2015-130 AUDIT SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES
CalGang Program

The audit by the California State Auditor will provide independently developed and verified
information related to the CalGang Program database (CalGang) and the implementation of Senate
Bill (SB) 458 (Chapter 797, Statutes of 2013), and will include, but not be limited to, the following:
1.

Review and evaluate the laws, rules, and regulations significant to the audit objectives.

2.

Identify the number of gang database systems that exist in California and the extent to which
they are being used by those agencies.

3.

Identify and evaluate the roles and responsibilities of the California Department of Justice, the
Gang Node Advisory Committee, the CalGang Executive Board, and any other agencies
involved in the management and oversight of CalGang, including the level of training provided
to program administrators and operators to implement the CalGang program and ensure it
complies with the law.

4.

Assess whether and to what extent access to and the release of data in the CalGang system is
tracked and monitored to ensure all applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures
are consistently followed. To the extent possible determine for the latest year such
information is available, the following:
(a) The number of requests for information and the purpose for each request.
(b) The number of juveniles added to the system since January 1, 2014, and the number of
related notifications made in accordance with SB 458.
(c)

5.

The length of time each individual has been in the CalGang system.

For the most recent five years that data is available and to the extent possible, determine the
following:
(a) The number of people added and removed from the CalGang system by year and
whether they were notified of such action.
(b) Demographics of individuals in the CalGang system, including age, gender, race, ethnicity,
and geographic location.
(c)

Number of requests for removal from the CalGang system received and the outcome of
each.

(d) Number of juvenile appeals for removal received and the outcome of each.
(e) The criteria used for adding each individual to the system during this period.
6.

Determine whether individuals are removed from the CalGang database consistent with any
guidelines established in law, regulations, and policies.

California State Auditor’s Office
8/21/2015

 2015-130 AUDIT SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES, continued

7.

Review and assess any evaluations of CalGang that have been conducted to determine its
effectiveness in achieving its intended purpose.

8.

Determine the annual cost of CalGang, and identify the major categories of expenditure.

9.

Determine whether policies and procedures exist to prevent, detect, and address possible
conflicts of interest specific to contracting and spending related to the administration of
CalGang.

10.

At a selection of law enforcement agencies, evaluate law enforcement’s compliance with
relevant laws and policies governing gang database systems.

11.

At a selection of local law enforcement agencies and for the most recent five years, identify
the criteria being used to designate a person as a gang member for inclusion in CalGang, and
determine if the criteria align with the intended purpose of CalGang and with the definition of
“gang” or “gang member” codified in Section 186.22 of the California Penal Code. To the
extent possible, determine how frequently each criterion has been used to identify someone
as a gang member.

12.

Determine how those with oversight responsibility ensure the following:
(a) The CalGang system operates in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and
policies and procedures.
(b) The information included in the CalGang system is current, accurate, and reliable.

13.

Survey local law enforcement agencies, and visit selected local law enforcement agencies, to
determine:
(a) Whether the law enforcement employees that use CalGang are adequately trained to
implement the program and ensure full compliance with the law.
(b) Whether the policies and procedures local law enforcement agencies have put in place
are adequate for ensuring compliance with SB 458 and other applicable laws.
(c)

How many requests for removal from CalGang have been submitted over the past five
years, and the outcomes of these requests.

(d) How many juvenile appeals have been made since the approval of SB 458, and how many
names have been removed through this appeal process.
14.

To the extent possible, evaluate the accuracy and completeness of the CalGang data, as well
as the types of documentation maintained to support information entered into CalGang.

15.

Review and assess any other issues that are significant to the audit.

California State Auditor’s Office
8/21/2015