Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion announces new gang strike unit
Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Michael Campion today (June 12) along with others announced the creation of a new, temporary, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement unit to combat gang activity this summer.
Campion suspended the Metro Gang Strike Force, created by the Legislature in 2005, after a recent review by the legislative auditor found a series of deficiencies — basic internal controls were lacking, confidential information funds were not properly used, six officers sent to Hawaii without proper authorization, state property forfeiture procedures were frequently not followed, forfeited money and money from the sale of forfeited property was not properly distributed, the auditor found.
According to DPS, the FBI is investigating the strike force and it will remain suspended indefinitely until the FBI completes its investigation.
Allegedly, the same day the legislative auditor’s report was issued some officers were shredding documents at the unit’s headquarters.
Campion, who appointed a review panel to examine the Metro Gang Strike Force, also requested the FBI investigate, according to the DPS.
“We need to ensure the integrity of the operation before the strike force resumes its work, and, based on the initial findings of the review panel and the follow-up report by the auditor, we now know that will take longer than originally expected,” said Campion in a statement.
The review panel in a preliminary report indicated that it had received information from a number of sources concerning allegations dating back several years about the strike force.
The review panel also found a lack of agreement among strike force advisory board members about the mission of the strike force, according to the DPS.
“We will make certain that cash and vehicles seized by officers during the course of an arrest are appropriately logged, tracked and secured,” Campion said. “In order for prosecutors to charge these cases and obtain convictions in court, officers need to write detailed investigatory reports and handle the evidence properly from the time of the initial arrest.”
