The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is the criminal investigative arm of the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense.
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DCIS protects military personnel by investigating cases of fraud, bribery, and corruption.
Preventing the illegal transfer of sensitive defense technologies to proscribed nations and criminal elements.
Investigating companies that use defective, substandard, or counterfeit parts in weapon systems and equipment utilized by the military.
They Also Stop cyber crimes and computer intrusions.
History and Organization of DCIS
Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger established DCIS in 1981 as a worldwide civilian federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating suspected criminal activities involving DoD Components and DoD contractors.
The Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General incorporated DCIS in 1982 when it was established.
In 1997, DCIS achieved the distinction of being one of the first OIG investigative components to receive permanent statutory law enforcement authorities similar to those held by the FBI.
Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, DCIS maintains over 50 field offices situated across the United States, Germany, Southwest Asia, and South Korea.
Defense Criminal Investigative Service employs more than 450 dedicated professionals comprised of special agents, analysts, and support personnel.
DCIS is led by a Director who reports to the Deputy Inspector General for Investigations
Mission and Priorities of DCIS
The mission of DCIS is to provide independent, relevant, timely, and credible investigations to deter and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct in DoD programs and operations;
Protect national security; and support the warfighter.
The priorities of DCIS are to:
- Protect America’s warfighters by ensuring that they are equipped with safe, effective, and reliable weapons systems and equipment.
- Protect America’s interests by preventing the illegal transfer or diversion of sensitive defense technologies, information, or materials to unauthorized recipients.
- Protect America’s resources by combating fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption in DoD contracts, programs, and operations.
- Protect America’s cyberspace by investigating cyber crimes and computer intrusions that affect DoD networks, systems, or data.
- Protect America’s integrity by enforcing ethical standards and holding accountable those who violate the public trust.
Examples of DCIS Investigations
DCIS conducts investigations in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State. Some examples of DCIS investigations are:
- Operation Ill Wind: A major investigation into corruption and bribery involving defense contractors and Pentagon officials that resulted in more than 90 convictions and more than $200 million in fines and restitution
- Operation Desert Fraud: A series of investigations into fraud and abuse related to the Gulf War that resulted in more than 100 convictions and more than $50 million in fines and restitution
- Operation Flicker: An investigation into child pornography on DoD computers that identified more than 5,000 individuals who accessed child pornography websites using government networks or devices
- Operation Broken Trust: A nationwide operation targeting investment fraud schemes that victimized more than 120,000 investors across the country, many of whom were military personnel or retirees. The operation resulted in more than 500 arrests and more than $10 billion in losses