The Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court Department of Inspector General was established by charter of the Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller in January 2015. The mission of the Department of Inspector General is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations by providing independent and objective investigative and audit services to the citizens of Okaloosa County.
The Department of Inspector General is led by an Inspector General appointed by the Clerk. The Department’s authority includes any operation under the direction of the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller or the Board of County Commissioners departments under the control of the County Administrator. It also includes other functions for which the BCC provides financial support.
The Department’s goal is to preserve public trust in government. The Department strives to achieve this goal by maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. The Department of Inspector General is accredited by the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an agency has met specific requirements and prescribed standards. Accredited agencies are required to be reassessed every three years. The Department of Inspector General was initially accredited in February 2017 and re-accredited in both February 2020 and February 2023.
The International Professional Practices Framework of the Institute of Internal Auditors requires an audit activity to receive an external assessment (peer review) at least every five years. The Department of Inspector General’s audit services function was last peer reviewed in April 2024.
Inspector General Initiatives
Investigative and Audit Services
The Department of Inspector General is committed to the prevention and detection of misuse of county resources as well as ensuring an effective system of internal controls. The Department strives to provide value added investigations and audits to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
Guardianship
When an individual is determined to be incapacitated, a Guardianship is often created. Okaloosa County currently has over 400 Guardianship cases. The Clerk of Courts’ responsibility to audit Guardianship case filings can be found in Chapter 744, Florida Statutes.
About the Inspector General
Shortly after taking office, Clerk Peacock, established the Department of Inspector General via charter in January of 2015. Clerk Peacock envisioned an accredited inspector general department staffed with highly qualified and dedicated staff.
Inspector General Renee Fennell Larkey was initially hired as an Inspector General Auditor/Investigator in March of 2019. Renee was promoted to Inspector General in April of 2024.
Education
Troy State University
Major: Master of Public Administration (Degree awarded: 1995)
University of West Florida
Major: Bachelor of Science in Management (Degree awarded: 1992)
Okaloosa-Walton Junior College
Major: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice (Degree awarded: 1986)
Professional Certifications
Certified Inspector General (CIG)
Association of Inspectors General (Certification No. 967)
Certified Inspector General Investigator (CIGI)
Association of Inspectors General (Certification No. 1348)
Certified Inspector General Auditor (CIGA)
Association of Inspectors General (Certification No. 712)
Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner (CICFE)
National White Collar Crime Center NW3C (Certification No. 4409)
Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI)
International Association of Crimes Investigators (Certification No. E10670)
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (Certification No. 1008288)
Report Fraud, Waste & Abuse
The Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller is committed to detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse of public resources. Our goal is to provide meaningful, independent and objective investigations and audits to the citizens of Okaloosa County.
Fraud is defined by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners as any intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money by guile, deception or other unfair means.
Waste refers to the unintentional, thoughtless or careless expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use or squandering of government resources to the detriment or potential detriment of the County or Clerk.
Abuse refers to intentional, wrongful or improper use or destruction of government resources, or seriously improper practice that does not involve prosecutable fraud.
To assist in these efforts, we have established several methods for individuals or employees to report potential fraud, waste or abuse. All complaints received by the Office of Inspector General will be evaluated in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Our office is accredited by the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) and is staffed with highly qualified investigators and auditors. Our office will conduct investigations in accordance with the professional standards established by the Association of Inspectors General and the CFA.
Please help us to detect and deter instances of fraud, waste and abuse.
We encourage you to report your suspicions via one of the four methods provided below.
Whistle-Blowers Act:
In accordance with Florida Statute, employees who report suspected wrongdoing or fraudulent activities are protected from retaliation by management or other employees. Persons reporting wrongdoing or fraudulent activities should provide sufficient details to facilitate an investigation.
Three Ways to Report:
- CALL: Call the fraud hotline: (850) 683-TIPS (8477). Please provide specific information, such as names, dates, locations, and other pertinent information. Follow the instructions on the recorded message and leave a detailed message. Remember we do not trace the tip line.
- MAIL: Mail information to:
Renee Fennell Larkey
Inspector General
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
101 East James Lee Blvd.
Crestview, FL 32536
- ONLINE: Report the information using the below link. Reporting is anonymous and is collected by an outside, third party.
Inspector General – Reports
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Renee Fennell Larkey, CIG, CIGI, CIGA, CFE, CECFE, CFCI
Inspector General
Clerk of Courts and Comptroller
101 East James Lee Blvd.
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 689-5000 ext. 3432
Email:[email protected]