Inspector General’s Office handles complaints of all kinds

Published Sept. 14, 2007
By Kandis West
Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- "Who do you appeal to? If there is no place else to go, you come to see us," said Col. Paul Davidson, outgoing Installation Inspector General for Tinker.
   The Office of the Installation Inspector General welcomes complaints and issues of all kinds, recognizing that not every contact results in an 'Inspector General complaint' said Deputy Inspector General Bill King.
   He said in most cases people automatically know where to take their complaint, but when the option is not clear, many employees tend to just deal with the problem internally instead of seeking assistance.
   "My message to commanders and supervisors is, 'if their employee's mind is on a problem, it is not on their mission,'" Mr. King said.
   The IG accepts complaints about violations of policies or law, fraud, gross mismanagement, abusive authority, and particular and specific threats to public health and safety.
   Both the Installation IG and his deputy present the IG message to a variety of audiences monthly, including new commanders, newly assigned military and civilian employees, all newly appointed supervisors, as well as civilian personnel management courses and employee leadership and enhancement training.
   Mr. King also said the biggest misconception most people have about the IG is a notion that someone will get in trouble because of an IG complaint.
   "The Office of the IG has no authority to fix anything or get anyone in trouble," Col. Davidson said.
   When the IG receives a complaint, the first step is to determine if the IG is the proper office for handling the complaint; if they are, they perform additional analysis to decide the level of inquiry or investigation required to resolve the issue.
   Col. Davidson said most complaints are usually resolved during this stage.
   If the complaint is not resolved during the analysis stage, then an investigation may be conducted. If the investigation substantiates the complaint, the IG's role is to advise the commander or civilian leader so they can initiate corrective action.
   Mr. King affirms that complaints are good for business.
   "People have the right to complain, which is guaranteed in the law and reiterated in Air Force regulations," Mr. King said. "The system can't correct or improve itself if people that work and live here are afraid to exercise that right," he added.
   If an employee realizes resources are being wasted, a fraudulent practice is occurring, or someone just has difficulty communicating with a supervisor and as a result is not living up to their potential on the job, Mr. King reminds us the Air Force by far is made better when that person can recruit an unbiased but interested person to address their issues.
   "A wise mentor and friend reminded me when I started working in the IG Office ... We are the guarantors of the Air Force core values," Mr. King said.