JACKSON- Darrell Chance, a Senior Special Agent with the State Auditor’s Office, received the agency’s “Top Cop” award today at the Mississippi Trade Mart.

Chance is a 34 year veteran of OSA’s Investigative Division, and has led the agency’s Katrina Fraud Prevention and Detection Unit since its inception in the spring of 2006.

“Under Darrell’s leadership, the Katrina Fraud and Prevention Unit has investigated over 1,600 complaints resulting in 94 federal and state indictments and the recovery of hundreds of thousands of dollars that were embezzled, misspent or misappropriated,” Auditor Pickering said. “For more than three decades Darrell has worked with honor and integrity to help protect the taxpayers of Mississippi.”

The Top Cop program recognizes top law enforcement professionals in Mississippi. The annual awards program is sponsored by the Mississippi Center for Police and Sheriffs. Awards are given to officers representing state and metro area law enforcement agencies. Chance was recognized on Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and during Police Week, a time when the country honors brave public servants who fight crime, violence and terrorism.

Chance, who lives in Hattiesburg, received his Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi and completed the Southern Regional Safety Institute in 2000. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Government Auditing Professional, and a Certified Public Manager.

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