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Inspector General settles complaints, attacks fraud

  • Published
  • By Mike W. Ray
  • TINKER PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Resolving complaints, ensuring compliance with official Air Force instructions and policies, and stopping fraud, waste and abuse at Tinker Air Force Base, are key responsibilities of the Inspector General, Lt. Col. Aaron Troxell.

Successful complaint resolution is intended to enhance an organization's discipline, readiness and mission capabilities, the colonel said. "Someone who is aware of wrongdoing is distracted and probably will not be as productive until the issue has been resolved," he said.

The IG's office does not address certain issues for which official channels of redress already exist. "However, we will assist or refer complainants to the appropriate person or agency." Objectives of the IG's office are to serve as "an independent and honest broker" to resolve complaints, and to "encourage the appropriate resolution approach to corrected the reported wrong."

Many of the complaints the Tinker AFB IG office receives are concerned with civilian personnel practices and policies in the workplace. The Inspector General's office is not the office to resolve these issues but can serve as an intermediary in such matters. "Supervisors and commanders are responsible for the work environment," Colonel Troxell said.

The Inspector General's office is concerned primarily with the reporting of individuals who knowingly fail to follow Air Force Instructions and policies or are abusing their position of authority. Individuals contacting the IG should be able to provide dates of incidents and some form of proof of the noncompliance to support their complaint of wrongdoing.

Courts-martial are prosecuted by the legal staff in the Judge Advocate General's office. If the problem is a criminal matter, the complainant should contact the 72nd Security Forces Squadron (734-2000) or the Office of Special Investigations (734-7822), the colonel said. Sexual abuse should be reported to Sexual Abuse Response Coordinator Michelle Laughlin (734-9293).

A complaint about wrongdoing -- not complying with Air Force instructions or policies -- should be addressed to one's supervisor or chain of command first. "However, if they're not comfortable doing that, or if the supervisor is the problem and refuses to comply, report that to the IG's office," Colonel Troxell advised.

Many people are reluctant to be 'whistle-blowers' "because they think something negative will happen to them," the colonel said. "We try to assure them that will not occur." If an adverse action arises from reporting wrongdoing, "That's an issue for the IG to resolve." Everyone at Tinker has a right to consult the IG, Colonel Troxell emphasized. "No one can permissibly be restricted from talking to the Inspector General."

The IG office also concentrates on detecting and eliminating fraud, waste and abuse. FWA costs American taxpayers millions of dollars, reduces combat capability, and detracts from the professional image of U.S. armed forces, the colonel notes. "If you see it, call our hotline" at 739-3922.

Colonel Troxell is the Inspector General for Tinker AFB, including the 72nd Air Base Wing, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, the 3rd Herd, and any units that are not served by another IG office.

The 552nd Air Control Wing has its own IG: Lt. Col. Preston Kise (734-7522); the 507th Air Refueling Wing has an IG office (734-6347); and the Navy's Strategic Communication Wing ONE has a Staff Judge Advocate (739-3379).

If you are not certain where to go to register a complaint, Colonel Troxell said, "Contact us and we'll help steer you to the right place." The Tinker IG office is in Bldg. 3001, Suite 1AF75A, telephone 739-2051.

The colonel is assisted in his duties by former Tinker IG Rick Buschelman, who has more than eight years of experience working in the office.

Colonel Troxell previously was Tinker's Chief of Safety for two and one-half years. At the request of Col. Bob Labrutta, the former 72nd ABW commander, Colonel Troxell agreed to become Inspector General in February after the previous IG retired. The colonel, a native of Owasso, was graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1991 and has served in the Air Force for 21 years.