The report by inspector-general Glenn Fine found that some FBI employees improperly consulted with others while taking the exam, and others used or distributed answer sheets or study guides that essentially provided the answers to the test.
A few FBI employees, including several supervisors and a legal adviser, exploited a programming flaw to reveal the answers on their computers, according to the investigation into four FBI offices around the country and several individuals.
It marked the latest critical report of the federal law enforcement agency by the inspector general’s office, which has questioned in the past whether the FBI has violated civil liberties as part of its terrorism investigations.
On September 20, the inspector-general said the FBI improperly launched investigations of US activists after the September 11 attacks, miscast peaceful protests as acts of terrorism and in one case prompted FBI director Robert Mueller to provide inaccurate testimony to Congress.
The latest report involved guidelines adopted in December 2008 for domestic FBI investigations and operations, rules that have been criticised by civil liberties groups.
The FBI adopted classroom training on the rules and required that employees pass a computerised 51-question exam.
Employees could use notes and the guidelines, but were barred from consulting with others. The exam’s last question required all employees to certify that they did not consult anyone while taking the test.
The report said almost all those who cheated had falsely certified that they had not consulted with anyone else.
The inspector general recommended that the FBI take action against those who cheated, consider other appropriate steps to determine whether others cheated and conduct a new exam.
At least one of the senior supervisors in the Washington, DC, field office who was alleged to have cheated has left the FBI.
0 comments:
Post a Comment