Law Enforcement: DOJ Should Improve Training and Misconduct Guidelines for Nonfederal Task Force Officers

What GAO Found The Department of Justice (DOJ) routinely forms task forces to investigate national security issues and criminal activity, including various forms of trafficking, terrorist threats, and violent gang activity. Through these task forces, DOJ law enforcement agencies partner with thousands of nonfederal officers from state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies. Number and Types of Active Department of Justice Task Forces, as of April 2026 All four of the DOJ components GAO reviewed—the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Drug Enforcement A