Dallas interim inspector general warns of staffing gaps, seeks case management system and forensic tools

Interim Inspector General Baron Eliasson told the City of Dallas Ethics Advisory Commission on Oct. 29 that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is operating below its intended staffing level and is seeking a midyear budget adjustment to pay for a case management system and forensic tools.

Eliasson, who identified himself as serving as interim inspector general, said the office would have about 11 staff if fully filled and that it is currently “down three positions,” including investigator slots. He said investigators on staff are “doing great work” but the shortfall means each investigator is carrying a heavier caseload.

The OIG briefing came after the commission unanimously approved the minutes of its July 15 regular meeting. The approval motion was moved and seconded on the record and passed by unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: Eliasson said the shortage of staff and investigative tools hampers the office’s ability to oversee and, when needed, proactively detect irregularities in city operations. Without a case management system, he said, staff must rely on an incident-tracking system and ad-hoc spreadsheets, which makes it difficult to see where cases are in the investigative…