NCJ Number
87729
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1983) Pages: 38-46,48
Date Published
1983
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The Colorado Organized Crime Strike Force (OCSF) has recently been rebuilt under a new management structure after it was racked with scandal attributed to loose personnel rules and an ill-defined management structure.
Abstract
The Colorado OCSF was created in 1972 with funds from LEAA, being made part of the State Attorney General's Office. It was created not by the State legislature but by agreement among the participating agencies. The program's structure, goals, and procedures resulted from what might be called a group handshake involving personnel involved at the time. Indirect statutory authority was used to obtain appropriations from the legislature. The OCSF was extremely effective in obtaining drug convictions through the 1970's but encountered severe problems in mid-1981. A number of seasoned Strike Force lawyers, including the squad's project director, resigned to enter private practice. Budget problems prevented the hiring of replacements of equal quality and experience. Clashes between the new young lawyers and the seasoned investigators became a problem, and as conflicts were resolved in favor of the investigators, they assumed more power and, some say, arrogance. The agent-in-charge was virtually the project director. His efforts to supplement his income by 'moonlighting' occasioned his contact with an influential newspaper editor and Elvis Presley, both of whom used drugs illegally. The receipt of gifts from both of these men without drug enforcement action being taken by the investigator seemed by many to border on bribery not to enforce drug laws. Following the resignation of the agent-in-charge and other personnel, the OCSF is being rebuilt under State legislation and a pronounced management structure.