Inspector General Internal Investigations Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Internal Investigations Section do?

The Office of Inspector General has an Internal Investigations Section consisting of sworn law enforcement personnel. A Law Enforcement Major manages the section and supervises four Law Enforcement Captains and one Crime Intelligence Analyst. This section handles all administrative and criminal investigations concerning the employees of the Department of Environmental Protection.

I want to make a complaint about a DEP employee. Where do I mail it or who can I call?

Mail your complaint to:
Office of Inspector General
Internal Investigations Section
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 51
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
Office Phone is (850)245-3151

Call any of the Investigators or the Crime Analysts at:
Office phone: (850) 245-3151

Come in person to:
Office of Inspector General

Room 115
3800 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL

What kinds of complaints are investigated?

Sexual Harassment
Whistle-blower
Title VII Discrimination
Violations of the department’s directives, policies, procedures, Division of Law Enforcement general orders, Recreation and Parks operations procedures, rules or laws by the department or its employees.
Criminal Wrongdoing and Statute Violations

How many investigations does your office conduct in a year?

The office conducts approximately 140 investigations a year.

Do you investigate "anonymous" complaints?

ALL complaints are addressed. Anonymous complaints of administrative violations received by the Office of Inspector General through sources other than the Whistle-blower or Get Lean Hotlines are forwarded to the director for appropriate action. If the director is the subject of the complaint, it is forwarded to the director’s immediate supervisor. If the nature of the anonymous complaint is serious, it may become the subject of a formal investigation by members of the OIG Internal Investigations Section.

How do I know if I am under investigation?

The appropriate director or their designee is notified unless it is in the interest of the department to withhold notification. Cases where notification might be withheld include criminal or other highly sensitive investigations where notification would jeopardize the collection of evidence in the case. Employees are notified in writing that they are subject of an internal investigation unless such notification is precluded by law or the nature of the allegation(s) warrants a delay of such notification.

If I am under investigation, what are my rights? Do I need a representative?

If your class code (position) is covered by a collective bargaining unit, you are urged to review your collective bargaining contract or contact a qualified advisor or representative before being interviewed to ensure that you are familiar with your rights and responsibilities during an investigation. Class codes not covered by a collective bargaining unit (Select Exempt Service, Senior Management, Other Personal Services (OPS), or Auxiliary Law Enforcement) may still consult with or have a representative of your choice present during the interview. Representatives may act only as observers and are not entitled to speak for you, or inhibit your responses.

How do you remain independent and objective?

Chapter 20.055, Florida Statute requires each state agency to establish an Office of Inspector General to provide a central point for coordination of and responsibility for activities that promote accountability, integrity, and efficiency in government. The law states that the agency head shall not prevent or prohibit the Inspector General or Director of Auditing from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation.

Why are the Internal Investigators in the Office of Inspector General (OIG) sworn law enforcement officers?

In the Department of Environmental Protection, there is a Division of Law Enforcement that has sworn law enforcement personnel (Park Patrol, Office of Enforcement Planning and Policy Coordination, Office of Investigations, Bureau of Operational Support and Bureau of Technical Services). The OIG Internal Investigators have the authority to administer oaths, take sworn statements, and conduct administrative and criminal investigations involving both sworn and non-sworn employees.

I want to make a complaint concerning the Department’s Office of Inspector General. What do I do?

Complaints against the Office of Inspector General staff should be filed directly with the Agency Inspector General.
Forward complaints to:
Inspector General
Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Rd., MS 40
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

A complaint regarding the Agency Inspector General should be filed directly with the Chief Inspector General.
Forward complaints to:
Chief Inspector General
Executive Office of the Governor
The Capitol, Room 2103
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Programs Inspector General Home Audit Internal Investigation Program Review & Improvement Reports Information About Us Contacts Forms Rules & Directives Statutes	Internal Investigations Frequently Asked Questions What does the Internal Investigations Section do? The Office of Inspector General has an Internal Investigations Section consisting of sworn law enforcement personnel. A Law Enforcement Major manages the section and supervises four Law Enforcement Captains and one Crime Intelligence Analyst. This section handles all administrative and criminal investigations concerning the employees of the Department of Environmental Protection. I want to make a complaint about a DEP employee. Where do I mail it or who can I call? Mail your complaint to: Office of Inspector General Internal Investigations Section 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 51 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000 Office Phone is (850)245-3151 Call any of the Investigators or the Crime Analysts at: Office phone: (850) 245-3151 Come in person to: Office of Inspector General Room 115 3800 Commonwealth Boulevard Tallahassee, FL What kinds of complaints are investigated? Sexual Harassment Whistle-blower Title VII Discrimination Violations of the department’s directives, policies, procedures, Division of Law Enforcement general orders, Recreation and Parks operations procedures, rules or laws by the department or its employees. Criminal Wrongdoing and Statute Violations How many investigations does your office conduct in a year? The office conducts approximately 140 investigations a year. Do you investigate "anonymous" complaints? ALL complaints are addressed. Anonymous complaints of administrative violations received by the Office of Inspector General through sources other than the Whistle-blower or Get Lean Hotlines are forwarded to the director for appropriate action. If the director is the subject of the complaint, it is forwarded to the director’s immediate supervisor. If the nature of the anonymous complaint is serious, it may become the subject of a formal investigation by members of the OIG Internal Investigations Section. How do I know if I am under investigation? The appropriate director or their designee is notified unless it is in the interest of the department to withhold notification. Cases where notification might be withheld include criminal or other highly sensitive investigations where notification would jeopardize the collection of evidence in the case. Employees are notified in writing that they are subject of an internal investigation unless such notification is precluded by law or the nature of the allegation(s) warrants a delay of such notification. If I am under investigation, what are my rights? Do I need a representative? If your class code (position) is covered by a collective bargaining unit, you are urged to review your collective bargaining contract or contact a qualified advisor or representative before being interviewed to ensure that you are familiar with your rights and responsibilities during an investigation. Class codes not covered by a collective bargaining unit (Select Exempt Service, Senior Management, Other Personal Services (OPS), or Auxiliary Law Enforcement) may still consult with or have a representative of your choice present during the interview. Representatives may act only as observers and are not entitled to speak for you, or inhibit your responses. How do you remain independent and objective? Chapter 20.055, Florida Statute requires each state agency to establish an Office of Inspector General to provide a central point for coordination of and responsibility for activities that promote accountability, integrity, and efficiency in government. The law states that the agency head shall not prevent or prohibit the Inspector General or Director of Auditing from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation. Why are the Internal Investigators in the Office of Inspector General (OIG) sworn law enforcement officers? In the Department of Environmental Protection, there is a Division of Law Enforcement that has sworn law enforcement personnel (Park Patrol, Office of Enforcement Planning and Policy Coordination, Office of Investigations, Bureau of Operational Support and Bureau of Technical Services). The OIG Internal Investigators have the authority to administer oaths, take sworn statements, and conduct administrative and criminal investigations involving both sworn and non-sworn employees. I want to make a complaint concerning the Department’s Office of Inspector General. What do I do? Complaints against the Office of Inspector General staff should be filed directly with the Agency Inspector General. Forward complaints to: Inspector General Department of Environmental Protection 2600 Blair Stone Rd., MS 40 Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 A complaint regarding the Agency Inspector General should be filed directly with the Chief Inspector General. Forward complaints to: Chief Inspector General Executive Office of the Governor The Capitol, Room 2103 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Last updated: July 18, 2007
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