A
caporegime or
capodecina, usually shortened to just a
capo, is a term used in the
Mafia for a high-ranking
made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of
soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization. Caporegime is an Italian word, which is used to signify the head of a family in
Sicily, but has now come to mean a ranking member, similar to
captain or
senior sergeant in a military unit. In general, the term indicates the head of a branch of an
organized crime syndicate who commands a crew of soldiers and reports directly to the Don (Boss) or an Underboss or Streetboss.