Who we are and what we do
Date: 2/25/2007
The Association of Special Agents (ASA) for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) represents approximately 450 special agents and special-agent supervisors working as the enforcement arm for the Attorney General. This elite, but dwindling, group of sworn peace officers are generally better educated and more experienced than many of their law-enforcement counterparts and are often called upon for their expertise and ability to coordinate joint activities between local, state, and federal agencies.
A few of the myriad operations special agents perform include gathering intelligence on criminal organizations and gangs; setting up undercover operations; providing ground and aerial surveillance; collecting evidence through wiretaps and forensic analysis; taking the lead in combating methamphetamine production and distribution; fighting high-tech crimes, and hunting down sexual predators.
Elder abuse, gaming violations, fraud, and illegal firearms also fall under the purview of DOJ special agents. Post 9/11, special agents established the California Anti-Terrorism Information Center to provide law enforcement with statewide intelligence support in order to combat terrorism. DOJ also provides information on traditional criminal activities through statewide information clearinghouses.
Special agents are frequently cross-sworn as federal officers in order to allow them to complete their cases outside of California. They are also frequently chosen by their peer agencies as the lead group in multi-jurisdictional cases.
Among the ranks of the ASA are special agents, special-agent supervisors, and special-agent trainees. Also included are DOJ pilots and WISN Coordinators. ASA members work throughout various divisions within the Attorney General’s office. Those divisions divide into various bureaus and subdivisions, which include:
Firearms Bureau which conducts under-cover investigations for violations of state firearms laws, works closely with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), trains local law-enforcement officials on firearms law and regulations, inspects licensed firearms dealers, lends safety assistance to gun show promoters, locates and arrests felons in possession of firearms; and testifies as expert witnesses.
Bureau of Gambling Control, which investigates casinos and card clubs throughout California for violations of California’s gaming laws.
California Bureau of Investigation, the state’s own FBI, which investigates a wide-variety of crimes including sexual predators, violent and repeat offenders, serial crimes, internet crimes against children, money laundering, extortion, public corruption, homicides, rapes, false imprisonment, and much, much more.
California Criminal Intelligence Bureau, which leads the state’s anti-terrorism operations, including the California Anti-Terrorism Information Center and acting as an intelligence clearinghouse for local and federal agencies.
Bureau of Medical Fraud and Elder Abuse (BMFEA), which works to protect California’s elderly and disabled from physical abuse and fiduciary fraud. Agents also investigate fraud in the Medi-Cal program. The BMFEA Elder Abuse unit subdivides into Operation Guardians, which conduct surprise inspections at skilled nursing facilities; Violent Crime Unit, which investigates and prosecutes physical attacks against the elderly or disabled; and a Facilities Enforcement Team, which investigates and prosecutes nursing homes, hospitals, and residential-care facilities for substandard care. The Medi-Cal Fraud Unit saves California tax payers millions of dollars each year through the investigation and prosecution of un-trained and unlicensed medical providers, fraudulent over-billing for medical services; the ordering of unnecessary lab tests or dental care; and a variety of other medically related fraudulent activity.
Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), which investigates the illegal manufacture, distribution, sales, diversion, possession, and use of controlled substances. BNE agents also monitor doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and other medical practitioners and providers for illicit use of legally manufactured controlled substances.
Often the best, often the most trusted, often the first called, and often the last line of defense, DOJ special agents are at the center of California’s law enforcement apparatus. Local, federal, and other state law-enforcement agencies have come to rely on DOJ special agents for their leadership in fighting crime.
Association of Special Agents
California Department of Justice
P.O. Box 787
Lakewood, CA 90714
(562) 491-0650
E-Mail: doj_asa@verizon.net |
