NCJ Number
60416
Date Published
1978
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION'S (FBI'S) HANDLING OF ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER CONDUCT AGAINST ITS EMPLOYEES IS ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IS A RESPONSE OF THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE TO PART OF A REQUEST FOR AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE FBI'S INTERNAL REVIEW ACTIVITIES FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. THE FBI HAS IMPROVED ITS SYSTEM FOR HANDLING ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPRIETY AND MISCONDUCT BY CREATING AN OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKING IT CENTRALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING AND CONTROLLING INVESTIGATIONS OF MAJOR ALLEGATIONS. THE FBI HAS ALSO IMPROVED ITS COORDINATION WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND ITS MONITORING OF RELATED DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS. PLACING THESE FUNCTIONS IN ONE OFFICE WITHIN A DIVISION DIRECTLY REPORTING TO THE FBI DIRECTOR PROVIDES BETTER CONTROL OVER THE HANDLING OF ALLEGED IMPROPRIETIES AND MISCONDUCT. ALTHOUGH FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT OFFERED, OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR IMPROVING THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OVERSIGHT OF MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AND WORK DEFICIENCIES. OVERSIGHT COULD BE IMPROVED IF THE OFFICE PERIODICALLY ANALYZED THE NATURE OF ALLEGATIONS, WORK DEFICIENCIES, AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS TAKEN. THE OFFICE WOULD THEN BE BETTER PREPARED TO DETECT UNDESIRABLE TRENDS WHICH SHOW THE NEED FOR TRAINING, COUNSELING, OR OTHER NECESSARY ACTION. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAD NO MAJOR DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE MATERIAL PRESENTED OR THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED. (RCB)