Comptroller reveals that the Police Bureau did not withhold the 1.5% special contribution from contractors
The Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico (OCPR) issued a qualified opinion on the fiscal operations of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, attached to the Department of Public Safety of Puerto Rico (DSP). A qualified opinion is issued when the noncompliances, individually or together, are significant but not pervasive.
The Report reveals that the Police Bureau did not withhold from five contractors the 1.5% special contribution that by law must be deducted from providers with contracts exceeding $300 thousand. The contractor can be exonerated from the special contribution if it submits a sworn statement (Model SC-1350) as established by Act 48-2013 and Circular Letter 1300-07-21.
From the evaluation of a sample of 27 payment vouchers for $664,084, issued from 2022 to 2024, the Bureau did not withhold $1,394 equivalent to the 1.5% special contribution in 14 payment vouchers for $93,039 to five contractors that did not have the sworn statement. For the period audited from 2020 to 2024, the Bureau had granted a total of 856 contracts and amendments for $124 million.
This situation fails to fulfill the purpose of raising funds to alleviate the fiscal crisis and address the Government's operational expenses.
The audit comments that the Police Bureau had, as of February 29, 2024, 390 lawsuits with claims of up to $557 million pending resolution. Most of the cases are for damages, violation of civil rights and discrimination. The largest amount corresponds to a lawsuit for the fabrication of charges and illegal detention for $100 million.
In addition, the Bureau had not submitted, as of October 30, 2024, the Annual Certification required by law of the Position Registry for fiscal years 2021, 2022 and 2023. This registry, administered by the OCPR, contains the information on the monthly changes that occur with the positions in all agencies and public corporations of the Executive Branch.
The Bureau's budget from 2020 to 2024 amounted to $3,709 million, and made disbursements of $3,193 million.
This first report covers the period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024.
The Audit Report OC-25-73 can be obtained on our website: www.ocpr.gov.pr
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