[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 8 (Friday, January 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1444-1445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-670]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, DoD.

ACTION: Notice to alter systems of records.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force is proposing to alter a system 
of records notice in its existing inventory of record systems subject 
to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. The alteration 
will expand the category of individuals covered, and add a (j)(2) 
exemption to the system of records. The exemption is intended to 
increase the value of the system of records for law enforcement 
purposes.

DATES: This proposed action will be effective without further notice on 
February 11, 2002 unless comments are received which result in a 
contrary determination.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Air Force Privacy Act Manager, CIO-BIM/
P, 1155 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1155.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Anne Rollins at (703) 601-4043 or 
DSN 329-4043.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Air Force systems of 
records notices subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as 
amended, have been published in the Federal Register and are available 
from the address above.
    The proposed system reports, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the 
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on December 28, 2001, to 
the House Committee on Government Reform, the Senate Committee on 
Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A-130, 
``Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About 
Individuals,'' dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427).

    Dated: January 4, 2002.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
F090 AF IG B

System name:
    Inspector General Records (June 8, 1999, 64 FR 30492).

Changes:
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    Delete last sentence and replace with `All individuals who are or 
have been subjects of reviews, inquiries, or investigations.'
* * * * *

Exemptions claimed for the system:
    Add to entry `Parts of this system may be exempt pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) if the information is compiled and maintained by a 
component of the agency which performs as its principle function any 
activity pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws.'
* * * * *
F090 AF IG B

System name:
    Inspector General Records.

System location:
    Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air 
Force (SAF/IG), 1140 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1140. 
Headquarters of major commands and at all levels down to and including 
Air Force installations. Official mailing addresses are published as an 
appendix to the Air Force's compilation of record systems notices.

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    All those who have registered a complaint, allegation or query with 
the Inspector General or Base Inspector on matters related to the 
Department of the Air Force. All individuals who are or have been 
subjects of reviews, inquiries, or investigations.

Categories of records in the system:
    Letters/transcriptions of complaints, allegations and queries; 
letters of appointment; reports of reviews, inquiries and 
investigations with supporting attachments, exhibits and photographs; 
record of interviews; witness statements; reports of legal review of 
case files, congressional responses; memoranda; letters and reports of 
findings and actions taken; letters to complainants and subjects of 
investigations; letters of rebuttal from subjects of investigations; 
finance; personnel; administration; adverse information, and technical 
reports.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    10 U.S.C. 8013, Secretary of the Air Force: Powers and duties; 
delegation by, 10 U.S.C. 8020, Inspector General, and E.O. 9397 (SSN).

Purpose(s):
    Used to insure just, thorough, and timely resolution and response 
to complaints, allegations or queries, and a means of improving morale, 
welfare, and efficiency of organizations, units, and personnel by 
providing an outlet for redress. Used by the Inspector General and Base 
Inspectors in the resolution of complaints and allegations and 
responding to queries involving matters concerning the Department of 
the Air Force and in some instances the Department of Defense. Used in

[[Page 1445]]

connection with the recommendation/selection/removal or retirement of 
officers eligible for promotion to or serving in, general officer 
ranks.

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
of users and the purposes of such uses:
    In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained 
therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
    The DoD `Blanket Routine Uses' published at the beginning of the 
Air Force's compilation of record system notices apply to this system.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
    Maintained in file folders and in Automated Complaints Tracking 
System (ACTS) database.

Retrievability:
    Retrieved by Complainant's name, subject of investigation's name 
and case number.

Safeguards:
    Records are accessed by custodian of the system of records and by 
person(s) responsible for maintaining the system of records in the 
performance of their official duties. These personnel are properly 
screened and cleared for need-to-know. Records are stored in a locked 
room protected by cipher lock. Information maintained in the ACTS 
database is protected by computer system software and password.

Retention and disposal:
    Retained in office files for two years after year in which case is 
closed. For senior official case files, retained in office files until 
two years after the year in which case is closed, or two years after 
the senior official retires, whichever is later. Records are destroyed 
by tearing into pieces, shredding, pulping, macerating or burning. 
Computer records are destroyed by erasing, deleting or overwriting.

System manager(s) and address:
    The Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force 
(SAF/IG), 1140 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1140.

Notification procedure:
    Individuals seeking to determine whether this system of records 
contains information on them should address inquiries to or visit the 
Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/IG), 
1140 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1140.

Record access procedures:
    Individuals seeking to access records about themselves contained in 
this system should address requests to the Inspector General, Office of 
the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/IG), 1140 Air Force Pentagon, 
Washington, DC 20330-1140.

Contesting record procedures:
    The Air Force rules for accessing records, and for contesting 
contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in 
Air Force Instruction 37-132; 32 CFR part 806b; or may be obtained from 
the system manager.

Record source categories:
    Complainants, inspectors, members of Congress, witnesses and 
subjects of investigations.

Exemptions claimed for the system:
    Parts of this system may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) 
if the information is compiled and maintained by a component of the 
agency, which performs as its principal function any activity 
pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws.
    Investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes, other 
than material within the scope of subsection 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), may 
be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). However, if an individual is 
denied any right, privilege, or benefit for which he would otherwise be 
entitled by Federal law or for which he would otherwise be eligible, as 
a result of the maintenance of the information, the individual will be 
provided access to the information exempt to the extent that disclosure 
would reveal the identity of a confidential source.

    Note: When claimed, this exemption allows limited protection of 
investigative reports maintained in a system of records used in 
personnel or administrative actions.

    An exemption rule for this record system has been promulgated in 
accordance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3), 
(c) and (e) and published in 32 CFR part 806b. For additional 
information contact the system manager.
[FR Doc. 02-670 Filed 1-10-02; 8:45 am]
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