Office of County Investigations (OCI)

OCI operates the County Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline (Hotline) pursuant to Government Code Section (§) 53087.6 and conducts criminal and administrative investigations into allegations received via the Hotline pursuant to Penal Code (PC)
§ 830.13 and Board Policy 9.040. This includes the authority to access criminal history records and execute search warrants. All OCI investigators must complete a series of trainings, which includes Peace Officers Standards and Training level III certification.

OCI is comprised of investigators with fiscal, technology, and/or human resources backgrounds. OCI investigators are "fact gatherers" who utilize financial tools, interview techniques, monitoring, and computer forensics, to effectively investigate alleged misconduct. OCI investigators issue reports of facts that are used in administrative proceedings (e.g., employee discipline, vendor debarment, civil recoveries) and/or criminal proceedings (i.e., criminal prosecution). OCI Investigators also testify in various legal proceedings.

OCI is responsible for the Ombuds for Youth in STRTPs program. The Ombudsperson serves as a personal rights advocate, providing a confidential and informal process to resolve concerns that arise for children placed in group homes. OCI maintains informal and confidential process to help youth resolve concerns while in group placement via a toll-free hotline for outreach and liaison activities with STRTPs and non-contract group homes. Generally, youth in STRTPs and non-contract group homes turn to the Ombuds for Youth STRTPs when other avenues of problem resolution have not been effective. The Ombudsperson also ensures compliance with established care, treatment, and programming standards for group home youth through a risk-based program of group home site visits.