William D Moreto
Biographic Data
| ID | 4198547 |
|---|---|
| NAME | William D Moreto |
| GIVEN NAMES | William D |
| FAMILY NAME | Moreto |
| SIGNATURE | MORETO W D |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Central Florida |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4221-929X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 89 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Technology, legitimacy, and practice
Throughout history, police have used various technologies (i.e. automobile, two-way radio, CCTV, computer aided dispatch) in support of their societal mandate. This has transformed how officers carry out job-related functions and tasks. Technology is often adopted and used within the context of an agency’s organizational structure and orientation. As such, organizations shape the use of technologies. Drawing from administrative data (LEMAS and LE…
What Influences the Poaching of Wildlife? A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
The illegal hunting, taking, and killing of wild fauna and flora have received increased attention from criminologists in recent years. Much of this literature has centered on understanding the factors that motivate and incentivize individuals to engage in such acts. This study examined the existing literature that has qualitatively explored terrestrial poaching drivers and motivations to identify commonalities and differences. Additionally, oper…
Bad Apples
Recent high-profile cases have drawn attention to police deviance, compromising public trust in the police. This paper focuses on understanding police deviance as it pertains to both police misconduct, corruption, and criminal behavior. Previous qualitative studies often focus on specific aspects of police deviance (e.g. sexual misconduct and corruption), resulting in a body of related yet disconnected misconduct-related research. This paper aims…
Sexual Harassment in Retail Workplaces
Sexual harassment in retail workplaces is a complex, systemic issue affecting the well-being and productivity of employees. Prior literature has investigated sources and outcomes of workplace violence in retail settings. More research is needed to identify the factors that enable or mitigate sexual harassment in retail workplaces specifically. This research relies on peer-reviewed studies drawn from academic databases to synthesize findings from …
Guardians of the National Parks
Ranger/soldier
In recent years, several African states have increasingly militarized their wildlife authorities in response growing threats to protected areas (PAs) that come from a range of actors including hunters, poachers, and armed groups. As park rangers now face the overlapping challenges of conservation, law enforcement, and security in PAs, many are provided with paramilitary training, lethal weapons, and sophisticated equipment, often in conjunction w…
Exploring community satisfaction in park management
Positive relations between local people and protected and conserved area (PA) authorities are important for effective and equitable conservation.Such relations, however, are often strained.Therefore, in this study we explore the heterogeneity in satisfaction in park management amongst people living near to five PAs in Myanmar.Specifically, we examined how a diverse set of predictor variables relate to satisfaction in park management.Of all respon…
The teeth which are together are the ones which bite the most
While wildlife law enforcement has received considerable research interest in recent years, little attention has been given to interpersonal relationships between junior rangers and their supervisors in protected areas. Based on 89 semi-structured interviews with rangers in Uganda, the present study explores interpersonal relations between juniors and their supervisors, and the impact this dynamic has on sensemaking and organisational identificat…
Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rangers and the role of rangers as a planetary health service
Rangers play an indispensable role in maintaining balance between people and the natural world by protecting and managing protected and conserved areas. Despite occupying this key role, rangers are facing many challenges across organisational, occupational and personal fronts that hinder the delivery of their duties. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges and made the fight against the illegal killing of wildlife, illegal logging,…
Poverty, Pandemics, and Wildlife Crime
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global recession and mass unemployment. Through reductions in trade and international tourism, the pandemic has particularly affected rural economies of tropical low- and middle-income countries where biodiversity is concentrated. As this adversity is exacerbating poverty in these regions, it is important to examine the relationship between poverty and wildlife crime in order to better anticipate and respond to …
Nested complex crime
Wildlife trafficking is considered to be an example of a transnational organized crime by policymakers and enforcement agencies. Empirically, however, there is mixed support for this. Recently, there has been increased attention on the convergence of different illegal activities in an effort to share resources, personnel and transport routes. The present study attempts to qualitatively examine the intersection of wildlife trafficking and organize…
Applying Crime Pattern Theory and Risk Terrain Modeling to Examine Environmental Crime in Cambodia
The spatial-temporal analysis of crime has significantly evolved. One innovative technique recently developed is risk terrain modeling (RTM). RTM, however, has yet to be used for environmental crime. This research applies RTM and draws from crime pattern theory to examine illegal activities in two protected areas in Cambodia. Findings suggest that pathways, edges, areas with suitable targets, conservation posts, landcover, and prior incidents are…
The Convergence of Captured Fish and People
This study reports on the intersection between environment crime and labor trafficking. The present study assesses the convergence of labor trafficking and the illegal fishing industry through the theoretical lens of crime symbiosis and the CAPTURED framework. Implications for theory and policy are also outlined
Wildlife Crime
Corruption within the Illegal Wildlife Trade
This study focuses on the role of corruption in facilitating the illegal wildlife trade. This research attempts to contribute to the literature by disentangling the existence, influence and nested nature of corruption within the illegal wildlife trade based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in China, Morocco, Russia and Uganda. By utilizing Passas’ concepts of symbiotic and antithetical relationships as theoretical framework, we examine the pre…
Anything We Do, We Have to Include the Communities’
Wildlife crime and wildlife law enforcement have become important areas of study for criminologists. Little is known, however, of the experiences of law enforcement personnel, including their attitudes towards local villagers. Similar to previous policing research underscoring the value of understanding the perspectives of front-line law enforcement, this qualitative study examines the attitudes and experiences of law enforcement rangers towards …
Avoiding the tragedy of (un)common knowledge
The interdisciplinary nature of conservation science has generated much discussion. Previous scholars have highlighted the lack of mutual understanding between the natural and social sciences in terms of theoretical knowledge and methodological practices. Due to this, the potential for the 'tragedy of (un)common knowledge' may hinder interdisciplinary scholarship within conservation science. While others have provided valuable insight on the scho…
We Fight against Wrong Doers
Research examining wildlife law enforcement has steadily grown within recent years. Few studies, however, are based outside of the United States. Furthermore, studies that have examined wildlife law enforcement in other settings, including African countries, have primarily focused on quantifying the effectiveness of patrol activities, but little is known about actual patrol activities. Based on interviews and participant observation, this researc…
Such Misconducts Don’t Make a Good Ranger’
Wildlife crime has been recognized to be an important topic of study by criminologists in recent years. Prior research has highlighted the detrimental impact of corruption on conservation-related issues. Law enforcement rangers are often the primary protectors of protected areas and wildlife. Yet, like other law enforcement agents, they are not immune to misconduct and corruption. The present study offers an in-depth examination of rangers’ exper…
Poaching in Uganda
Much of prior empirical research examining poachers and poaching strategies have originated from interviews with poachers and wildlife law enforcement officers within North American settings. Few studies have empirically analyzed poacher categories and poaching strategies within an African context. Furthermore, most studies have overlooked important situational elements that influence poacher activities. Based on semi-structured interviews and in…
Poaching in Uganda
Much of prior empirical research examining poachers and poaching strategies have originated from interviews with poachers and wildlife law enforcement officers within North American settings. Few studies have empirically analyzed poacher categories and poaching strategies within an African context. Furthermore, most studies have overlooked important situational elements that influence poacher activities. Based on semi-structured interviews and in…
Such Misconducts Don’t Make a Good Ranger’
Wildlife crime has been recognized to be an important topic of study by criminologists in recent years. Prior research has highlighted the detrimental impact of corruption on conservation-related issues. Law enforcement rangers are often the primary protectors of protected areas and wildlife. Yet, like other law enforcement agents, they are not immune to misconduct and corruption. The present study offers an in-depth examination of rangers’ exper…
We Fight against Wrong Doers
Research examining wildlife law enforcement has steadily grown within recent years. Few studies, however, are based outside of the United States. Furthermore, studies that have examined wildlife law enforcement in other settings, including African countries, have primarily focused on quantifying the effectiveness of patrol activities, but little is known about actual patrol activities. Based on interviews and participant observation, this researc…
Anything We Do, We Have to Include the Communities’
Wildlife crime and wildlife law enforcement have become important areas of study for criminologists. Little is known, however, of the experiences of law enforcement personnel, including their attitudes towards local villagers. Similar to previous policing research underscoring the value of understanding the perspectives of front-line law enforcement, this qualitative study examines the attitudes and experiences of law enforcement rangers towards …
The Convergence of Captured Fish and People
This study reports on the intersection between environment crime and labor trafficking. The present study assesses the convergence of labor trafficking and the illegal fishing industry through the theoretical lens of crime symbiosis and the CAPTURED framework. Implications for theory and policy are also outlined
Avoiding the tragedy of (un)common knowledge
The interdisciplinary nature of conservation science has generated much discussion. Previous scholars have highlighted the lack of mutual understanding between the natural and social sciences in terms of theoretical knowledge and methodological practices. Due to this, the potential for the 'tragedy of (un)common knowledge' may hinder interdisciplinary scholarship within conservation science. While others have provided valuable insight on the scho…
Ranger/soldier
In recent years, several African states have increasingly militarized their wildlife authorities in response growing threats to protected areas (PAs) that come from a range of actors including hunters, poachers, and armed groups. As park rangers now face the overlapping challenges of conservation, law enforcement, and security in PAs, many are provided with paramilitary training, lethal weapons, and sophisticated equipment, often in conjunction w…
Nested complex crime
Wildlife trafficking is considered to be an example of a transnational organized crime by policymakers and enforcement agencies. Empirically, however, there is mixed support for this. Recently, there has been increased attention on the convergence of different illegal activities in an effort to share resources, personnel and transport routes. The present study attempts to qualitatively examine the intersection of wildlife trafficking and organize…
Corruption within the Illegal Wildlife Trade
This study focuses on the role of corruption in facilitating the illegal wildlife trade. This research attempts to contribute to the literature by disentangling the existence, influence and nested nature of corruption within the illegal wildlife trade based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in China, Morocco, Russia and Uganda. By utilizing Passas’ concepts of symbiotic and antithetical relationships as theoretical framework, we examine the pre…
Guardians of the National Parks
Wildlife Crime
Such Misconducts Don’t Make a Good Ranger’
Wildlife crime has been recognized to be an important topic of study by criminologists in recent years. Prior research has highlighted the detrimental impact of corruption on conservation-related issues. Law enforcement rangers are often the primary protectors of protected areas and wildlife. Yet, like other law enforcement agents, they are not immune to misconduct and corruption. The present study offers an in-depth examination of rangers’ exper…
Poaching in Uganda
Much of prior empirical research examining poachers and poaching strategies have originated from interviews with poachers and wildlife law enforcement officers within North American settings. Few studies have empirically analyzed poacher categories and poaching strategies within an African context. Furthermore, most studies have overlooked important situational elements that influence poacher activities. Based on semi-structured interviews and in…
Corruption within the Illegal Wildlife Trade
This study focuses on the role of corruption in facilitating the illegal wildlife trade. This research attempts to contribute to the literature by disentangling the existence, influence and nested nature of corruption within the illegal wildlife trade based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in China, Morocco, Russia and Uganda. By utilizing Passas’ concepts of symbiotic and antithetical relationships as theoretical framework, we examine the pre…
Anything We Do, We Have to Include the Communities’
Wildlife crime and wildlife law enforcement have become important areas of study for criminologists. Little is known, however, of the experiences of law enforcement personnel, including their attitudes towards local villagers. Similar to previous policing research underscoring the value of understanding the perspectives of front-line law enforcement, this qualitative study examines the attitudes and experiences of law enforcement rangers towards …
Avoiding the tragedy of (un)common knowledge
The interdisciplinary nature of conservation science has generated much discussion. Previous scholars have highlighted the lack of mutual understanding between the natural and social sciences in terms of theoretical knowledge and methodological practices. Due to this, the potential for the 'tragedy of (un)common knowledge' may hinder interdisciplinary scholarship within conservation science. While others have provided valuable insight on the scho…
We Fight against Wrong Doers
Research examining wildlife law enforcement has steadily grown within recent years. Few studies, however, are based outside of the United States. Furthermore, studies that have examined wildlife law enforcement in other settings, including African countries, have primarily focused on quantifying the effectiveness of patrol activities, but little is known about actual patrol activities. Based on interviews and participant observation, this researc…
Wildlife Crime
Applying Crime Pattern Theory and Risk Terrain Modeling to Examine Environmental Crime in Cambodia
The spatial-temporal analysis of crime has significantly evolved. One innovative technique recently developed is risk terrain modeling (RTM). RTM, however, has yet to be used for environmental crime. This research applies RTM and draws from crime pattern theory to examine illegal activities in two protected areas in Cambodia. Findings suggest that pathways, edges, areas with suitable targets, conservation posts, landcover, and prior incidents are…
The Convergence of Captured Fish and People
This study reports on the intersection between environment crime and labor trafficking. The present study assesses the convergence of labor trafficking and the illegal fishing industry through the theoretical lens of crime symbiosis and the CAPTURED framework. Implications for theory and policy are also outlined
Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rangers and the role of rangers as a planetary health service
Rangers play an indispensable role in maintaining balance between people and the natural world by protecting and managing protected and conserved areas. Despite occupying this key role, rangers are facing many challenges across organisational, occupational and personal fronts that hinder the delivery of their duties. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges and made the fight against the illegal killing of wildlife, illegal logging,…
Poverty, Pandemics, and Wildlife Crime
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global recession and mass unemployment. Through reductions in trade and international tourism, the pandemic has particularly affected rural economies of tropical low- and middle-income countries where biodiversity is concentrated. As this adversity is exacerbating poverty in these regions, it is important to examine the relationship between poverty and wildlife crime in order to better anticipate and respond to …
Nested complex crime
Wildlife trafficking is considered to be an example of a transnational organized crime by policymakers and enforcement agencies. Empirically, however, there is mixed support for this. Recently, there has been increased attention on the convergence of different illegal activities in an effort to share resources, personnel and transport routes. The present study attempts to qualitatively examine the intersection of wildlife trafficking and organize…
Exploring community satisfaction in park management
Positive relations between local people and protected and conserved area (PA) authorities are important for effective and equitable conservation.Such relations, however, are often strained.Therefore, in this study we explore the heterogeneity in satisfaction in park management amongst people living near to five PAs in Myanmar.Specifically, we examined how a diverse set of predictor variables relate to satisfaction in park management.Of all respon…
The teeth which are together are the ones which bite the most
While wildlife law enforcement has received considerable research interest in recent years, little attention has been given to interpersonal relationships between junior rangers and their supervisors in protected areas. Based on 89 semi-structured interviews with rangers in Uganda, the present study explores interpersonal relations between juniors and their supervisors, and the impact this dynamic has on sensemaking and organisational identificat…
Ranger/soldier
In recent years, several African states have increasingly militarized their wildlife authorities in response growing threats to protected areas (PAs) that come from a range of actors including hunters, poachers, and armed groups. As park rangers now face the overlapping challenges of conservation, law enforcement, and security in PAs, many are provided with paramilitary training, lethal weapons, and sophisticated equipment, often in conjunction w…
Guardians of the National Parks
Technology, legitimacy, and practice
Throughout history, police have used various technologies (i.e. automobile, two-way radio, CCTV, computer aided dispatch) in support of their societal mandate. This has transformed how officers carry out job-related functions and tasks. Technology is often adopted and used within the context of an agency’s organizational structure and orientation. As such, organizations shape the use of technologies. Drawing from administrative data (LEMAS and LE…
What Influences the Poaching of Wildlife? A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
The illegal hunting, taking, and killing of wild fauna and flora have received increased attention from criminologists in recent years. Much of this literature has centered on understanding the factors that motivate and incentivize individuals to engage in such acts. This study examined the existing literature that has qualitatively explored terrestrial poaching drivers and motivations to identify commonalities and differences. Additionally, oper…
Bad Apples
Recent high-profile cases have drawn attention to police deviance, compromising public trust in the police. This paper focuses on understanding police deviance as it pertains to both police misconduct, corruption, and criminal behavior. Previous qualitative studies often focus on specific aspects of police deviance (e.g. sexual misconduct and corruption), resulting in a body of related yet disconnected misconduct-related research. This paper aims…
Sexual Harassment in Retail Workplaces
Sexual harassment in retail workplaces is a complex, systemic issue affecting the well-being and productivity of employees. Prior literature has investigated sources and outcomes of workplace violence in retail settings. More research is needed to identify the factors that enable or mitigate sexual harassment in retail workplaces specifically. This research relies on peer-reviewed studies drawn from academic databases to synthesize findings from …
Sociology (14 works) · Law (12 works) · Political science (12 works) · Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses (12 works) · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (12 works) · Criminology (11 works) · Wildlife (8 works) · Law enforcement (7 works) · Crime Patterns and Interventions (6 works) · Enforcement (6 works)