Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, program and policy implementation, and resource management operations of Embassy Santo Domingo. This inspection included the consular agencies in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 21 recommendations: 1 to improve coordination of law enforcement activities; 6 to address policy and program implementation issues; and 14 to improve management and information management operations. In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with 20 recommendations and neither agreed nor disagreed with 1 recommendation. OIG considers the 21 recommendations resolved. The Department’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The Department’s formal written responses are reprinted in their entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- The Ambassador and the Deputy Chief of Mission effectively engaged the Government of the Dominican Republic while also supporting Embassy Santo Domingo personnel and programs.
- Coordination among the embassy’s 11 different U.S. Government agencies and sections conducting law enforcement activities needed to be strengthened.
- Embassy Santo Domingo did not follow requirements to review unliquidated obligations, resulting in a potential $1.3 million in U.S. Government funds that could be put to better use.
- The training program for consular officers providing services to American citizens was inadequate.
- Consular managers did not complete all visa case reviews in accordance with Department of State standards.
- Internal control deficiencies in the Management Section, primarily in financial management and general services, were exacerbated by staffing gaps in key positions.
- Spotlight on Success: Embassy Santo Domingo partnered with the Government of Colombia under the U.S.-Colombia Action Plan to deliver law enforcement training to Dominican Government officials, strengthening regional collaboration and significantly reducing training costs.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Santo Domingo should strengthen oversight and coordination of law enforcement activities by implementing written standard operating procedures defining when law enforcement agency operations require formal Chief of Mission approval, monitoring law enforcement assistance, and documenting Law Enforcement Working Group discussions and decisions.
Embassy Santo Domingo, in coordination with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, should transfer the 14 unused Automated Fingerprint Information System units to the Dominican police or other Dominican agencies where they will be used.
Embassy Santo Domingo should implement a training program for First- and Second-Tour officers rotating into the Consular Section’s American citizen services unit, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Santo Domingo should provide consular applicants with a waiting area that meets Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should provide protection for consular applicants in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should review immigrant visa refusals in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Santo Domingo should conduct its fraud prevention program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should review its unliquidated obligations in accordance with Department guidance, and put up to $1.3 million to better use.
Embassy Santo Domingo should clear overdue travel advances in accordance with Department guidelines, and put up to $55,020 to better use.
Embassy Santo Domingo should track and pay invoices in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act and Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should close out procurement files in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should comply with Department standards for its contracting officer’s representatives.
Embassy Santo Domingo should verify and document the monitoring and evaluation of its contracts in accordance with Department guidance.
Embassy Santo Domingo should comply with all Department Overseas Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program requirements.
Embassy Santo Domingo, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should implement personal property management internal controls in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should use the Post Occupational Safety and Health Officer Certification Application to complete and document inspections and certifications for its residences prior to occupancy, as required by Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should test the information technology contingency plans for the unclassified and classified networks in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should conduct initial and annual refresher information technology contingency training for employees with information technology contingency planning responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santo Domingo should comply with Department guidelines for participation in the remote access program.
Embassy Santo Domingo should relocate emergency power-off switches in accordance with Department guidelines.
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should update its Information Assurance training materials to reflect current Department guidelines.