fit”, considered organized criminal group 

• but

• the Larger gangs would

The Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

how do small gangs get bigger

• “court” larger gangs

• Absorption

The Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

absorption of small gangs to big gangs

small groups get

clout, resources, rights

The Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – Organized Crime Link

absorption of small gangs to big gangs

large groups get

increased membership, expansion

OMG organizational structure

seen as well-established with

• President

• Vice-President 

• Various ranks

OMG organizational structure

Image of biker – evolving

• Three piece suit – business deals 

• President – corrupter

• Enforcer – “sergeant at arms”

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

national president

• Often founder

• Near national headquarters 

• Select group – bodyguards, enforcers

• Authority over decisions 

• Override decisions (that even been voted on)

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Territorial or Regional Representative

• Vice-president – region/district

• Handle problems of local chapter 

• Problems of entire club/gang – national level

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

National Secretary-Treasurer

• Handle’s the money 

• Drafts/changes bylaws

• Records meeting minutes

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

National Enforcer

• Answer’s to president

• Insures follow through of president’s orders 

• Potentially act as bodyguard to president 

• Special situations – punish rule violators, retrieve colours, remove tattoos

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Chapter President

• Final authority – chapter business/members

• Personality, leadership or vote

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Vice President

• Second in command to chapter president  

• Club affairs/dealing – when president not available 

• Hand picked 

• Heir to president

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Secretary Treasurer ***

• Writing skills

• Pay bills of chapter

• Accounting 

• Chapter minutes

• Collects dues/fines

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Sergeant at Arms

• Number one duty – maintain order:

• Meetings, functions

• Physically strongest member

• Loyal to president 

• Administration of violence (i.e. beating of club members) 

• Enforcer

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Road Captain

• also referred to as the “Logistician”/security chief 

• Mapping of routes – refueling, stop for food, maintenance

• Carry money of club – if someone needs to be bailed out

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Members  

• Rank and file

• Full members, paid dues 

• Sworn allegiance to bylaws, decisions 

• Limited membership – greater control

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Probationary or “Prospect” Members

• “club hopefuls” want to be included in the club 

• Probation: 1 month-1 year

• Prove worthiness

• Requirement to be included in the OMG–  some form of criminal offending 

• Nomination by current member 

• End of probation – vote (must be unanimous) 

• Initiation ceremony – given colours

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Road Captain also referred to as the

• “Logistician”**

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

Sergeant at Arms

number one duty

maintain order**

OMG Organizational Structure – Membership

which membership is this

• Have “Proven worth”

• Professionals – in the community

• Other criminals 

• Examples – lawyers, bail bonds people, motorcycle shop owners 

• Invited to Parties 

• Non-voting (they don’t vote on anything)

associates/honourary members**

Biker Constitution and Bylaws

accepted

• Conduct

• Standards 

• Procedures 

Biker Constitution and Bylaws

larger club

written document

Biker Constitution and Bylaws

different clubs have

• similar constitutions and bylaws to each other 

Biker Constitution and Bylaws

examples:

• All persons must be over 18 years of age for membership

• All prospective new members must be sponsored by a member 

• All prospective members must complete a probationary period

• Each new member will pay the national headquarters initiation fee

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs – Criminal Activity

Relationship with traditional organized crime

Hell’s Angels

 Gambino crime organization in New York

largest source of income for Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

drug trafficking

Major outlaw motorcycle gangs – operate in a variety of criminal enterprises

drug trafficking

• Contract murder

• Extortion 

• Vehicle theft

• Prostitution

• Takeover of businesses – money laundering 

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs – Criminal Activity

meth business

extensive/profitable

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs – Criminal Activity

• 1986 President’s Commission on Organized Crime:

• Motorcycle gangs - 40% of U.S. supply 

• Large gangs - $1 billion: drug dealing, murder, extortion, gunrunning prostitution and theft

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs – Criminal Activity

cocaine

• 50% Oregon 

• 35% North Carolina

Hell’s Angels originally called

Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington

Hell’s Angels

• (originally called) Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington 

• Late 1940’s 

• Ex-WW2 GI’s 

• 1950’s – following Korean War – membership growth

• Chapters in Canada, England, Switzerland, Australia 

among the largest biker gangs- 1000 members

hells angels

structure of hells angels

bureaucratically structured (chain of command)

1960s hells angels

• Drug trafficking – LSD and methamphetamine 

• Manufacturing

• Selling

The Outlaws

• Chicago – 1950’s 

• HQ – in Detroit 

• Chapters – Southeastern and southern U.S.

the outlaws mostly engage in

drug trafficking- cocaine and diazepam

also: prostitution, extortion, car theft, contract murder

the pagans

• 1950’s – Prince George County Maryland 

• came from Mergers- of smaller gangs 

• Mother Club:

• Founding members (13)

• Policy, business dealings 

• Several hundred members 

• 26 chapters 

• Methanphetamine manufacture – Northeastern U.S. 

• Cocaine, Marijuana, hashish, pharma drugs

• Many lower ranking members 

• Leaders – avoid detection 

• Members – can’t quit 
  

The Banditos

• Youngest 

• Fastest growing 

• Established 1966

• Texas

• Bureaucratic structure

• Four regional VP’s

• Revenue – variety of sources (drug trafficking significant one)

• Drugs: methamphetamine and cocaine 

Organized Crime in Canada:
Critical Analysis:

Death of a Don

Critique: The Media and Organized Crime

Three Journalistic Concerns:

• 1.) Superficiality 

• 2.) Sensationalism

• 3.) Creating reality

News Media and Organized Crime

Conflict:

• social reality portrayed vs. empirical data

• Simplistic picture 

• Misleading