NCJ Number
161652
Date Published
1996
Length
220 pages
Annotation
This policy review for the Treasury Department was conducted following allegations of off-duty misconduct by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and other officers of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies at an annual retreat in Tennessee, known as the "Good O' Boys Roundup."
Abstract
The report focuses on existing departmental policy and recommendations for improvement regarding the investigation of such allegations and the prevention of such behavior in the event it occurs. Initial allegations focused on the display of racist signs, slogans, T-shirts, and paraphernalia at what was characterized as a "whites only" event. Later accusations included charges of rape, bestiality, sexual assault, sexual harassment, the possession and distribution of controlled substances, illegal gambling, public drunkenness, and lewd and disorderly conduct. Claims were made that the event had been organized by ATF agents acting on official time and with government resources. The Policy Review finds that the Treasury Department and the senior management of its law enforcement bureaus are committed to the impartial and professional enforcement of the laws, free from any form of bias based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Existing disciplinary rules, policies, and procedures permit the discipline of those whose conduct departs from this standard, provided the adverse effects of the misconduct on the job performance of the officer or coworkers or upon the agency mission can be established. Existing training programs communicate these values to new Federal law enforcement officers, as well as to other departmental personnel. Still, this report finds room for improvement. It offers recommendations that pertain to discipline, hiring, training, evaluation of managers and supervisors, and responsibility for the implementation of policy recommendations. One appendix contains the Citizens Review Panel members' evaluations of the Inspector General's investigation and the Office of Enforcement's Policy Review. Two other appendixes contain sample rules and regulations of other State and Federal law enforcement agencies and a bibliography of other materials pertinent to this subject.