The Implementation of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

Audit Report 06-13
March 2006
Office of the Inspector General

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION What Is Electronic Surveillance? Changing Technology Challenges Law Enforcement The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act Controversy Over Technologies Covered by CALEA FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS I. CALEA IMPLEMENTATION COSTS AND PROGRESS CALEA Implementation Costs Estimates of CALEA-Compliance Progress Conclusion II. IMPEDIMENTS TO IMPLEMENTING CALEA Developing Technical Standards Carrier Extensions and Enforcement Orders for Non-Compliance Activation Negotiations on Pre-1995 Equipment Conclusion Recommendation III. EFFECTS OF DELAYED CALEA IMPLEMENTATION Methodology for Measuring CALEA’s Impact Benefits of CALEA Mitigating Factors FBI’s Plans for Remaining CALEA Funding Conclusion Recommendations IV. ISSUES REQUIRING RESOLUTION Costs Incurred by Carriers Costs Incurred by Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Assistance Concerns Conclusion Recommendations STATEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROLS STATEMENT ON COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS SCHEDULE OF DOLLAR-RELATED FINDINGS APPENDICES: OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, AND METHODOLOGY DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGY-BASED PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT CALEA LEGAL PROVISIONS FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ACTIONS RELATED TO CALEA PRIOR OIG REPORTS UNSUCCESSFUL PROPOSED CALEA AMENDMENTS SUMMARY OF COMMENTS TO THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING FBI AD HOC SOLUTIONS CALEA PUNCHLIST ITEMS OIG SURVEY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT FBI RESPONSE TO THE DRAFT AUDIT REPORT OIG ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY OF ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CLOSE REPORT

* THE FULL VERSION OF THIS REPORT INCLUDED INFORMATION THAT THE FBI CONSIDERED TO BE LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE. TO CREATE THIS PUBLIC VERSION OF THE REPORT, THE OIG REDACTED (DELETED) THE SENSITIVE PORTIONS AND NOTED THAT THE INFORMATION DELETED IS LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE.