Federal Bureau of Investigation's Conduct of Internal Inquiries Concerning Allegations of Improper Conduct by FBI Employees

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has improved its system for handling allegations of impropriety and misconduct by its employees by creating the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). OPR responsibilities are to oversee and control investigations of major allegations, coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ), and monitor related disciplinary actions. However, detailed written criteria for categorizing major and minor allegations and written procedures for assigning or conducting inquiries do not exist, nor has the DOJ developed criteria governing which inquiries it should handle itself. Such criteria are important to assure that allegations are handled fairly, promptly, and uniformly and to prevent possible abuse. Better statistical information on the number and types of major and minor allegations and the related disciplinary actions would give both the FBI and DOJ-level OPR's a better basis for monitoring and controlling internal inquiries.