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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.



                                          
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 unit commander, then 
take it to the next higher commander (i.e. Wing Commander).  The first person 
to contact is NOT the I.G., 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 NHQ CAP/DP.  




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 refer to CAPR 123-2 to 
determine if your concern or grievance meets the definition of a complaint. 
If it does, you should follow the steps for Complaints Submission outlined 
in CAPR 123-2.  



     
CIVIL AIR PATROL COMPLAINTS PROGRAM DEFINITIONS 


These definitions are taken from CAPR 123-2 . Should there be any conflict 
between this list and CAPR 123-2, CAPR 123-2 will take precedence.
(A)  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, or copy machines. 


(B)  Complainant is one who identifies a possible violation of a CAP directive,
violation of law or serious misconduct, and brings it to the attention of the
Inspector General or a person in a position of leadership or authority. 


(C)  Complaint means a written document listing facts and circumstances
specifically reporting a violation of a CAP directive, a violation of law, 
or serious misconduct. 


(D)  Fraud is any intentional deception designed to unlawfully deprive the CAP
of something of value or to secure for an individual, group, or corporation a
benefit, privilege, allowance, or consideration to which he, she, or it is not
entitled. Such practices include, but are not limited to:  the offer, payment,
acceptance of bribes or gratuities or evading or corrupting Inspectors or other
officials; making false statements or submitting false claims; deceit, either by 
suppressing the truth or misrepresenting material facts, or to deprive the CAP of 
something of value; falsifying records and/or books of accounts; conspiring to carry 
out any of the above. 


(E)  Frivolous Complaint is the filing of trivial, superficial, and senseless complaints 
that may tend to subvert, obscure, or impede leadership authority, or a complaint 
intended for retaliation against the corporation, general membership, or a specific 
member for the purpose of harassment, abuse, or adversely impacting morale. 


(F)  Hostile Environment means any threatening environment or atmosphere including,
but not limited to, emotional and physical abuse, hazing, stalking, abusive and 
demeaning language, or any gross public humiliation. 


(G)  Investigation is an authorized, systematic, and detailed examination to uncover 
facts and determine the truth and validity of a complaint. 


(H)  Preliminary Investigation is the gathering of information or facts to determine 
whether the merits of an allegation indeed constitute a legitimate complaint. 


(I)  Priority Investigation is an investigation directly impacting cadet protection
issues, safety, loss of life, or CAP tangible assets. These investigations are
critical and will take precedence over all other pending investigations. 


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


(K)  Conclusion classifications:  


1. UNFOUNDED -- The inquiry determined that the act or acts 
complained of did not occur. 
2. EXONERATED -- The inquiry revealed that the acts complained of
occurred but were justified according to applicable directives, and the
action was proper. 
3. INCONCLUSIVE -- The inquiry failed to establish the facts of the
allegation or disclose sufficient information to prove or disprove the
allegation. 
4. SUSTAINED -- The inquiry disclosed substantial evidence or a
significant amount of information in support of the allegation made in the
complaint. 




CIVIL AIR PATROL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM


The Civil Air Patrol Inspection/Assessment Program consists of inspections, staff 
assistance visits and self-assessments. The program exists to protect the CAP 
organization by ensuring the various laws, rules, policies and agreements 
governing CAP programs are complied with. 


The program also helps its members meet the demands of CAP’s  many rules, 
regulations and policies. Squadron inspections, sometimes call 
Subordinate Unit Inspections (SUI’s) are conducted by the Wing Inspector General, 
usually with assistance from other Wing personnel.  


Units are notified well in advance of when an inspection will be conducted 
for their organization and a self-assessment guide is provided by the Wing I.G. 
for use by squadrons in order to prepare for the formal inspection. 
Staff Assistance Visits (SAVs) are meant to assist a unit in meeting its goals.  
SAVs provide assistance and training for the unit being visited and form a 
good practice tool prior to an inspection. 




SAVs may be conducted at any level headquarters by any higher headquarters.  
SAVs are most commonly conducted on a  wing headquarters by its CAP-USAF Liaison Region.
Self-Assessments are conducted by any headquarters, commander or staff officer on
his/her own unit or activity to determine how well he/she is doing.




Specific details about scheduling and conducting IG inspections, SAVs, SUIs and
Self-Assessments are described in CAPR 123-3. 
The CAP/IG and CAP-USAF/IG jointly publish an inspection guide for both
wings/regions and for units below the wing.  In addition, the Wing I.G. has 
published a self- assessment guide for all units within the West Virginia Wing.  

These guides will be used as the framework for conducting an inspection of the 
appropriate level organization.