As Investigative Auditors (IA) for the state of California, we work exclusively for the different Bureaus and Sections of the California Department of Justice. We are often involved in criminal cases, conducting forensic auditing and developing cases against suspected criminals. Through a public search online, you may view some of our work in protecting the citizens of California, which include money-laundering https://gardenavalleynews.org/normandie-casino-to-close-after-nearly-70-years/ deceptive fund raising https://www.thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/charities-get-cease-desist-california-ag-2/ and fraudulent billing to Medi-Cal https://cslea.com/2018/04/two-arrested-in-2-million-medi-cal-fraudulent-billing-scheme/ Although this might put us in harm's way we believe in the importance of protecting the citizens of California from criminal activity. The work of an Investigative Auditor is difficult, requiring egregious overnight travel for weeks on end in some sections as we must visit multiple locations in the performance of our work. We are away from our family and loved ones far too often, but we do it because we believe in the integrity of our work. Our work is not simply in the office but involves interviewing individuals, presenting information to other law enforcement agencies, testifying before courts, writing and executing search warrants, which many believe is exclusive to the realm of sworn officers, it is not, as we are only one of two non peace officers in the state given this responsibility https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=830.13.&highlight=true&keyword=investigative%20auditor and much more. More information can be found on the job statement link in this petition.

This high stress, demanding work has taken a toll on the department's ability to hire and retain personnel. Positions go unfilled as applicant's see no reason to take on the challenges of being an Investigative Auditor when auditor positions within the state with less demanding work, responsibilities and travel pay the same or more and at the same time allow them to go home every night to be with their loved ones. California Human Resources records would no doubt show IA positions being posted and receiving zero applicants, as we have seen the empty cubicles. Still other auditing positions like the civilian department Health Program Auditor for example, which requires no Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to issue search warrants, is not vetted through an average three month background, which includes criminal history, interviews with family and neighbors, finger print scans and more and whose duties and responsibilities are fewer as noted by comparing both job statements http://www.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/pages/4254.aspx for Health Program and http://www.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/Pages/4203.aspx for Investigative, are paid the exact same salary range. We have become the forgotten auditors.

When a direct comparison with Investigative Auditor civil servants at the County level is done, it shows an 18% pay disparity as noted on page 28 of the Los Angeles County pay scale website http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/lac/1043266_alpha.pdf . There, the Investigative Auditor cap is at $8,796.45 while at the state level the cap for Investigative Auditor IV, the highest non-supervisory position, is $7,435.00 as noted on page 52 of the state pay scale website http://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pay%20Scales%20Library/PS_Sec_15.pdf. More substantiation of significant pay disparity can be found by looking at Forensic Accountants, a more common title for IAs, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_accounting third sentence on link. Again, when compared to county governments, with a similar work/life balance, alternative schedules, leave benefits and retirement, the differences really stand out. Public Pay Scales for Forensic Accountant all cap well over six figures, Using CTRL F, Riverside county page 11 http://www.rc-hr.com/Portals/2/PeopleSoft%20Class%20%26%20Salary%202019%20Jul%2004.pdf Ventura county page 13 http://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/docs/classsalary.pdf Alameda county page 49 https://www.acgov.org/hrs/salary_ord/documents/HRI003D.PDF .

We are buoyed by recent developments where the California Department of Justice authorized special salary adjustment, mostly in excess of 5%, for multiple classifications https://cslea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-2023CSLEA-Tentative-Agreement-Summary-for-CSLEA-Members-VERSION-3pdf1-002.pdf as noted by the Tentative Agreement for Bargaining Unit seven. We work hand in hand with many of these other classifications and applaud their success, but better still, we believe this might be an indication of a cooperative DOJ who will be receptive of our plea. A significant special salary adjustment in excess of 8.5% will right many of the previous described burdens, it would be economic justice! But more importantly if will give us the tools to recruit and retain the employees we have to better serve the citizens of California, by making compensation more competitive with the market. This is a win for all parties. We, the Investigative Auditors of the California Department of Justice, have united across the state and graciously ask for support from our community, our friends, our fellow auditors and change.org supporters, as we take our appeal forward SEIU 1000 California as they begin their negotiations with the state and the DOJ on a new classification study.

We thank you for your support.

In solidarity,

Investigative Auditors of the California Department of Justice