MISSION STATEMENT

 The purpose of the Civil Air Patrol Inspector General System is, in part, to create an independent and objective system that:

1. Resolves problems affecting the Civil Air Patrol mission promptly and objectively.
2. Creates an atmosphere of trust in which issues can be objectively and fully resolved without retaliation or the fear of reprisal.           
3. Ensures the existence of responsive complaint and inspection programs characterized by objectivity, integrity, and impartiality.
4. Ensures the concerns of Civil Air Patrol members and the best interests of the Civil Air Patrol are addressed through objective fact-finding.
5. Educates Civil Air Patrol members and commanders regarding the privileges of and protection for those contacting an inspector general.
6. Ensures inspectors general, inspector general staff members, and investigating officers are trained to conduct thorough, unbiased investigations and inspections based on fair and objective fact-finding.

Specific, detailed guidance on the CAP IG program may be found in CAPR 123-1

 

Pacific Region Inspector General Organization

Deputy Pacific Region Inspector General (PCR/IGD) - Lt Colonel Jack E Spear, CAP

Assistant Pacific Region Inspector General (PCR/IGA) - Lt Colonel Eugene D Melvin, CAP

Pacific Region Inspector General Legal Advisor (PCR/IGJ) - Lt Colonel Sylvia L Paoli, CAP

Civil Air Patrol Complaints Program

The Civil Air Patrol Complaints Program is intended to create an environment where complaints, grievances and misunderstandings can be resolved.  The Complaint System is a last resort management tool.  Every effort should be made to satisfy complaints and grievances at the supervisory or command level where they occur.  While the opportunity always exists to elevate issues to the IG and even to Congressional levels, CAP personnel should be aware that allegations are investigated at the level where they occurred.  The same person who could or should have originally answered the complaint is usually tasked to do so from a higher level.

In other words, if a squadron member has a complaint or grievance or suspects a fraud, waste or abuse problem exists, he/she should bring it to the attention of the unit commander.  If the problem directly involves the commander, then take it to the next higher commander (i.e. group commander).  The first person to contact is NOT the IG, a member of congress, the governor or the CAP National Commander.  Quite often the perceived problem is just a misunderstanding and can be easily corrected or explained.

Allow some time once you have contacted the commander.  The commander may only devote two or three evenings per week to the CAP.  Remember, he/she is a volunteer too and has many other obligations outside of CAP.  If it appears nothing is being done after a reasonable period of time, you may want exercise your rights and responsibilities under the complaints system.

There are exceptions to this:

·       Allegations of sexual harassment or abuse, verbal or written, will be immediately reported by the unit commander to the wing or region commander, who in turn will immediately report it to NHQ CAP/GC.

·       Incidents and complaints regarding alleged discrimination or discriminatory practices will be reported promptly to the wing or region commander, who shall immediately report the incident to CAP Equal Opportunity Officer at NHQ (CAP/EXI).

·       In incidents or complaints regarding an alleged hostile environment, unit commanders will immediately report the allegation to the wing commander, region commander, or inspector general.

Once you have decided to contact the IG, you should determine if your concern or grievance meets the definition of a complaint.

Complaint means a written document listing facts and circumstances specifically alleging a violation of a CAP directive, a violation of law, or misconduct.

 

If it does, you should follow the steps for “Complaints Submission” outlined in CAPR 123-2.

Briefly these steps are:

·       All complaints must be in writing, dated and signed by the complainant.

o            E-mail and voice (telephone) complaints require a written follow up, with a signature, submitted (postmarked or hand delivered) within 8 days.

o            Complaints must be accompanied by all available documentation in the possession or control of the complainant.

·       Complaints shall be submitted to the commander or inspector general of the unit to which the complainant is assigned.

o            Should the complaint be against a commander or inspector general, the complaint shall be filed with the commander or inspector general at the next higher organization level.

o            Complaints against senior level CAP officials (sitting wing and region commanders and other national officers) shall be submitted directly to the CAP Inspector General.

 

Fraud, Waste and/or Abuse

Fraud, Waste and/or Abuse (FWA) are a drain on the time, effort and resources of the Civil Air Patrol and all of its members.  Fraud, waste or abuse can occur through an unintentional act or can occur by deliberate action.  Regardless of the intent, fraud, waste and/or abuse CANNOT be tolerated.  The definitions for Fraud, Waste and Abuse are listed below.

Abuse is the intentional, wrongful, or improper use of CAP resources such as the misuse of rank, position, or authority that causes the loss or misuse of resources such as tools, vehicles, computers, copy machines, etc.

Fraud is any intentional deception (including attempts and conspiracies to effect such deception) for the purpose of: inducing CAP action, inaction or reliance on that deception; depriving CAP of something of value; securing from CAP a benefit, privilege, or consideration to which the party is not entitled.  Such practices include, but are not limited to: offer of payment, acceptance of bribes or gratuities; making false statements, submission of false claims, use of false weights or measures, evasion or corruption of inspectors and other officials, deceit by suppression of the truth or misrepresentation of a material fact, adulteration or substitution of materials, falsification of records and books of account, arrangements for secret profits, kickbacks, or commissions, and conspiracy to use any of these devices.

Waste is the extravagant, careless, or needless expenditure of CAP funds or consumption of CAP property that results from deficient practices, system controls, or decisions.

FWA stands for Fraud, Waste and/or Abuse and may refer to issues of fraud, of waste, or of abuse or any combination of the three.

CAP members have a responsibility to report Fraud, Waste and Abuse violations (FWA), including abuse of authority to an appropriate commander or IG.

If you believe you know of a potential FWA situation within the Civil Air Patrol, you should contact your group or wing Inspector General or you may use the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline.

When using the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline, please leave your name, phone number and/or e-mail address, and a short description of the potential FWA situation which you are concerned about.  You will be contacted within 3 working days.

FWA HOTLINE E-Mail....................................................... fwa@capnhq.gov

FWA HOTLINE Telephone................................................ (877) 227-9142 select option #1