News Release
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.
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(For more information, contact Gary Gudmundson, ODT
Communications Director, at (614) 644-6903.)