U S Government Accountability Office

Inspectors General, Dhs Oig's Structure, Policies, and Procedures Are Consistent with Standards, But Areas for Improvement Exist U S Government Accountability Office

" The DHS OIG plays a critical role in strengthening accountability throughout DHS. The OIG received about $141 million in fiscal year 2013 appropriations to carry out this oversight. The joint explanatory statement to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2013, directed GAO to review the OIG and its organizational structure for meeting independence standards. This report examines (1) the coverage the OIG's audits and inspections provided of DHS's component agencies, management challenges, and high-risk areas; (2) the extent to which the OIG's organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities were consistent with the IG Act; and (3) the extent to which the design of the OIG's policies and procedures was consistent with applicable independence standards. To address these objectives, GAO obtained relevant documentation, such as selected reports and OIG policies and procedures, and compared this information to the IG Act and independence standards. GAO also interviewed officials from the OIG, DHS components, and the FBI. "