Please Note: You are viewing the non-styled version of SITE NAME. Either your browser does not support Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) or it is disabled. We suggest upgrading your browser to the latest version of your favorite Internet browser.
July 28, 2002 - Columbus, Ohio - Ohio's Tax Enforcement Division is First With the Best
COLUMBUS – - The Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) has become the first tax department in the country with a nationally accredited law enforcement unit.
The national Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) awarded accreditation to ODT's Enforcement Division at the group's annual meeting in Cleveland last weekend (7/28/02).
The Enforcement Division investigates and assists prosecutions of all criminal violations of state tax law, including those involving sales, tobacco, motor fuel and income/withholding taxes.
"We are extremely proud of this designation," said Ohio Tax Commissioner Thomas Zaino. "It assures the citizens of Ohio that they are served by a tax enforcement group that adheres to the highest law enforcement standards."
Robert Bray, chief of the Enforcement Division, said his division's goal is to provide quality investigative and enforcement services for ODT, and that the "law enforcement accreditation process is an excellent way to incorporate that goal in all aspects of our operation."
Bray noted it took three years for the division to meet all the CALEA standards and it must continue to meet those standards since "re-accreditation will occur in three years."
"Ohio taxpayers are our customers," Bray said. "One of their primary concerns is that everyone pays their fair share. We concentrate on those who intentionally and criminally dodge that responsibility. "
CALEA was created in 1979 by several police agencies to administer an accreditation process meant to foster professional excellence in law enforcement management and service delivery. Less than five percent of the law enforcement agencies in the country have earned CALEA accreditation. The ODT Enforcement Division has 18 tax agents who are certified peace officers.
--30--
(For more information, contact Gary Gudmundson, ODT Communications Director, at (614) 644-6903.)
