The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is the criminal investigative arm of the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense. DCIS protects military personnel by investigating cases of fraud, bribery, and corruption; preventing the illegal transfer of sensitive defense technologies to proscribed nations and criminal elements; investigating companies that use defective, substandard, or counterfeit parts in weapon systems and equipment utilized by the military; and stopping cyber crimes and computer intrusions. Background On April 20, 1981, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger established DCIS as a worldwide civilian Federal law enforcement agency that investigates suspected criminal activities involving DoD Components and DoD contractors. When DCIS was created, the criminal investigative functions previously assigned to the Defense Investigative Service were transferred, along with 100 personnel billets, to the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Review and Oversight). In October 1981, an initial cadre of 12 individuals of the DIS Special Investigations Unit began operating as DCIS special agents under the direction, authority, and control of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Review and Oversight). DCIS was incorporated within the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General when it was established in 1982. In 1997, DCIS became one of the first OIG investigative components to be granted permanent statutory law enforcement authorities comparable to the those possessed by the FBI. Upon passage of Public Law 105–85 (see Div. A, title X, § 1071(a)), DCIS special agents were granted the ability to carry concealed firearms, make arrests with or without a warrant, and execute search warrants. Responsibilities It is the obligation of the DoD Inspector General to "initiate, conduct, and supervise such...investigations in the Department of Defense (including the military departments) as the Inspector General considers appropriate" (IG Act Sec. 8(c)(2)) and to "provide leadership and coordination and recommend policies for activities...to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in...[DoD] programs and operations (IG Act Sec. 2(2))." Priorities DCIS' current investigative priorities include: Significant fraud and corruption impacting crucial DoD operations, with particular emphasis upon schemes impacting the health, safety, welfare, or mission‐readiness of U.S. troops. Significant procurement and acquisition fraud and other financial crimes which result in multi‐million dollars losses, thus depriving DoD of critically‐needed funds that would otherwise be utilized to finance vital national defense initiatives. Defective, substituted, counterfeit, or substandard products introduced into the DoD acquisition system, with particular emphasis upon allegations involving troop safety and/or mission‐readiness. Illegal