Internal Affairs Investigations: Customs Service Needs to Better Manage the Investigation Process
GGD-89-43
Published: Feb 28, 1989. Publicly Released: Mar 28, 1989.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Customs Service Office of Internal Affairs' policies and procedures for handling allegations of employee impropriety and employee background investigations.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Treasury | The Secretary of the Treasury should direct the Commissioner of Customs to require documentation acknowledging the receipt and disposition of all allegations of impropriety received by Internal Affairs. |
Closed – Implemented
According to Treasury's 31 U.S.C. 720 response, the Assistant Commissioner for Internal Affairs issued instructions requiring such documentation.
|
| TREAS Office of the Inspector General | The Department of the Treasury's Inspector General should better ensure that Internal Affairs prepares and maintains required documentation in case files. |
Closed – Implemented
Customs' Assistant Commissioner for Internal Affairs issued instructions requiring such documentation. Treasury's OIG completed an audit in August 1991 which includes recommendations on how Customs should improve documentation in case files.
|
| TREAS Office of the Inspector General | The Department of the Treasury's Inspector General should better ensure that Internal Affairs refers immediately all allegations of impropriety concerning senior-level officials to Treasury's OIG. |
Closed – Implemented
Customs' Assistant Commissioner for Internal Affairs reiterated existing instructions. Treasury's OIG plans to monitor Customs' actions once its Office of Quality Assurance is fully operational. Treasury's OIG audit of Customs' Office of Internal Affairs was completed in August 1991. No problems were found regarding how Customs refers allegations of impropriety to OIG.
|
| TREAS Office of the Inspector General | The Department of the Treasury's Inspector General should better ensure that Internal Affairs makes background investigations as required by the Office of Personnel Management. |
Closed – Implemented
Treasury's OIG addressed background investigations as part of its audit done in August 1991. The OIG Office of Quality Assurance, which is operational, will also monitor Customs' background investigation program.
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Topics
Ethical conductHiring policiesInspectors generalInvestigations by federal agenciesMalfeasancePersonnel managementPublic officialsRecordsBackground investigationsCriminal investigations