STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO A LETTER ISSUED BY
SENATOR CHARLES E. GRASSLEY ON
FEBRUARY 18, 2004,
REGARDING THE FBI DISCIPLINARY PROCESS
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - The following statement was issued by Assistant Director Cassandra Chandler
in response to Senator Charles E. Grassley's letter of February 18, 2004, to Director
Robert S. Mueller, III, regarding the FBI's internal study of the Bureau's disciplinary
process.
"Senator
Grassley issued a letter earlier today taking issue with the FBI's internal disciplinary
process on a number of fronts. It is important that the American public understand
that the Bureau has gone to great lengths to improve its internal disciplinary
process and bolster confidence in its effectiveness and impartiality.
"First,
under Director Mueller, all allegations of misconduct within the FBI are referred
to the Office of Inspector General to ensure that such allegations receive external
review.
"Second,
the Director commissioned a study by former Attorney General Griffin Bell and
former FBI Associate Director Dr. Lee Colwell to review the Office of Professional
Responsibility (OPR). This study includes the review of voluminous documentation
and statistical data regarding matters referred to the OPR. This study will result
in recommendations for changes to the disciplinary process. Once the report has
been completed and reviewed, the Director will undertake the reforms needed to
implement their recommendations. Senator Grassley has had a long-standing interest
in the Bureau's internal disciplinary process and the FBI has kept him and his
staff apprised throughout the Commission's review and has invited their input
at every stage. The FBI will provide Senator Grassley a copy of the Commission's
final report and fully brief him and his staff.
"Third,
the Director has communicated clearly and frequently to all employees that the
Bureau takes seriously its commitment to holding its employees to the highest
standards of conduct and integrity; that internal discipline must be imposed impartially
and without regard to rank; and, that whistleblowers and all others who raise
legitimate complaints of misconduct within the Bureau will be protected from retaliation.
"In response
to these measures, Senator Grassley wrote in a personal letter to Director Mueller,
dated May 28, 2003, 'I applaud your decision to appoint an outside review panel
to examine the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Office of Professional Responsibility
(OPR). I appreciate that you recognize the significant challenges facing OPR and
the reform it needs.' Senator Grassley again commended the Director in a public
hearing on July 23, 2003.
"Today's
letter from Senator Grassley raises concerns about a report from the year 2000
that examined anecdotal evidence relating to a number of employees who had been
dismissed, resigned or retired while under investigation due to substantiated
acts of criminal and serious misconduct during the time period of 1986 to 1999.
This well intentioned study was used to identify and examine behavioral and ethical
trends of FBI agents removed from duty. A copy of the report was provided to Senator
Grassley in July, 2003.
"Director
Mueller is committed to undertaking the reforms necessary to strengthen the disciplinary
process within the FBI and ensure that it is fair, efficient and credible. Any
allegation of wrongdoing or impropriety by FBI employees is taken seriously and
aggressively investigated. Nothing better ensures this standard than a fair and
equitable disciplinary process that applies equally to all employees."