Final answer:
As an Officer in Charge (OIC), you would oversee investigations, ensure policy compliance, and act as the point of contact for escalations within the Office of Criminal Investigations. The OCI agents handle serious crimes, often in collaboration with other federal agencies, and focus more on criminal actions than technical aspects of regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you find yourself appointed as the Officer in Charge (OIC) in the absence of a detective, your immediate steps would be to continue the oversight of ongoing investigations, ensure that all procedures and policies are being followed, and act as the primary point of contact for any escalations that may arise. As an OIC, your role would involve a mix of administrative duties and ensuring that the mission of the Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) is carried out effectively.
The OCI, with about 200 agents across the country, was founded with the primary task of investigating criminal cases, often involving complex crimes such as fraud and corruption. These agents are distinct from ORA Investigators in that they carry firearms and do not primarily handle the technical aspects of regulated industries.
OCI Special Agents draw on their experience from other criminal investigation backgrounds and collaborate closely with organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Assistant Attorney General, and Interpol. It's crucial to maintain these partnerships and to work with ORA Investigators who provide the needed technical and science-based knowledge for cases. As an acting OIC, you would oversee case development, manage resources, and possibly make critical decisions on the pursuit of criminal actions, ensuring justice and regulatory compliance are upheld.