Inspector General office helps with conflict resolution

The 27th Special Operations Wing Inspector General Office performs many duties at Cannon Air Force Base, though they are perhaps most well known for is their conflict resolution program.

"When someone comes in and makes a complaint, we do what's called an intake," said Maj. Mark Weger, 27 SOW/IG director of complaints. "This is where we get the information: What is their complaint? Who or what process are they having problems with? What are they trying to get resolved?"

After the initial intake, the IG office has roughly 20 days to determine a plan of action. During this time they may talk to people involved, functional managers and pull from regulations to decide how the complaint should be handled.

IG has five resolution paths:

• Assist: When the problem is outside of IGs purview they will put the complainant in contact with the person or agency that solves that particular problem. The four areas in which IG would handle a situation are if they involve restriction, reprisal, improper mental health referrals, or fraud, waste and abuse.
• Referral: A referral happens when there is alleged wrong-doing and the IG is not the appropriate resolution agency for the complaint. "We would refer it to another agency because they actually need to conduct an investigation or do a more thorough review of the situation," said Weger. "Then that agency would owe us a resolution or answer back."
• Transfer: A complaint is transferred when it is determined that the issue is appropriate for IG action, but that another IG office other than the one receiving the complaint should handle it.
• Investigate: "Roughly one percent of all complaints that come in result in an investigation," said Weger. "The big reason for that is because most issues can be resolved before reaching that point by getting the affected parties talking to figure out a solution to the problem."
• Dismiss: "We can dismiss a complaint if it doesn't have any violations of Air Force Instruction or regulations," said Weger. "Dismissal happens at the discretion of the IG office and this occurs rarely."

"We like to make it clear that just because IG is looking into something doesn't mean a formal investigation is taking place," said Weger.

Airmen are encouraged to talk to their chain of command to resolve the problem at the lowest level. Often supervisory channels can resolve complaints quickly and efficiently. However, if the airman is uncomfortable talking to their command it is not required before going to IG to list a complaint.

Many airmen go to IG because they don't know where else to go to solve their problem. The IG can help address their concerns, determine the correct path, give information on appeal rights and provide other grievance channels.

The IG falls under the base commander and is not part of the Office of Special Investigations, legal, security forces or equal opportunity.

"The best way to look at this is we work together with those other agencies," said Weger. "We do this because not all matters are correct for IG investigation, so anytime we need outside support in order to resolve a complaint, we will go to the other agencies to get the problem resolved."

The Privacy Act protects all information provided to the IG including names, but information a complaint provides is releasable through submission of a Freedom of Information Act Request. Protection of information and the identity of all complainants is a key goal of the IG complaints resolution program.

"The key to the IG complaints resolution program is impartiality," said Weger. "We ultimately strive to do what is in the best interest of the U.S. Air Force when resolving issues."

"At the end of the day, our sole purpose is to get everyone back to functioning efficiently, leading to a well functioning and well executed mission."

To contact IG please call 784-4469 or go to their office located on the first floor in Building 600. Walk-ins are welcome.