This document is a memo from the Director of the FBI providing guidelines on the disciplinary process within the FBI. He expresses his hope to draw a "bright line" is order to keep all employees aware of his expectations and sets out his vision for the FBI.
-PERSONAL ATTENTION
. .
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ALI INFOPEATIL; 'CONTAINED
1 . 4 7!,T IS UNCLASSIFIEL
DATE 1 12-07-2009 BY , 65179 DFJii
TRANSMIT VIA: AIRTEL
'CLASSIFICATION • DATE: 1/3/94
FROM: Director, FTI,
All SACS • ,
All LEGATs • - '
.RCA, Northeast Regional Computer Support Cente -rINER...4Ci'a-
Western Regional Computer Support*Center
. . . El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) • • • • 1 • • • - . 7 • 21` Butte Information Technology Center (BITC)::-:-: .''- uj7,f-f*4,--rt
‘. Savannah Information Technology Center (SITC)ic&i
clarkshurcr 'satellite -Facility : -
' .
•;t';'STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.
ISCIPLINARY MATTERS
• •
• • : Since becoming Director in September, I have examined5
4:the:various administrative and operational processes.of,:thee •
•-. •
..-
Bureau,-alwaysyith . aneye towards improvement .' Prom thegaF„.3W47
have focused my attention -ohour-di6"6-iplinary:WWi
process I have determined that while the quality :of the •
adjudication has been of a high order, lack of timeliness has
sapped the process of credibility and, to an extent, .fairness.
have recently approved the delegation of significant additional , : -
authoritieS to SACs and Assistant Directors which should
substantially solve thig problem.
FB1024187CBT
OIG-REQ 02118/05-PART 11
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FB1000005.4
to All cars Pt. al.., from Director, .FBI
Re: Standards of•Conduct!
Disciplinary Matters
Secondly, , I have' determined that We have been too
tolerant of certain types of behavior which are fundamentally ,
inconsistent with continued FBI employment. I am, - therefore, in
this communication, drawing. a "bright line" which should serve to
put all employees on notice of my expectatiOns In doing so, I
would *like to snare with-you some of my vision of the FBI.
I believe that
•. The FBI is the finest investigative agency •
in the world' and that, as such, we must
continually strive to be a positive' force in
societal evolUtion:
-4 how we are perceived'by the .citizenry. and
how we view ourselves collectively are
crucial to our continued success;
• In order to assure our' being held in high'
esteem, we must acknowledge, uphold, Indeed
revere, core values, such as integrity,
rel-iability, and trustworthiness;: and-
• An employee who is unable to. identify with
these values and whose consequent conduct is
fundamentally at odds with them should.'
forfeit his or her right to FBI-employment.
In short, I believe in the simple truth that lying,
cheating; or stealing is wholly inconsistent with everything the
FBI stands for'and cannot'be'tolerated. While I believe the
promulgation of an elaborate table of offenses and penalties'is
generally not a good idea, I do' wish to give some specificity to
this message. With that in mind, I am setting forth the
following examples of behavior, not meant to be all-inclusive,
for which employees can expect to be dismissed: •
Lying under oath, e.g., during an administrative
inquiry; •
Failure to cooperate during an administrative
inquiry when required to do'so by law:or internal
regulation;
•
Voucher fraud;
2
FBIO24188CBT
OIG-REQ 02/18/05-PART 11
005JOIG012064
FBI.000005
Airtel to All SACs, et. al. c .from FFT
Re: Standards, of Conduct
'Disciplinary Matters
Theft or other unauthorized taking,. using or
• diversion.of Government funds or property;
Material falsification of investigative activity
ATtAlrel..
.palsification of documentation relating to the
-. disbursement/expenditure of Government funds (cas•
funds, imprest funds, etc.); and
Unauthorized disclosure of classified, sensitive,
. Grand Jury or Title.= information.'
I am also directing that increased levels of discipline
' be - imposed for lesser, but comparable, incidents of misconduct.
By way'of illusrration, bearing false witness to an informant
' payment has typically been addressed by a letter of censure.
Henceforth, Such misconduct will result in an appropriate period
of suspension, and multiple infractions surfaced during an
inquiry will result in either an extended period of suspension or
dismissal. Tnese new standards will govern the adjudication of
all conduct which occurs
after • January 1994... In the .
interests of r"airnessi
standards will, not' be applied
retroactively. Because the new standards will punish violations
of our 'internal rules and regulations more. severely, I urge
everyone to suggest any appropriate revisions'to applicable
regulations which threaten to needlessly, ensnare our employees..
While at first impression the 'standards I am, setting
may appear stringent, it is my belief that they are both
necessary and aiouropriate. SACs and Division Heads must ensure , .
all employees are clearly advised of my expectations. I am
directing that a copy of this conmunication be made available to
every employee and- that the contents be the topic of discussion
at conferences . and meeting's.' Every employee must be placed on
actual notice that trespassing the bright line articulated in
this airtel will result in. dismissal.
I am convinced that the imposition of these more
stringent standards of self-discipline will result in enhancing
the reputation, integrity, and independence of this extraordinary
organization.. I call upon all FBI employees to assist me in this
important endeavor. •
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FBIO24189CBT
. OIG-REQ 02/18/05-PART 11 FB10000056
DOJOIG012065 •