MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the OSBI to provide superior investigative, laboratory, and informational services to law
enforcement, prosecutors, legislative committees, and the Governor of the State of Oklahoma in support of their
efforts to promote the highest quality of life for citizens of this great state.
THE COMMISSION
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Governor with
the advice and consent of the state senate. Four members represent the lay citizenry-at-large, one member will be a
district attorney, one member must be a sheriff, one member will be a chief-of-police. Members are appointed for
terms of seven years and not more than two may be from the same congressional district. Annually the Commission
selects one of the Commission members to serve as Chairman and one to serve as Vice Chairman. Members of the
Commission serve without salary but may be reimbursed for travel expenses in attending meetings and performing
their duties under the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Its statutory duties and responsibilities include:
- Maintaining scientific laboratories to assist all law enforcement agencies in the discovery and detection of
criminal activity, including implementing a DNA program;
- Maintaining fingerprint and other identification files; operating the Arrest Disposition Reporting System;
- Operating teletype, mobile and fixed radio or other communication systems;
- Conducting schools and training programs for the agents, peace officers and technicians of the state charged
with the enforcement of law and order and the investigation and detection of crime;
- Assisting all law enforcement officers and district attorneys when such assistance is requested:
- Investigating and detecting criminal activity as directed by the Governor, Attorney General, Council on Judicial
Complaints, or legislative committees with subpoena powers;
- Maintaining a Uniform Crime Reporting system; collecting and correlating information and compiling statistics
concerning the volume and nature of crime and the administration of criminal justice within the state;
- Administering the Oklahoma Reward Fund to give cash awards to people who assist law enforcement agencies in
the solution of specified crimes;
- Investigating motor vehicle thefts in Oklahoma;
- Directing, controlling, and administering a Missing Persons Information Program for all law enforcement officers in
the State of Oklahoma.
-Investigating threats against the person of elected or appointed officials and providing protection for foreign visiting
officials;
-Implementing, housing, and operating the statewide automated fingerprint identification system.
STATUTORY REFERENCES
Title 74, Section 150-150.26; Title 74, Section 152.2 through 152.9 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA / SERVICES PROVIDED
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95
Criteria/Service: Actual Actual Budgeted
Identification Section:
Fingerprint Cards Received 58,464 58,792 65,000
Fingerprint Cards Classified 20,272 29,238 32,500
Fingerprint Cards Searched 21,731 25,603 32,500
Fingerprint Cards Verified 33,097 23,553 32,500
Criminal Transcripts Disseminated 61,240 55,617 65,000
Criminal Records Encoded 76,088 95,431 100,000
Criminal History Record Checks 97,591 128,430 150,000
Communications Unit
Teletype Record Checks 90,375 104,574 100,000
Uniform Crime Reporting Unit
Reports Received 20,848 21,537 22,000
Agency Contacts 4,556 4,601 4,650
Training Schools Conducted 182 152 175
Arrest Disposition Reporting System Unit
New Cases Filed:
Felony 21,626 23,677 25,363
Misdemeanor 16,777 19,253 21,726
Defendant/Charges:
Felony 27,220 28,581 31,339
Misdemeanor 17,569 20,192 22,672
Hearings:
Felony 31,903 26,095 25,400
Misdemeanor 20,601 19,097 15,800
Sentences:
Felony 16,278 16,244 18,228
Misdemeanor 10,321 10,879 12,305
Criminalist Services Division:
Cases Received 13,066 13,946 14,780
Cases Closed 12,572 13,140 14,402
Reports Mailed 12,572 13,140 14,402
Cases Pending 1,316 2,122 2,500
Subpoenas Received 3,007 3,177 31,000
Analyses Performed 142,902 147,276 147,000
Hours in Court 2,471 2,391 2,400
Items Analyzed (various types) 38,074 36,429 37,000
Investigative Services Division:
Cases Opened 606 572 600
Cases Closed 547 551 550
Cases Arrested 285 163 225
Charged Files 623 382 500
Property Recovered $785,503 $898,525 $750,000
Cases Pending 669 690 700
EXPENDITURES BY FUNDS
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Type of Fund: Actual Actual Budgeted State Appropriated Funds: $8,061,595 $8,088,609 $8,259,123 State Continuing/Revolving Funds: 200 OSBI Revolving Fund 1,263,706 1,212,892 2,827,360 210 Automated Fingerprint ID Revolving 962,924 2,474,551 3,217,598 215 Drugfire Project 0 0 76,000 Total of Revolving Funds: 2,226,630 3,687,443 6,120,958 Federal Funds: 422,347 793,357 475,822 Total Expenditures by Fund 10,710,572 12,569,409 14,855,903 Capital Outlay Projects 200 Revolving Fund $430,000 Total Capital Outlay Expenditures $430,000
EXPENDITURES BY OBJECT
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Object of Expenditure Actual Actual Budgeted Salaries and Benefits $6,809,274 $6,705,856 $7,743,636 Professional Services 72,433 90,426 88,000 Travel 109,523 158,250 215,000 Lease-Purchase Expenditures 125,958 123,514 44,000 Equipment 1,466,583 3,548,972 4,382,635 Payment to Local Gov't Sub-Divisions 0 Other Operating Expenses 2,126,801 1,942,391 2,382,632 Total Expenditures by Object $10,710,572 $12,569,409 $14,855,903
EXPENDITURES BY BUDGET ACTIVITY / SUB-ACTIVITY
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95
Activity No. and Name Actual Actual Budgeted
01 Administration $2,639,218 $1,974,726 $1,880,056
80088 Info Services Div. D/P 314,917 423,298 417458
Total Administration 2,954,135 2,398,024 2,297,514
02 Operations
10000 Investigations 2,788,635 2,862,287 3,460,487
30000 Laboratory Systems 2,889,817 2,599,358 3,551,167
80000 Info Services Div. General 1,067,578 1,673,571 2,329,137
80089 Info Services AFIS 1,010,407 3,036,169 3,217,598
Total Operations $7,756,437 $10,171,385 $12,558,389
Total Expenditures by Activity $10,710,572 $12,569,409 $14,855,903
FULL-TIME-EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES (FTE) and VEHICLES
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95
Activity No. and Name Actual Actual Budgeted
01/00001 Administration 27.0 24.9 24.8
80088 Info Services Div. D/P 9.0 177.4 177.4
Sub-total: 36.0 202.3 202.2
02 Operations
10000 General Investigation 66.7 0.0 0.0
30000 Laboration Systems 53.3 0.0 0.0
80000 Info Services Div. General 32.1 0.0 0.0
80089 Info Services AFIS 0.0 0.0 0.0
Sub-total: 152.1 0.0 0.0
Total FTE 188.1 202.3 202.2
Number of Vehicles 133 131 146
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE / REVIEW
On July 1, 1925 a newly created law enforcement agency, the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, with
statewide police powers was placed under the control of the Governor's Office. With seven employees, only three
of whom were agents, an annual budget of $36,000 was mandated by the Oklahoma Legislature to combat organized
gangs of bank robbers that were terrorizing the state.
By 1936, the Bureau had grown from three to 17 investigators statewide. In 1932, there were efforts to abolish the agency, usually for economic reasons. The Bureau was removed from the Governor's Office and placed under the newly created Oklahoma Department of Public Safety in 1937. All but seven of the employees lost their jobs in the move.
In 1957 the OSBI was removed from the DPS and again placed under the direct control of the Governor. In the early 1970's, while still under the oversight of the Governor's Office, the agency faced the delicate situation of investigating Governor David Hall. During the course of the investigation, the director of the agency was removed by the Governor. This situation caused the 1976 legislature to place the OSBI under an independent commission.
In 1975, the task of narcotics enforcement, which had been added to the OSBI in 1964, was removed from the Bureau and given to a newly created agency, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, to focus exclusively on the growing problem of drug abuse.
Over the years, the Bureau has decentralized its operations, thus making its services more available to law enforcement agencies across the state. Along with the Oklahoma City Headquarters and the Central Laboratory, the OSBI has six regional investigative offices and five regional laboratories.
Another technological milestone was reached when the 1991 Legislature passed a measure establishing a DNA laboratory within the OSBI to maintain DNA profiles and other identification files. $75,000 in State matching funds was awarded in order to capture a Federal Grant of $225,000 (phase I) for establishment of the DNA Lab.
The 1992 Legislature awarded the Bureau $150,025 to relocate the Lawton/Southwest regional laboratory. Built on a landfill, the existing laboratory had developed serious structural defects. The additional dollars allowed the OSBI to combine the investigative office and laboratory into one location by leasing another facility containing approximately 6,000 square feet. Of the awarded moneys, $115,000 was required as a one-time expenditure for modular laboratory cabinetry with acid resistant tops.
The agency received an additional $24,505 added to $75,000 appropriated in FY-92 to match an additional $298,513 of federal funds for Phase II of the DNA program. In FY-93, the DNA section conducted population and validation studies in order to prepare to accept casework. The OSBI expects the lab to be operational in FY-94 and begin acceptance of cases from law enforcement agencies in the state of Oklahoma.
Funding for replacement of a Senior Forensic Document Examiner was authorized to allow the agency to provide criminal handwriting analysis and document comparison to state and local enforcement agencies. Additionally, the FTE limit was increased by two to allow the agency to hire a Clerk II and Typist Clerk III to handle the increased workload for criminal history checks. The fee charged for the checks will pay these salaries.
Keeping within the personal services cap, the OSBI implemented the one-step/2.5% pay-raise as mandated by HB 1973 effective December 1,1992, and the discretionary one-step/2.5% salary increase effective January 1, 1993, retroactive to July 1, 1992. To cover the costs for the seven months of FY-93, while complying with the personal services cap as calculated by the Office of State Finance, the agency left vacant eight positions that were unfilled. For FY-94, the OSBI left vacant an additional three positions. The net effect is a reduction of 11 FTE.
With less than projected FY-93 revenue available for appropriation by the legislature for FY-94, the lawmakers were forced to cut budgets and reprioritize state needs. One method used by the lawmakers to close the budget gap, was the implementation of budget cuts averaging 10% of the base for most appropriated agencies. The OSBI was appropriated $7,944,020, a reduction of $260,212 or (3.2%) from FY-93.
The 1994 legislature funded an across-the-board employee pay plan for 9 months at $800 for each state employee (prorated for 9 months). In addition, the legislature provided funding for a 6% salary adjustment for all commissioned law enforcement officers beginning Oct. 1, 1994 (prorated for 9 months). Additional costs in '96 would cover the remaining three months.
Seven FTE were added to the agency's overall FTE limit: one FTE was funded to provide investigative services for the Judicial Nominating Committee and six Crime Scene Specialist FTE were authorized and whose salaries will be funded by the AFIS Revolving Fund. Additionally, the legislature authorized the hiring of 11 FTE whose salaries will be supported by the agency Revolving Fund. The agency was authorized to use revolving fund monies to match federal funds for purchasing arson analysis laboratory equipment. Passage of SB 61 increased the fee charged for criminal records checks from $10 to $15. The increased is estimated to account for an additional $450,000 to $500,000 to be credited to the agency's Revolving Fund.
Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
During FY-90, legislation was passed that enabled the Bureau to purchase an Automated Fingerprint Identification
System (AFIS). AFIS replaced the practice of manually matching fingerprints to OSBI records, thereby increasing
both the clearance and conviction rates of major crimes. Funding for the $5.8 million system is generated from a
$3.00 penalty assessment paid by individuals convicted of offenses punishable by fines. No General Revenue funds
were required for the new system. A contract was signed with PRC that specifies a phased payment schedule as
milestones are met.
DNA Laboratory
In FY-93, the DNA section began conducting population and validation studies in order to prepare to accept casework.
The OSBI expects the lab to be operational in FY-94 and begin acceptance of cases from law enforcement agencies in
the state of Oklahoma.
Drugfire Project
The 1993 Legislature established the Drugfire Project and a corresponding revolving fund, limited to $145,000 for the
purchase of a computerized system designed to link regional forensic laboratories and provide a central database.
Funding for the project is generated from all state agencies who receive moneys from seized assets in accordance
with the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act.
Indian Gaming
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), enacted by Congress in 1988, provided a legal framework for the
establishment and operation of gaming on Native American lands. As of Nov. 19, 1993, 100 tribal-state compacts,
involving 19 states and 78 tribes, have been approved The progress in implementing IGRA has occurred primarily
through cooperation between the states and tribes, and in some cases through court decisions in litigation. The 1993
Oklahoma Legislature empowered the OSBI to oversee the tribal compacts relating to Indian gaming activities.
Presently, there are no tribal-state gaming compacts in OK.