History Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

1 history

1.1 origins
1.2 independence
1.3 21st century

history
origins

in 1920s gangs of outlaws roamed state robbing , burglarizing banks , terrorizing citizens of many oklahoma towns. these gangsters escaped lawmen fleeing across county lines. united states marshals service law enforcement agency statewide jurisdiction, officers outnumbered bandits.

in 1925, governor of oklahoma martin e. trapp, in state of state address recommended creation of agency of special investigators or state police combat outlaws. oklahoma legislature appropriated $78,000 establish bureau of criminal identification , investigation. year after creation, bureau s 3 agents or operatives credited reducing number of bank robberies in state 75 percent. agents accomplished developing leads , using informants considered many innovative investigative techniques @ time.

in 1939, bureau taken out under direction of adjutant general s office , became division of oklahoma department of public safety. during these years agency became known state crime bureau. arrangement lasted until 1957, when bureau placed under direct control of governor s office , renamed oklahoma state bureau of investigation. in 1957, osbi began emerge professional law enforcement agency. employees placed under merit system , first time, working agency seen career opportunity rather temporary employment.

independence

in wake of controversial investigation of governor david hall bureau, agency removed direct control of governor s office. in 1976, 7 member independent commission created oversee activities of osbi. makeup of commission includes: 1 police chief, 1 sheriff, 1 district attorney , 4 lay members. these members appointed governor , approved oklahoma senate serve 7 year staggered terms. in general, osbi commission appoints director, hears complaints, establishes guidelines , serves buffer between bureau , potential political pressures concerning particular investigations.

21st century

on september 11, 2002, osbi recognized first oklahoma state law enforcement agency accredited commission on accreditation law enforcement agencies.

on july 1, 2009, osbi assumed research functions of oklahoma criminal justice resource center , oklahoma sentencing commission, dissolved @ time. osbi officially recognized united states bureau of justice statistics state analysis center.