U.S. Department
of Justice
Department Resources
Other Department Offices with Ethics Responsibilities
The Office of the Inspector General
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigates alleged violations of criminal and civil laws by Department employees in an effort to deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct, and to promote economy and efficiency in Department programs. OIG also audits and inspects Department programs.
The Professional Responsibility Advisory Office
The Professional Responsibility Advisory Office (PRAO) is responsible for giving advice to Department attorneys and conducting trainings for Department components concerning issues related to professional responsibility.
The Departmental Ethics Office
The Departmental Ethics Office administers the Department-wide ethics program and implements Department regulations and policies concerning ethics issues. Examples of issues handled by the Departmental Ethics Office include gifts, travel, conflicts of interest, outside employment, political activities, and procurement integrity.
Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management
The Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management (OARM) oversees the Department’s outreach and recruitment efforts for law students and attorneys. OARM also has delegated authority to take final action in matters pertaining to the employment, separation, and general administration of Department attorneys and law students in grades GS-15 (or equivalent) and below. OARM also provides Department components with guidance on a variety of attorney personnel issues and performs special attorney personnel duties as assigned by the Department leadership. Finally, OARM is the Department's adjudicative office in FBI Whistleblower cases.
Other Offices of Professional Responsibility
Drug Enforcement Administration Office of Professional Responsibility
DEA-OPR, a part of DEA’s Inspection Division, is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct involving DEA employees. Misconduct findings are referred to the Board of Professional Conduct and the Deciding Officials for disciplinary action.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Office of Professional Responsibility
FBI-OPR is an independent unit that reviews investigations conducted by the FBI Inspection Division’s Internal Affairs Section to determine whether applicable policies, rules, regulations, laws, or other legal standards were violated, and, if so, what penalty should be imposed on the employee in question—up to and including dismissal.
U.S. Marshals Service Office of Professional Responsibility
USMS-OPR investigates allegations of employee misconduct, conducts programmatic compliance reviews, and provides support on matters of discipline in response to employee misconduct.
ATF’s IAD is responsible for ensuring ATF employees serve the public with honesty, integrity, and professionalism, and when warranted, IAD investigates allegations of administrative and criminal misconduct.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility
ICE-OPR is a unit within the Department of Homeland Security that investigates allegations of misconduct involving employees of ICE.