Florida Department of Corrections
Michael D. Crews, Secretary

Goals and Organizational Enhancements

Law Enforcement Authority

• Amend Chapter 944.31 to give the Secretary authority to designate inspectors within the Office of the Inspector General as sworn law enforcement officers. Would streamline the department's criminal investigations by not having to rely on outside law enforcement agencies, particularly in the area of making arrests. Would increase the professionalism and perception of objectivity of DC investigations by having all law enforcement certified staff.

  Approximately 57 of 97 inspectors would require cross-over training from correctional officer to law enforcement officer certification. This cost would be absorbed by the agency within the normal position expense allocation.

Improve Investigative Process

• Modified investigators' procedure manual to include "exonerated" as an additional category to sustained/unsubstantiated. Effective August 23, 2001.
• Improved version of investigations data system (IGLOGS) brought on-line September 17, 2001. This included access for the 52 institutional inspectors for the first time.

Contraband Interdiction Unit

• Reduced the reliance on institutional security staff that supplement interdiction operations. Having agency's own narcotic canines has made vehicle and building searches much more efficient, requiring fewer staff resources.

Contract Monitoring

• Will put into operation a new unit in the fall of 2001 to monitor the department's private vendor contracts.