NCJ Number
40510
Date Published
1976
Length
34 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAM RELEVANCE, PARTICIPANT SCREENING, AND COURSE LENGTH ISSUES OF THIS PROGRAM WHICH ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO ATTEND THE 5-WEEK INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE SPECIAL AGENT BASIC SCHOOL.
Abstract
SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 1969, SELECTED LEAA SPONSORED PARTICIPANTS FROM LOCAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE ATTENDED THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE SPECIAL AGENT BASIC SCHOOL (SABS) LOCATED IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA. THE SPECIAL AGENT BASIC SCHOOL FORMS THE NUCLEUS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR AGENTS OF THE INTELLIGENCE DIVISION OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. THE INSTRUCTION OFFERED WAS SEEN AS HAVING CONSIDERABLE VALUE TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN THEIR CAPABILITY TO COMBAT FINANCIAL CRIMES. SINCE SABS TRAINING IS OF A SPECIALIZED NATURE, THIS EVALUATION INVESTIGATED THE QUESTION OF THE SAB'S RELEVANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. IN ADDITION, THE EVALUATION EXAMINED THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE TRAINEES' JOB TO THE TRAINING, AND THE JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE LENGTH OF THE COURSE. BASED ON SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES AND INTENSIVE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH PARTICIPANTS AND STATE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN ECONOMIC CRIME INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION, THE SABS TRAINING WAS EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL TO TRAINEES, IMPROVED THEIR PERFORMANCE ON-THE-JOB, AND ENHANCED TRAINEE AWARENESS OF CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMIC CRIME. AN ESTIMATED 92 PERCENT OF THOSE IN SABS TRAINING IN 1975 HAD JOBS RELATED TO THE TRAINING. THE LENGTH OF THE TRAINING WAS CONSIDERED JUSTIFIED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDENTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...DMC