About the ICWPA
The Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA) of 1998 provides a secure means for employees to report to Congress allegations regarding classified information.
The ICWPA is a statute that provides a process by which employees, or contractor employees, of the Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, and the National Security Agency can report matters of "urgent concern" to the intelligence committees of Congress. DoD OIG Instruction 7050.11, dated 15 February 2007, implements the ICWPA within the DoD Office of Inspector General.
ICWPA Complaints
In order to submit an ICWPA complaint the following elements must be met:
- Eligible Originator: Only applies to employees (civilian, military or contractor) assigned to the four DoD intelligence agencies (DIA, NSA, NRO, and NGA). Does not apply to activities of the military services, combatant commands, or Office of Secretary of Defense.
- Urgent Concern: Complaint must be of an "urgent concern" which is defined as follows:
- A serious or flagrant problem, abuse, violation of law or Executive Order, or deficiency relating to the funding, administration, or operations of an intelligence activity involving classified information, but does not include differences of opinion concerning public policy matters;
- A false statement to Congress, or a willful withholding from Congress, on an issue of material fact relating to the funding, administration, or operation of an intelligence activity; and/or
- An action, including a personnel action described in section 2302(a)(2)(A) of Title 5, constituting reprisal or threat of reprisal prohibited under section 7(c) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, in response to an employee reporting an urgent concern.
How to File an ICWPA Complaint
As you are viewing these pages from a DoD UNCLASSIFIED Internet Site,
You CANNOT file classified complaints via this site |
If you want to file a complaint under the ICWPA, please refer to the complaints processes for classified complaints below. It is also highly recommended that you contact the Defense Hotline at (800) 424-9098, where an investigator can advise you on filing procedures and timelines.
Classified Complaints Involving up to SECRET Information:
To submit complaints involving SECRET information, please visit the DoD Office of Inspector General Hotline pages on the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network, otherwise known as the SIPRNET system. The links below are not live links and are presented for information and reference only, as you cannot reach the SIPRNET system from this unclassified site. Further coordination to speak on a secured line can be arranged.
You may submit your complaint via the following methods:
(Preferred) SIPR Website: http://www.dodig.smil.mil/hotline
SIPR Email: Hotline@dodig.smil.mil
Mailing Address: DEFENSE HOTLINE
THE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-1900
If you submit your complaint involving SECRET information by registered mail or courier, ensure that you follow DoD 5200.1-R, Information Security Program, and DoD 5200.1PH, DoD Guide to Marking Classified Documents.
We recommend that you contact the Defense Hotline at 1-800-424-9098 (unsecured line) with questions or concerns involving this process. Unclassified e-mail questions may also be directed to hotline@dodig.mil.
Classified Complaints Involving up to TOP SECRET Information:
To submit complaints involving TOP SECRET information or above, please visit the DoD Inspector General Hotline pages on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS), found at: http://www.dodig.ic.gov/hotline/index.html. (Note: This link is not live and will not work from unclassified systems or unsecured internet connections.)
You may also coordinate with your respective security office on courier options. TOP SECRET complaints cannot be sent via postal systems. Alternatively, you may contact the Defense Hotline at 1-800-424-9098 (unsecured line) to coordinate delivery. Further coordination to speak on a classified, secured line can be arranged, if requested or deemed necessary.