In the United States, a special agent is an official term used to refer to an investigator or detective for a federal or state government or independent agency, who primarily serves in criminal investigatory positions. Additionally, many federal and state special agents operate in "criminal intelligence" based roles as well. Within the U.S. federal law enforcement system, dozens of federal agencies employ federal law enforcement officers, each with different criteria pertaining to the use of the titles Special Agent and Agent. These titles are also used by many state level agencies to refer to their personnel.
In the United States, Office of Inspector General (OIG) is a generic term for the oversight division of a federal or state agency aimed at preventing inefficient or unlawful operations within their parent agency. Such offices are attached to many federal executive departments, independent federal agencies, as well as state and local governments. Each office includes an inspector general and employees charged with identifying, auditing, and investigating fraud, waste, abuse, embezzlement and mismanagement of any kind within the executive department.
The Office of Inspector General for the Department of State (OIG) is an independent office within the U.S. Department of State with a primary responsibility to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. OIG inspects more than 270 embassies, diplomatic posts, and international broadcasting installations throughout the world to determine whether policy goals are being achieved and whether the interests of the United States are being represented and advanced effectively.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for conducting nearly all of the investigations of DOJ employees and programs. The office has several hundred employees, reporting to the Inspector General. Michael E. Horowitz has held the post since 2012.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was established along with the Department of Homeland Security itself in 2002 by the Homeland Security Act. Its website describes its mission as "supervis[ing] independent audits, investigations, and inspections of the programs and operations of DHS, and recommends ways for DHS to carry out its responsibilities in the most effective, efficient, and economical manner possible."
The U.S.Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General is one of the Inspector General offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The Inspector General for the Department of Transportation, like the Inspectors General of other federal departments and agencies, is charged with monitoring and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
The NASA Office of Inspector General is the inspector general office in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the space agency of the United States. The OIG's stated mission is to "prevent and detect crime, fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement and promote efficiency, effectiveness, and economy throughout NASA."
The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) addresses integrity, economy, and effectiveness issues that transcend individual Government agencies; and increase the professionalism and effectiveness of personnel by developing policies, technical standards, and approaches to aid in the establishment of a well-trained and highly skilled workforce in the Office of Inspector General. CIGIE was established in October 2008 as an independent entity within the United States executive branch by the Inspector General Reform Act (IGRA).
The Department of Defense Inspector General is an independent, objective agency that provides oversight related to the programs and operations of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). DoD IG was created in 1982 as an amendment to the Inspector General Act of 1978.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and violations of law and to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the United States African Development Foundation, and the Inter-American Foundation.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for oversight of the United States Department of Health and Human Service's approximately $2.4 trillion portfolio of programs. Approximately 1,650 auditors, investigators, and evaluators, supplemented by staff with expertise in law, technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, statistics, medicine, economics, health policy, and management and administration. Based on Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey scores, OIG has been ranked the best place to work (number 1) in HHS for 5 consecutive years by the Partnership for Public Service.
Gordon S. Heddell (born August 13, 1943, in St Louis) is a former Inspector General (IG) of the United States Department of Defense. Previously, Heddell also served as Inspector General for the Department of Labor.
The U.S.Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General is one of the Inspector General offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The Inspector General for the Department of Agriculture is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. A component of USDA-OIG, the Office of Investigations, conducts criminal investigations led by USDA-OIG Special Agents.
The U.S.Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General is one of the Inspector General offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The Inspector General for the Department of Commerce is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
The U.S.Department of Education Office of Inspector General is an Inspector General office created by the Department of Education Organization Act. The Inspector General for the Department of Education is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
The U.S.Department of Energy Office of Inspector General is an Inspector General office created by the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977. The Inspector General for the Department of Energy is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
The U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General is one of the Inspector General offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
The U.S.Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General is one of the Inspector General offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
The U.S.Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General is one of the Inspector General offices created by the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988. The Inspector General for the Department of the Treasury is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
The U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is one of the Inspector General offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs is charged with investigating and auditing department programs to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
