Report on the

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

State of Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2015

Filed: February 19, 2016

Department of
Examiners of Public Accounts
50 North Ripley Street, Room 3201
P.O. Box 302251
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2251
Website: www.examiners.alabama.gov

Ronald L. Jones, Chief Examiner

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State of Alabama
Department of

Examiners of Public Accounts

Ronald L. Jones
Chief Examiner

P.O. Box 302251, Montgomery, AL 36130-2251

50 North Ripley Street, Room 320 I
Montgomery, Alabama 36104-3833
Telephone (334) 242-9200
FAX (334) 242-1775

Honorable Ronald L. Jones

Chief Examiner of Public Accounts
Montgomery, Alabama 36130

Dear Sir:
Under the authority of the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 41-5-21, we submit this report on
the results of the examination of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for the period
October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2015.

Respectfully submitted,
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Robin Teater
Examiner of Public Accounts

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Jason Norsworthy
Examiner of Public Accounts

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Bret Hudson
Examiner of Public Accounts

Table of Contents
Page
Summary

Contains items pertaining to state legal compliance.

Comments

Contains information pertaining to agency operations and other matters.

Exhibit #1

Schedule of Cash Receipts, Disbursements and Balances

Funds 0100, 0200, 1186, 1615 and 1629

Exhibit #2

Official

Exhibit #3

Commission Members and Official

Alabama Justice Information Commission a listing of the
Commission members and official.

___________________________________________

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

State of Alabama

Department of

Examiners of Public Accounts

SUMMARY
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2015

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (the Agency) operates under the provisions
of the Code of Alabama 1975, Sections 41-27-1 through 41-27-9. The Agency was created
within the executive branch of State government by Act Number 2013-67, Acts of Alabama,
to coordinate public safety in Alabama and represents the consolidation and realignment
of 12 state law enforcement agencies/functions into one entity. The Alabama Law
Enforcement Agency is responsible for the functions and missions of the Alabama
Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, Alabama Bureau of
Investigation, Fusion Center, Criminal Justice Information Center, Marine Police, Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division, Department of Revenue Enforcement,
Forestry Commission Investigations, Agriculture and Industry Investigations, Public Service
Commission Enforcement, and Office of Prosecution Services Computer Forensic
Laboratories. The mission of the Agency is to efficiently provide quality service, protection,
and safety for the State of Alabama through the utilization of consolidated law enforcement,
investigative, and support services.
This report presents the results of an examination of the Agency and a review of
compliance by the Agency with applicable laws and regulations of the State of
Alabama. This examination was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the
Department of Examiners of Public Accounts under the authority of the Code of Alabama
1975, Section 41-5-14. Our examination was performed for the purpose of determining
whether the public officers, agents, and employees of the Agency properly and lawfully
accounted for all money and other public assets or resources received, disbursed, or in the
custody of the Agency. Our examination included determining compliance by the Agency
with state laws and regulations that pertain to financial transactions; personnel; safeguarding
of state-owned assets, property, and resources; information dissemination, processing, and
retention; and official actions, rulemaking procedures, and meetings. As a part of our
examination, we also reviewed internal control policies and procedures relating to the areas
listed above. Our examination did not encompass managerial and operational matters, such as
whether the Agency accomplished its mission or its regulatory, enforcement, investigative, or
other oversight activities in an efficient, fair, timely, or legal manner.

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Tests performed during the examination did not disclose any significant instances of
noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Mr. Spencer Collier, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary, was invited to an exit
conference held on December 15, 2015. Individuals in attendance were: Hal Taylor,
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Chief of Staff, Robert Ratliff, ALEA Chief
Financial Officer, Jennifer Frost, ALEA Accounting Director, Shaundra Morris, ALEA
Accounting Manager, and Jason Swann, ALEA Executive Counsel. Also in attendance were
Bebe Green, Robin Teater, Jason Norsworthy, and Bret Hudson with the Department of
Examiners of Public Accounts.

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Department of

Examiners of Public Accounts

COMMENTS
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2015

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (the Agency) operates under the provisions
of the Code of Alabama 1975, Sections 41-27-1 through 41-27-9. The Agency was created
within the executive branch of State government by Act Number 2013-67, Acts of Alabama,
to coordinate public safety in Alabama and represents the consolidation and realignment
of 12 state law enforcement agencies/functions into one entity. The Alabama Law
Enforcement Agency is responsible for the functions and missions of the Alabama
Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, Alabama Bureau of
Investigation, Fusion Center, Criminal Justice Information Center, Marine Police, Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division, Department of Revenue Enforcement,
Forestry Commission Investigations, Agriculture and Industry Investigations, Public Service
Commission Enforcement, and Office of Prosecution Services Computer Forensic
Laboratories. The mission of the Agency is to efficiently provide quality service, protection,
and safety for the State of Alabama through the utilization of consolidated law enforcement,
investigative, and support services.
The consolidation began June 1, 2013 with the Department of Homeland Security and the
Alabama Fusion Center joining to form the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The
remaining agencies/functions, including the Department of Public Safety, were merged into
the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on January 1, 2015, which completed the
consolidation.
Act Number 2013-67 created the State Bureau of Investigations, which consolidates the
Alabama Bureau of Investigation from the Department of Public Safety and investigative
functions of the law enforcement unit of the Alabama Beverage Control Board and the
investigative units of the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Department of Agriculture
and Industries.

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The State Bureau of Investigations succeeds to and is vested with all functions of the Alabama
Criminal Justice Information Center. Act Number 2013-67 renamed the Alabama Criminal
Justice Information Center Commission the Alabama Justice Information Commission. The
Alabama Justice Information Commission retains its regulatory and policymaking authority
regarding information in the Criminal Justice Information System and uniform crime reports,
including its adjudicatory authority for misuse of information. Beginning October 1, 2014,
the Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency shall serve as chairman of the
Alabama Justice Information Commission. Exhibit 3 provides information regarding the
Alabama Justice Information Commission.
The Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is the executive head of the Agency
and is appointed by and holds office at the pleasure of the Governor, who sets the salary of the
Secretary. The Secretary is a member of the Governors Cabinet who shall advise the
Governor on matters of public safety. The Secretary coordinates the various law enforcement
and investigative services and serves as the Homeland Security Advisor for the State. The
Secretary assumes all duties of the Director of Homeland Security, including all functions of
the Alabama Fusion Center, and is responsible for coordinating, designing, and implementing
Alabamas program for homeland security, including immigration enforcement. Exhibit 2
provides information regarding the Secretary of the Agency during the examination period.
In addition to the Office of the Secretary, the Agency is divided into the following six
bureaus/units:

Department of Public Safety The Director of the Department of Public Safety is

responsible for overseeing the Highway Patrol Division and the Marine Police Division.

State Bureau of Investigation The Director of the State Bureau of Investigation is

responsible for overseeing the Major Crimes Division and the Narcotics Division.

Protective Services Unit The Unit Chief of the Protective Services Unit is responsible
for overseeing the Capitol Police and Dignitary Protection.

Administrative Bureau The Chief Financial Officer of the Administrative Bureau is

responsible for overseeing Human Resources, Accounting, Grants Management, and
General Services and Supply.

Information Bureau The Chief Information Officer of the Information Bureau is

responsible for overseeing the Criminal Records and Identification Unit, Criminal Justice
Systems Support, Information Systems Services, Infrastructure Services, the Geographic
Information Program Office, and Citizen Services.

Law Enforcement Support Unit The Supervisor of the Law Enforcement Support Unit
is responsible for overseeing Training, Aviation, Tactical Operations, the Law
Enforcement Special Response Unit, Public Information/Outreach, Law Enforcement
Communications, and Fleet Services.

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Act Number 2013-67 created the Public Safety Fund in the State Treasury. The fund consists
of all monies appropriated for support of the functions of the Agency. Sources of the
Agencys operating funds include General Fund appropriations, gasoline taxes, fees and fines
collected by the Agency in carrying out its statutory mission, and Federal and local funds.
Exhibit 1 provides the combined receipts, disbursements and cash balances for the Agency.
Additionally, the Agency has one bank account maintained outside the State Treasury. The
bank account is used for the receipt and disbursement of funds appropriated from the General
Fund for narcotics investigations.
The Agency has approximately 1,378 employees, consisting primarily of state merit system
employees. One employees leave progression start date was incorrectly recorded in GHRS,
causing his annual leave to accrue at the wrong rate. The leave progression start date, the
annual leave accrual rate and the annual leave balance for this employee were corrected by the
Agency before the completion of fieldwork.
The Agency owned nonconsumable personal property consisting of automobiles, office
furniture, computers and equipment. We compared nonconsumable personal property in the
custody of the Agency with property records maintained by the Property Inventory Division
of the State Auditors Office. No discrepancies were noted.

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This Page Intentionally Blank

Schedule of Cash Receipts, Disbursements and Balances

Funds 0100, 0200, 1186, 1615 and 1629
For the Period October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2015

2014-2015
Receipts
General Fund Allotments
Transfers in from Education Trust Fund
Interfund State Programs
Transfers In
Federal Funds
Taxes
Licenses, Permits and Fees
Fines, Forfeits and Court Settlements
Other Revenues
Total Receipts

Disbursements
Personnel Costs
Employee Benefits
Travel, In-State
Travel, Out-of-State
Repair and Maintenance
Rentals and Leases
Utilities and Communication
Professional Services
Supplies, Materials, and Operating Expenses
Transportation Equipment Operations
Grants and Benefits
Capital Outlay
Transportation Equipment Purchases
Other Equipment Purchases
Miscellaneous
Prior Year General Fund Reversion
Current Year General Fund Reversion
Prior Year Education Trust Fund Reversion
Total Disbursements

49,946,113.47
23,553,976.60
585,115.73
133,489.68
471,463.98
7,340,894.20
2,920,786.86
5,076,807.53
5,830,852.14
3,032,800.73
2,443,682.70
165,064.50
491,400.30
729,334.89
947,542.50
2,494.64

Excess (Deficiency) of Receipts Over Disbursements

Cash Balances at Beginning of Year
Cash Balances at End of Year

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

State of Alabama

40,874,561.00 $
430,000.00
2,051,565.23
33,693,831.58
16,450,997.45
1,310,479.58
36,737,067.67
802,444.60
20,090,500.78
152,441,447.89

2013-2014

681,668.00

561,917.00
8,828,661.58
2,800.00
5,740.00
10,080,786.58

1,609,422.49
499,620.07
75,251.58
33,742.73
4,328.53
22,758.55
57,223.53
83,400.41
695,455.06
92,725.30
6,343,901.35
35,406.00
414,595.67

103,671,820.45

35,654.43
6,756.00
2,365.45
10,012,607.15

48,769,627.44

68,179.43

643,782.52

575,603.09

49,413,409.96 $

643,782.52

Exhibit #1

This Page Intentionally Blank

Official
June 1, 2013 through September 30, 2015

Official
Mr. Spencer Collier

Address
Secretary

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

201 S. Union St., Suite 300
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 517-2800
www.alea.gov

Mr. Spencer Collier was appointed Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
effective April 5, 2013.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

State of Alabama

Exhibit #2

Commission Members and Official

Alabama Justice Information Commission
January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015

Commission Voting Members

Term Expires

Hon. Spencer Collier

Chairman

Indefinite

Hon. Roy Moore

Ex-Officio

2019

Hon. Luther Strange

Ex-Officio

2019

Hon. Rex McDowell

Ex-Officio

Indefinite

Hon. Cliff Walker

Ex-Officio

Indefinite

Hon. Jefferson S. Dunn

Ex-Officio

Indefinite

Hon. Kim Thomas

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Jim Byard

Ex-Officio

Indefinite

Hon. Scott Walls

Ex-Officio

2016

Hon. Huey Mack

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Tommie J. Reese

Ex-Officio

2016

Hon. Bradley C. Kendrick

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Scott Anderson

Ex-Officio

2016

Hon. Rob Brossard

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Mary Moore

Ex-Officio

2016

Hon. John R. Lockett

Ex-Officio

2016

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

State of Alabama

Exhibit #3

Commission Members and Official

Alabama Justice Information Commission
January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015

Commission Voting Members

Term Expires

Hon. Jimmy Woodroof

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Jimmy B. Pool

Ex-Officio

2016

Hon. Robert Minor

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Kay Ivey

Ex-Officio

2019

Hon. Mike Hubbard

Ex-Officio

2019

Hon. Ray Long

Ex-Officio

2016

Hon. Merderia Ludgood

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Sadie Britt

Ex-Officio

2016

Hon. Wally Burns

Ex-Officio

2015

Hon. Rich Hobson

Ex-Officio

Indefinite

Hon. Franklin Johnson

Member

Indefinite

Commission Advisory Members

Official
Mr. Maury Mitchell

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

State of Alabama

Address
Project Facilitator

ALEA Information Bureau

201 S. Union St., Suite 300
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 517-2410
www.alea.gov

Exhibit #3