DCIS FAQs

What does DCIS stand for?
Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

What is DCIS?
DCIS is civilian federal law enforcement agency with offices across the United States and overseas. DCIS Special Agents investigate federal crimes, carry firearms, make arrests, conduct undercover operations and searches, and use specialized investigative techniques.

What is DCIS’s mission?
To conduct highly relevant, objective, professional investigations of matters critical to DoD property, programs, and operations that provide for our national security with emphasis on life, safety, and readiness.

What are DCIS’s investigative priorities?

  • Procurement Fraud and Public Corruption
  • Product Substitution
  • Health Care Fraud
  • Illegal Transfer of Sensitive DoD Technology
  • Cyber Crime and Computer Network Intrusions

How many people work in DCIS?
DCIS is made up of approximately 340 Special Agents and more than 60 Support Staff.

How long has DCIS existed?
DCIS was created on April 28, 1982 when Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci formally established the Defense Criminal Investigative Service in the office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Review and Oversight (ATSD(R&O)).

Does DCIS only investigate military people?
DCIS has the legal authority to investigate military personnel, government and non-government civilians, foreign citizens, and U.S. and foreign companies alleged to have defrauded the Department of Defense or criminally impacted DoD programs or operations.

Where can I read about cases DCIS has been involved with?
You can read about DCIS cases in our Information Release catalog.

What organizations does DCIS partner with?
DCIS partners with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement as needed.  We frequently work with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, Army Criminal Investigations Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Air Force Office of Special Investigations.  Other Office of Inspector General partners including, Veterans Administration, Dept of Health and Human Services, and Dept of Justice.

How do I become a special agent?
The steps are located on our Become a DCIS Special Agent page.

What do I do if I witness fraud, waste and abuse impacting the DoD?
You can report fraud, waste and abuse through the DoD Hotline.

Where is my local DCIS office?
See where our field offices are located on our DCIS Maps page.