The New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) is a law enforcement agency of the

government of New York City The government of New York City, headquartered at New York City Hall in Lower Manhattan, is organized under the New York City Charter and provides for a mayor-council system. The mayor is elected to a four-year term and is responsible for the ...

that has been referred to by some observers as New York City's "secret police" because its investigations are confidential and its investigators are not uniformed. DOI serves as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog for New York City government. Established in 1873, it is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the country.

Functions

DOI has broad jurisdiction, and is authorized to investigate fraud, waste, misconduct, abuse of authority, and unethical conduct in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

. DOI may also investigate any activity when directed by the Mayor or the City Council, or may investigate activities that the Commissioner of Investigation believes are in the best interest of the City. Major functions include investigating and referring for prosecution cases of fraud, corruption, misconduct and unethical conduct by City employees, contractors, and others who receive City money or do business with the City. DOI is also charged with studying agency procedures to identify corruption hazards and recommending improvements in order to reduce the City's vulnerability to fraud, waste, and corruption. DOI also investigates the backgrounds of persons selected to work in decision-making or sensitive City jobs, and conducts checks on companies and their principals to help agencies determine if they are companies that can be awarded City contracts. DOI is empowered to issue subpoenas, take testimony under oath, and issue reports of its investigative findings. DOI can forward its findings to federal and state prosecutors, which can result in arrests. It can also refer its findings to the City's Conflicts of Interest Board, and other agencies who make disciplinary or other administrative decisions. Under the City Charter, DOI serves as the investigative arm of the City's Conflicts of Interest Board. DOI currently has oversight of about 300,000 City employees in 45 City agencies; dozens of Boards and Commissions; the Office of the Inspector General for the

New York City Housing Authority The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is a public development corporation which provides public housing in New York City, and is the largest public housing authority in North America. Created in 1934 as the first agency of its kind in the U ...

; and, as of 2014, the independent Office of the Inspector General for the

New York City Police Department The New York City Police Department (NYPD), officially the City of New York Police Department, established on May 23, 1845, is the primary municipal law enforcement agency within the City of New York, the largest and one of the oldest in ...

(OIG-NYPD).

Jurisdiction

Unlike most law enforcement agencies, DOI's jurisdiction is not geographically limited, but is instead limited by subject matter. DOI has jurisdiction over fraud, waste, abuse of authority, and criminal wrongdoing committed by City employees, contractors, benefit recipients, or business associates committed anywhere. Though most of its investigations occur within New York City or the surrounding areas, DOI may inquire about activities that occurred outside of New York when such activity is related to DOI's subject matter jurisdiction. When arresting wrongdoers, DOI's investigators, who are considered New York state peace officers, may make an arrest in any place within New York where their investigation legitimately takes them.

Organization

The DOI Commissioner is a mayoral appointee, but must be confirmed by the City Council. To remove the DOI Commissioner, the Mayor has to state the reasons in writing and provide an opportunity for the Commissioner to respond publicly.

Special Investigators

DOI "Special Investigators" conduct DOI's investigations and arrest criminals. They are non-uniformed, but do have badges and clothing to identify themselves as DOI special investigators. Special investigators are New York State peace officers, and are authorized to make arrests, serve subpoenas and summonses, and carry weapons.

History

The DOI was founded in 1873 as the Office of the Commissioners of Accounts as a result of the Boss Tweed and

Tammany Hall Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York City political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society. It became the main loc ...

scandals. In 1938, as the result of a Charter revision, the agency's name was changed to the Department of Investigation.

References

External links

Official site
{{Law enforcement in New York City 1873 establishments in New York (state) Investigation Law enforcement agencies of New York City