NCJ Number
34964
Date Published
1976
Length
185 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ON WAYS TO MAKE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES PROFESSIONALLY INDEPENDENT LEGAL ARMS OF THE GOVERNMENT BY INSULATING THEM FROM PARTISAN INFLUENCES.
Abstract
IT IS THE RESULT OF A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE MATERIALS ON THE SUBJECT CONDUCTED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THIS COMMITTEE WAS CREATED IN JUNE 1973 TO STUDY THE BASIC ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ALL THE INVESTIGATIVE AND PROSECUTORIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE FEDERAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, IT LIMITED ITS SCOPE OF STUDY TO THE INVESTIGATIVE AND PROSECUTORIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (INCLUDING THE FBI) AND THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. TWENTY SETS OF COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED ON THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, AND THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, FOLLOWED BY INDIVIDUAL COMMENTARIES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOCUS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES ON THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, EMPHASIZE THE CONCEPTS OF ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSEEING FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND REFLECT THE IDEA OF OPENNESS AND THE PUBLIC'S AND CONGRESS' RIGHT TO KNOW. A THREE-PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CONGRESSIONAL MATERIALS, BOOKS, STUDIES, ARTICLES, AND MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS IS INCLUDED.