IRS CI 1811 November '09

Boo ya.

[This message was edited by brayneg on November 01, 2009 at 11:04 AM.]

Despite popular opinion G Rides are not for agent convenience they are to meet Agency requirements.

On call, is on call. "Respond to so and so".

Some HQ agents don't get G rides.

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Originally posted by bpmccauley1:
I asked this on the last page of the October thread but I thought I would copy and paste here so it doesn't get skipped over...thanks.

GOV Question

I know that we have discussed the issues associated with government owned vehicles but my wife and I were talking the other day and I don't believe this question was asked during the discussion.

Does every agent get a GOV or are there particular offices where a car would be more of a hassle than anything else, New York City comes to mind here. I've never tried to drive in that city but I can see why public transportation is so widely used. I suppose though if a car isn't used the agents aren't taking detainees on the subway so perhaps I just answered my own question.

Any thoughts?

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Someone asked last week about during work hours use of the work car for lunch. I don't think I saw that answered, but was still wondering if that is considered part of work or personal. D

Lost,

I recognize that you are trying to be helpful but your information about IRS operations is not always on point or correct. My answers to your post are as follows:

Lost-About fifteen years ago, an IRS RAC told me that they had a pool of government owned automobiles assigned to each office. SA's had to check one out, to conduct business.

Bill- The only RACs in IRS are at the IRS Campus (formerly known as Service Centers). Not too many people outside IRS deal with these agents. It is true that for some time that they did not have a car assigned them and had to check out a car from a fleet of non law enforcement vehicles. But they are not operating as field agents; they handle issues relating to returns, trials and other internal issues.


Lost-Things have changed, but I have recently seen when the government is operating its budget on a continuing resolution, Agencies have temporarily parked the G-Rides and reverted back to the check-out system.

Bill-FBI had to park their cars for a month or so several years ago, but I cannot remember ever having to park my G car and go to a check out system. Well, in the late 1970s there was an oil crisis but that was right about the time I started at IRS and I was not authorized a car.


Lost-It has been widely known, if management wants to scrutinize you, they start by examining your G-Ride use and your travel vouchers. There are precise regulations and rules for both.

Bill-This is pretty standard throughout the G. However, travel vouchers at IRS are looked at very carefully at the time of submission. Presently, it is all computerized in GOVTrip. Very hard to hide things in the system. I suppose if you really wanted to cheat, there might be a way but as rule, the agents I know value their jobs more than the extra dollars they might get on filing a false voucher. ( I like everyone has heard about the inflated parking fees.) I do not know if you know anything about Giglio and Henthorn issues but an agent’s career is over if the agent is caught lying about something.


Lost-Internal Affairs would visit each office every year, and remind special agents of these regulations. Office of Inspector General has included use of government computers, and weapons. At the same time, they would invite EEO Counselors for the yearly counseling.

Bill-TIGTA (our internal affairs) visit us when invited or if they have some mandate. I can count on both hands the times a TIGTA agent has visited my group in my career. I can safely say that I have never had a discussion with a TIGTA agent about the use of firearms or more specifically, my weapon in my career. Nor have I discussed the use of my computer with a TIGTA agent. I do not speak for every agent. I speak only for myself. Others might have different experiences with TIGTA and they if care to comment, I welcome a different opinion from someone in our agency. The use of computers is covered in our on line computer learning system.

Lost-Yearly training in ethics and EEO is mandatory in the federal government. Some agencies use computerized training, in-house training, or both.

Bill-Other than during my time at FLETC, I have had only 2 presentations by an EEO Counselors in 30 years. These days, EEO is covered in the yearly on line computer system. Ethics is also covered in the computerized training. Our training is done through a special on line system that allows management to know when an agent has completed the assignment.

Lost-Unfortunately, G-Rides are a double edged sword -- they can save you wear and tear on your POV, but bite you when you bend the rules.

Bill- I agree.


Lost- Some agencies require that you obtain prior permission from the SAC, before you use your POV to conduct government business. I suppose liability issues could arise, should you have an accident that caused injuries/damages to other people.

Bill-I have never asked the SAC to use my POV to conduct G business. Maybe in some other agency it is true, but not here. Now of course I would not use my POV for surveillance but I have no problem driving it to the U.S. Attorney’s office or some other place that is not considered a threat.

Sincerely,
Bill

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Originally posted by Lost In the Matrix:
About fifteen years ago, an IRS RAC told me that they had a pool of government owned automobiles assigned to each office. SA's had to check one out, to conduct business.

Things have changed, but I have recently seen when the government is operating its budget on a continuing resolution, Agencies have temporarily parked the G-Rides and reverted back to the check-out system.

It has been widely known, if manangement wants to scrutinize you, they start by examining your G-Ride use and your travel vouchers. There are precise regulations and rules for both.

Internal Affairs would visit each office every year, and remind special agents of these regulations. Office of Inspector General has included use of government computers, and weapons. At the same time, they would invite EEO Counselors for the yearly counseling.

Yearly training in ethics and EEO is mandatory in the federal government. Some agenies use computerized training, in-house training, or both.

Unfortunately, G-Rides are a double edged sword -- they can save you wear and tear on your POV, but bite you when you bend the rules.

Some agencies require that you obtain prior permission from the SAC, before you use your POV to conduct government business. I suppose liability issues could arise, should you have an accident that caused injuries/damages to other people.

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Lost- Don't know why you pick apart everything that anyone posts, except those that claim to be IRS employees or want-to-be.

Bill- I only pick apart people that post incorrect items about my agency. I only want to discuss my agency with other agents or want to be agents which is why I'm posting in this thread. I don’t see any benefit of you misleading our potential employees with your incorrect information about IRS. You are no expert on IRS matters. I don’t understand why you do not post in the ICE threads since that is your experience. I have never posted on any other thread because like I said, I am only here to discuss IRS CI matters. I have never enjoyed arguing with people from other agencies about my agency; it is a waste of time. Believe me it did not take a few hours to discredit your post; it only took a few minutes because I have 30 years of experience at my agency and you have NONE.

Here’s the bottom line- I do not plan to respond to any more of your posts. Post whatever you want. I hope our agents and want to be agents see you for what you are. Have a good life.

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Originally posted by Lost In the Matrix:
I did speak to a Resident Agent in Charge, IRS, CID. Don't know why you pick apart everything that anyone posts, except those that claim to be IRS employees or want-to-be. It only took a couple of hours for you to try to discredit my post and/or discussion.

It might be a waste of time to justify/support my postings to you. However, in this ever changing world, some of the readers may have the opportunity to work for other federal agencies or work on joint task forces.

I knew a special agent that worked for Secret Service, IRS Internal Affairs and ICE. He was a versatile, intelligent and successful federal employee that was promoted because he did great work. He retired after an exemplary career.

I know that FederalSoup.com will be closing down to do some changes. I have been a poster to this forum for some time. Maybe they will change the "since your last visit" selection. The IRS recruits have certainly populated it.

Like the header says at the top left: FederalSoup.com
A place to share, debate and discuss.

The IRS is not a unique and mysterious federal agency. I worked over fifteen years in the Department of Treasury. Hey, we all took the oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Many of the registered members of this forum have helped each other, no matter what agency or department.

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