OSBI seeks information on potential performance audit
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has asked the state auditor and inspector how much it would cost for a performance audit.
OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown said Friday that the agency also wants to know more about what results a performance audit might provide. Because the OSBI is a member of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the agency already is evaluated on its policies and whether they are followed, she said.
“I don’t know if the performance audit would be very similar to what we are already doing,” Brown said.
She also said that a state audit might cost more than the agency can afford. Lawmakers appropriated about $12 million to the agency last year, a 4 percent cut from the previous year.
The request for a proposal was triggered by a legislative inquiry. State Rep. Bobby Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, has asked for an interim study this year on the OSBI, its policies and administrative operations.
Cleveland began inquiries at the OSBI after more than 40 employees complained this year that Director Stan Florence was an ineffective leader and that morale at the bureau was declining. Florence agreed to step down, but after a meeting with the OSBI commission he reversed his decision and remains at the helm.
In a news release Friday, Cleveland wrote that Florence asked for a performance audit. However, Florence’s letter to the state auditor just asks for a proposal.
“I was especially interested in learning about the scope of a performance audit with the possible outcomes providing relevant suggestions for improvements in an agency’s effectiveness and efficiency,” Florence wrote to State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones.
“Because of this, I am writing to request a proposal from your office for a performance audit to be conducted on behalf of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. I am open to the suggestions you might present in terms of the targeted areas for review and what the expectations may be on our part, should we enter into an agreement with you for this purpose.”
Cleveland said he’s glad the OSBI is interested in looking for help.
“It’s clear he wants to improve his agency, and I’m happy he’s taking immediate steps to do so,” Cleveland said.
“After reviewing numerous complaints from OSBI employees, I’m confident Jones will find areas in need of improvement. The agency will receive nearly $12 million this year from the state of Oklahoma and we need to ensure our citizens are seeing a good return on investment. The performance audit is an important step in the right direction and I’ll be anxiously awaiting the results.”
Officials with the OSBI and state auditor’s office are planning to meet again this month, but Brown said she doesn’t expect a decision at that point.