Security Investigations: State Department Employee Investigation Practices Can Be Improved
NSIAD-89-21
Published: Nov 07, 1988. Publicly Released: Nov 09, 1988.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of State's procedures for conducting security investigations of its foreign service and civilian personnel.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should develop investigative mechanisms to ensure timely completion of all required elements of a security review to meet State's established goals. |
Closed – Implemented
State added six positions in the Personnel Investigations and Evaluation Divisions to help handle investigative work load.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should establish and vigorously implement a plan for eliminating the backlog of reinvestigations and bring the Department of State into compliance with federal regulations. |
Closed – Implemented
State raised the priority of reinvestigations and estimated that 2,000 reinvestigations would be completed in 1989. State developed a plan to eliminate the entire reinvestigation backlog by 1992.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should set up a system for routinely identifying employees who need to be reinvestigated. |
Closed – Implemented
State is developing the recommended automated system and data is being gathered for its implementation.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should enforce regulations requiring employees to complete and submit security questionnaires as part of the reinvestigative process. |
Closed – Implemented
State is advising its employees that security clearances will be temporarily suspended if the appropriate security forms are not received by the due date.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should ensure that adequate resources are devoted to completing the reinvestigative functions required by federal regulations before expending such resources on suitability reviews. |
Closed – Implemented
State added positions, increased the number of reinvestigations, and developed a plan to eliminate the backlog of reinvestigations.
|
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Topics
Americans employed abroadFederal employeesNoncompliancePerformance appraisalPersonnel recruitingSecurity clearancesSecurity investigationsBackground investigationsNational securityCivil service