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FBI Employees Cheated on Exams, Justice Department Report Finds

1 year ago
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As many as 200 FBI employees cheated on an exam judging their skills in criminal or national security operations, operational support and intelligence collection, a Justice Department investigation found.

The DOJ inspector general report released Monday concludes that certain test takers used cheat sheets, some consulted with each other during the exam, and others "exploited a programming flaw to reveal the answers to the exam on their computers," Talking Points Memo first reported.

The 51-question Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide (DIOG) generally takes about two hours to complete on a computer. The FBI found that at least 200 employees finished in about 20 minutes.

The OIG report also found that supervisors and instructors were complicit in the cheating. In some cases, instructors "stomped a foot several times, loudly" to help provide clues about topics that would be tested.

The DOJ concludes that cheaters should be disciplined and re-tested with a new exam.

FBI Director Robert Mueller issued a statement Monday on the investigation, saying the bureau has already taken action against some cheaters.

"When allegations of misconduct relating to the DIOG testing first came to our attention, we moved quickly to investigate, bringing in the Office of Inspector General (OIG). In cases where misconduct has been determined, personnel actions were taken, and that process continues," Mueller wrote. "The vast majority of FBI employees successfully completed the DIOG training and the open-book examination that followed, in accordance with the test-taking instructions. While the Office of Inspector General has identified a number of factors that contributed to problems with the test-taking, nothing excuses the conduct of those who chose not to comply when instructions were clear."

Read the full DOJ report here.
Filed Under: Scandal, Investigations

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9 Comments

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stevechengmead

Please, as a past government employee for county , state and federal agencies I've got two word to explain this and it will never be mentioned on this particular Aol site .... Afirmative Action. I'm sure almost all government employees that will honestly answer will confirm.

September 28 2010 at 10:42 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Tami

The cheaters should not be able to take another exam. They should be kicked to the curb. Who wants these type of people working for us? Those who cheated only show their true colors and I for one dont want lazy, cheaters who dont deserve to work for the people and cant be trusted to carry out such a position. Why is this in the news? Makes me feel even less secure knowing that these are the idiots that are supposed to be working for the safety of us all. They should not be given a second chance. We are not dealing with children, dont they take their job seriously? What a mockery they make of this country. God Bless the USA, because we sure do need it with idiots that cant process the subject matter that is required to work for the FBI. If they are unable to pass the tests without cheating they arent qualified for the job. They are not only cheating themselves but everyone in the USA. This is very disturbing to say the least. How can they be effective working with the FBI if they arent capable or to lazy to pass an exam? What is wrong with these people? I wonder how they would explain to their children that cheating is wrong but OK for them to do. What a bunch of losers.

September 28 2010 at 10:15 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
johngarvin01

Oh boy, I can't trust FBI only if I find out a cheated FBI employee is taking re-test and re-admission. That's sad for E. Hoover's dream for America Stopping the Crime. Cheated FBI employee is really a criminal.

September 28 2010 at 7:59 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
sadmaawk

And they're still contemplating handing these yeahoos a gun, and badge, and the authority to revoke God given, unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Mistrust those in whom the urge to punish is strong. 200 is a lot of like minded people in one test, and the fact that instructors were aiding the cheaters is cause for even more concern. I'm for throwing out the baby with the bath water, it sounds like the entire agency has credibility problems. Fire them all they can all go to work for the N.C. S.B.I. or the Florida FDLE. Both of those agencies lack any hint of human decency.

September 28 2010 at 6:53 AM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
catalogsplus

It takes a special kind of neglect and incompetence to allow rampant cheating. I agree with pcfriar, why would you retest cheaters who have shown their real character. They should be fired and barred from government jobs. We have enough ethically challenged people in govt.

September 27 2010 at 9:39 PM Report abuse +6 rate up rate down Reply
pcfriar66

Re-tested? If they cheated they should be summarily fired as it shows their propensity for corruptuion. In the field they will be dishonest as well, planting evidence, lying to secure warrants,(assuming they get warrants at all), thereby putting the rights of the citizens in jeopardy. Recently several individuals were released in Boston after serving more than 20 years for a murder that they were framed for by the FBI, who wanted to protect the real killer, who was an FBI informant. Their supply of information was most important. If innocent people rotted in prison, so what. This is not J Edgar Hoover's FBI anymore. They now have to follow the constitution like they were supposed to all along.

September 27 2010 at 8:49 PM Report abuse +7 rate up rate down Reply
Dennis

DLCCARS44 YOU ARE RIGHT BECAUSE NO ONE CARES

September 27 2010 at 8:36 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
Tom

What was the time frame on this???

September 27 2010 at 7:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doncrites

why don't they fire them all? Once again our government shows that there is no accountability.

September 27 2010 at 6:19 PM Report abuse +10 rate up rate down Reply

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