Criminal Investigation Program

Michigan Office of the
Auditor General
Thomas H. McTavish, C.P.A.
Auditor General

EXECUTIVE DIGEST #5514298
Criminal Investigation Program

INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in November 1998, contains the results of our performance audit of the Criminal Investigation Program (CIP), Michigan Department of State Police (MSP).

AUDIT PURPOSE
This performance audit was conducted as part of the constitutional responsibility of the Office of the Auditor General. Performance audits are conducted on a priority basis related to the potential for improving effectiveness and efficiency.

BACKGROUND
CIP activities are carried out through the Investigative Services Bureau. CIP subscribes to the MSP mission to provide leadership, coordination, and delivery of law enforcement and support services in order to preserve, protect, and defend people and property, while respecting the rights and dignity of all persons. Our audit focused on three divisions within the Bureau: Field Detective Division (FDD), East Lansing Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and Southeastern Criminal Investigation Division (SECID).

FDD is comprised of detectives assigned to district and post operations throughout the State. These officers respond to requests for service from citizens within their respective post areas and provide support to local law enforcement agencies, including correctional facilities, in handling complex criminal investigations. Under FDD is the Investigative Resources Section (IRS). The primary goal of IRS is to provide relevant criminal intelligence, technical assistance, and training for MSP and other law enforcement investigators.

CID provides investigative services to local, county, State, and federal law enforcement agencies in 69 Michigan counties. SECID provides investigative services for 204 local, county, State, and federal law enforcement agencies in 14 counties in southeastern Michigan. Both CID and SECID provide investigative services relating to several areas, including illegal drug trafficking, diversion of controlled substances into the illegal market, homicide, organized crime, fugitive apprehension, public corruption, automobile theft and carjacking, and tax fraud.

MSP also helps local agencies by participating in multijurisdictional task forces throughout the State.

CIP was appropriated $38.1 million for fiscal year 1996-97 for approximately 400 full-time equated positions.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of CIP.

Conclusion: Because there are a number of different factors and variables that influence crime and because meaningful measures have not been developed, we could not determine the effectiveness of specific activities operated and supported by MSP. The Uniform Crime Report shows that index and non-index crimes have continuously declined over the last few years in Michigan and activities and operations of CIP are similar to those conducted in other states. Also, crime statistics show that Michigan's estimated index crimes per 100,000 population is essentially equal to the national rate. However, Michigan's crime rate ranks 2nd highest within a group of 7 comparable states. We concluded that the CIP was generally efficient. Our assessment disclosed five reportable conditions related to program effectiveness (Finding 1), annual inspections (Finding 2), information technology (Finding 3), task force financial reporting and audits (Finding 4), and multijurisdictional task force organization (Finding 5).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: Annual reports indicate that CIP initiated 8,691 cases that resulted in 5,938 arrests with an estimated value of $83.6 million in seized assets in calendar year 1996.

Also, MSP, through its Statewide Information System (STATIS), will be the first agency on the National Drug Pointer Index (NDPIX) system. NDPIX is a nationwide system that allows for entry of drug-related investigations. STATIS is an on-line criminal intelligence reporting system designed to permit all police officers throughout Michigan to immediately share criminal intelligence information through a common data base. STATIS has also been selected to be the primary data base for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). HIDTA is a federally funded cooperative that targets high drug areas by combining the forces of many federal agencies with MSP and local departments. HIDTA will have its own "intelligence center" whereas MSP's STATIS will be accessed. At the time of our audit, STATIS had 175 police agencies on-line and included investigative records related to over 60,000 persons and 2,300 businesses and organizations. STATIS received federal certification in July 1996.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records for the Criminal Investigation Program. Our audit was conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and, accordingly, included such tests of the records and such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

To accomplish our objective, we examined MSP records related to CIP activities for the period October 1, 1995 through May 31, 1998. We interviewed MSP bureau, division, and unit/team, as well as local law enforcement, personnel. We analyzed the MSP and CIP mission statements and applicable statutes, policies, and procedures.

We examined CIP records related to the overall allocation of resources, organization of units and multijurisdictional task forces, performance of annual and semi-annual inspections, completion of audits, and utilization of information technology. We visited 5 unit/team worksites to review their operations. We contacted 6 local law enforcement agencies to determine their knowledge of and compliance with the reporting requirements of the sexually motivated crime data base. We also contacted 7 unit/team leaders to determine their satisfaction with IRS services. We conducted surveys requesting feedback from various individuals, including prosecutors and judges, related to the extent of criminal activity within their respective communities and their awareness and satisfaction with MSP criminal investigation program activities.

We compiled crime statistics and trends within Michigan and compared them with other states.

AGENCY RESPONSES
Our audit report includes 5 findings and 5 corresponding recommendations. The agency preliminary response indicated that the Department generally agrees with all 5 recommendations.

Full Audit Report - #5514298 - Criminal Investigation Program

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This page was created on November 10, 1998.


INTRODUCTION This report, issued in November 1998, contains the results of our performance audit of the Criminal Investigation Program (CIP), Michigan Department of State Police (MSP).

AUDIT PURPOSE This performance audit was conducted as part of the constitutional responsibility of the Office of the Auditor General. Performance audits are conducted on a priority basis related to the potential for improving effectiveness and efficiency.

BACKGROUND CIP activities are carried out through the Investigative Services Bureau. CIP subscribes to the MSP mission to provide leadership, coordination, and delivery of law enforcement and support services in order to preserve, protect, and defend people and property, while respecting the rights and dignity of all persons. Our audit focused on three divisions within the Bureau: Field Detective Division (FDD), East Lansing Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and Southeastern Criminal Investigation Division (SECID). FDD is comprised of detectives assigned to district and post operations throughout the State. These officers respond to requests for service from citizens within their respective post areas and provide support to local law enforcement agencies, including correctional facilities, in handling complex criminal investigations. Under FDD is the Investigative Resources Section (IRS). The primary goal of IRS is to provide relevant criminal intelligence, technical assistance, and training for MSP and other law enforcement investigators. CID provides investigative services to local, county, State, and federal law enforcement agencies in 69 Michigan counties. SECID provides investigative services for 204 local, county, State, and federal law enforcement agencies in 14 counties in southeastern Michigan. Both CID and SECID provide investigative services relating to several areas, including illegal drug trafficking, diversion of controlled substances into the illegal market, homicide, organized crime, fugitive apprehension, public corruption, automobile theft and carjacking, and tax fraud. MSP also helps local agencies by participating in multijurisdictional task forces throughout the State. CIP was appropriated $38.1 million for fiscal year 1996-97 for approximately 400 full-time equated positions.

AUDIT OBJECTIVES, CONCLUSIONS, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Audit Objective: To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of CIP. Conclusion: Because there are a number of different factors and variables that influence crime and because meaningful measures have not been developed, we could not determine the effectiveness of specific activities operated and supported by MSP. The Uniform Crime Report shows that index and non-index crimes have continuously declined over the last few years in Michigan and activities and operations of CIP are similar to those conducted in other states. Also, crime statistics show that Michigan's estimated index crimes per 100,000 population is essentially equal to the national rate. However, Michigan's crime rate ranks 2nd highest within a group of 7 comparable states. We concluded that the CIP was generally efficient. Our assessment disclosed five reportable conditions related to program effectiveness (Finding 1), annual inspections (Finding 2), information technology (Finding 3), task force financial reporting and audits (Finding 4), and multijurisdictional task force organization (Finding 5). Noteworthy Accomplishments: Annual reports indicate that CIP initiated 8,691 cases that resulted in 5,938 arrests with an estimated value of $83.6 million in seized assets in calendar year 1996. Also, MSP, through its Statewide Information System (STATIS), will be the first agency on the National Drug Pointer Index (NDPIX) system. NDPIX is a nationwide system that allows for entry of drug-related investigations. STATIS is an on-line criminal intelligence reporting system designed to permit all police officers throughout Michigan to immediately share criminal intelligence information through a common data base. STATIS has also been selected to be the primary data base for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). HIDTA is a federally funded cooperative that targets high drug areas by combining the forces of many federal agencies with MSP and local departments. HIDTA will have its own "intelligence center" whereas MSP's STATIS will be accessed. At the time of our audit, STATIS had 175 police agencies on-line and included investigative records related to over 60,000 persons and 2,300 businesses and organizations. STATIS received federal certification in July 1996.

AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records for the Criminal Investigation Program. Our audit was conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and, accordingly, included such tests of the records and such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. To accomplish our objective, we examined MSP records related to CIP activities for the period October 1, 1995 through May 31, 1998. We interviewed MSP bureau, division, and unit/team, as well as local law enforcement, personnel. We analyzed the MSP and CIP mission statements and applicable statutes, policies, and procedures. We examined CIP records related to the overall allocation of resources, organization of units and multijurisdictional task forces, performance of annual and semi-annual inspections, completion of audits, and utilization of information technology. We visited 5 unit/team worksites to review their operations. We contacted 6 local law enforcement agencies to determine their knowledge of and compliance with the reporting requirements of the sexually motivated crime data base. We also contacted 7 unit/team leaders to determine their satisfaction with IRS services. We conducted surveys requesting feedback from various individuals, including prosecutors and judges, related to the extent of criminal activity within their respective communities and their awareness and satisfaction with MSP criminal investigation program activities. We compiled crime statistics and trends within Michigan and compared them with other states.

AGENCY RESPONSES Our audit report includes 5 findings and 5 corresponding recommendations. The agency preliminary response indicated that the Department generally agrees with all 5 recommendations.