Employees need to be warned about the coming change in internal investigations.  Postal Inspectors will seem tame compared to these guys.  The OIG has taken a hard stance against the employee’s right to remain silent.  This is like a flashback to an earlier time. 
 
All new cases of employee misconduct, except for mail theft, will be handled by the OIG starting May 1, 2006.  As of Sept. 1, 2006, the OIG will be responsible for all new mail theft allegations involving employees.  The Inspection Service will continue to work open investigations, but will not open any new ones. - DC

From USPS Newslink
 
TRANSITION PLAN

Some responsibilities moving from Inspection Service to OIG

 Postmaster General Jack Potter has announced principles for implementing the transition of all employee misconduct investigations from the Inspection Service (IS) to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In a message to officers yesterday, the PMG noted that there is a plan in place to gradually transfer certain IS responsibilities to the OIG. The principles announced yesterday are:

 §   Responsibility for investigating internal crimes will be with the OIG. An internal crime is one committed by a USPS employee.

 §   Responsibility for security and the investigation of external crimes will be with the IS. Security responsibility includes workspace violence (threats and incidents), dangerous mail (actual and hoax) and non-Information Technology security system sabotage investigations of employees and non-employees.

“To carry out these principles and to ensure an effective transfer of responsibilities,” Potter said, “there will be a phased transition of some work currently preformed by the IS to the OIG between now and the end of the calendar year. “

 The PMG said the first step will be to transfer all new non-mail theft issues of employee misconduct to the OIG May 1, 2006. As of Sept. 1, 2006, the OIG will be responsible for all new employee mail theft allegations. Potter said the IS will continue to work open investigations, but will not open any new employee mail theft investigations.
 
Related link : APWU to OIG: Postal Workers Have A ‘Right To Remain Silent’