Website Policies and Notices

Notice of Rights

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794d)

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 508) requires all electronic and information technology (also referred to as information and communication technology or ICT) that is developed, procured, maintained, or used by a federal agency to be accessible to people with disabilities. Examples of ICT include web sites, telephones, multimedia devices, and copiers. Access available to individuals with disabilities must be comparable to access available to others. Standards for Section 508 compliance are developed and maintained by the United States Access Board. Further information about the Access Board's standards and Section 508 generally may be found at www.section508.gov.

If you have questions about FLETC’s Section 508 program, e-mail FLETC508@fletc.dhs.gov.   For information about filing a complaint against the FLETC under Section 508 can be found at www.fletc.gov/equal-employment-opportunity or by contacting the Equal Employment Opportunity Office at (912) 267-3316.  To file a complaint against another agency, contact that agency's Section 508 Coordinator. Contact information for Section 508 Coordinators may be found at www.section508.gov/508-coordinator-listing.

Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§ 4151--57)

The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) requires access to facilities that are designed, built, altered, or leased with Federal funds. The Access Board is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the ABA. The Access Board's accessibility standards are available on their website at www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-aba-standards, and information about filing a complaint may be found at www.access-board.gov/aba-enforcement/file-a-complaint.

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers are concerned about your privacy. When you visit this site certain information about you is automatically recognized by the web server. Also, it is possible for you to voluntarily provide information to us via this web site. We want you to know how we use (or don't use) this information.

Web Site Information

First, our web server automatically communicates with your computer and certain information is exchanged in order to facilitate your visit to our web pages. Our server automatically recognizes your domain name (in general terms this actually identifies the classification of the Internet Service Provider through which you gain access to the Internet). Examples of common domain types are: com, gov, edu, mil, org, net, and so forth.

The server also identifies your host name. Again, this is generally an identification of the Internet Service Provider you use.

None of the above information identifies you as a specific customer nor does it provide any phone numbers, names, e-mail or postal addresses. In essence, we can identify where you came from, in terms of internet access, but cannot determine who you are or where you are specifically located. We get no personal information of any kind.

The above information is used for web site management purposes only and can in no way be used to identify you.

Voluntarily Provided Information

We collect no information on customers who visit our web pages. However, if you elect to use some of the features of our pages, then you will be voluntarily providing information to us. There are only two ways in which this is done.

The first is via e-mail. Should you choose to send comments to us or to use one of our e-mail links, then you will actually be sending us an e-mail message. In the message header we will receive your return e-mail address. We will use that return address to respond back to you if a response is appropriate. Further, it is possible that you might include personal information in your message to us. If that is the case, we will use that information in responding to you.

The second way is that you might fill out a form on the site which is then transmitted to us. If the form asks for information covered by the Privacy Act, then the appropriate Privacy Act notice will be included with that form. The information will be used only for the stated purpose.

General Policy

Regardless of how we obtain information about you, that information is never sold or provided to another source for any purpose. You will never be contacted by us or anyone else simply because you visited our site. We only contact you if you ask us to do so or subscribe to our mailing list.

The transmission of information to the FLETC via the web page is not secure. We do not currently have the capability of transferring information in a secure environment.

Point of Contact for Clarification

For clarification or additional information, you may contact the FLETC Disclosure Officer.

The postal address is:

Disclosure Officer
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
1131 Chapel Crossing Road
Glynco, GA 31524
Building 94

The phone number is (912) 261-4524.

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs commercial software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage.

• Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Raw data logs are used for no other purposes and are scheduled for regular destruction in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration guidelines.
• Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.

Cookies

"Cookies" are small bits of text that are either used for the duration of a session ("session cookies") or saved on a user's hard drive-in order to identify that user, or information about that user, the next time the user logs on to a Web site ("persistent cookies"). The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Web site and its component sites do not use persistent cookies. Certain pages on the Center’s Web site and its component sites use session cookies to provide streamlined navigation and for statistical analysis. We also use session cookies as part of a voluntary web customer satisfaction survey that will appear to a small percentage of our Web site visitors as they leave the Center’s site. Session cookies are deleted from the Center’s servers soon after your session ends and are not collected or saved. You can set up your Web browser to inform you when cookies are set or to prevent cookies from being set. You can still use our Web site if you do not accept the cookies, but you may be unable to use certain cookie-dependent features.

Site Links

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers links to many websites created and maintained by other public and/or private organizations. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers provides these links as a service to our users. When users link to an outside website, they are leaving the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers site and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the outside website(s).

Prohibitions

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers will not link to any website that exhibits hate, bias or discrimination. Furthermore, we reserve the right to deny or remove any link that contains misleading information or unsubstantiated claims or is determined to be in conflict with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers mission or policies.

Disclaimer of Endorsement

The information posted on the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers website includes hypertext links or pointers to information created and maintained by other public and/or private organizations. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers provides these links and pointers solely for our users' information and convenience. When users select a link to an outside website, they are leaving the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers site and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the outside website. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers:

• does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of information contained on a linked website.

• does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.
• does not and cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked websites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked website.
• is not responsible for transmissions users receive from linked websites.
• does not guarantee that outside websites comply with the requirements of Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.

Copyright Status

No copyright may be claimed for any work on this web site that was created or maintained by Federal employee in the course of their duties. Images and text appearing on this web site may be freely copied. Credit is requested. If copyrighted material appears on the site, or is reached through a link on this site, the copyright holder must be consulted before the material may be reproduced.

Official Seal, Names and Symbols

Federal law prohibits use of any symbol, emblem, seal, insignia or badge of any entity of the Department of Homeland Security or any colorable imitation of such words, initials, symbols, emblems, or seals in connection with any advertisement, solicitation, business activity, or product where such use could reasonably be interpreted as conveying the false impression that such advertisement, solicitation, business activity, or product is in any manner approved, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by, or associated with, the Department of the Treasury or any organization within the Department of Homeland Security. See 18 U.S.C. § 701, 31 U.S.C. § 333 and 31 C.F.R. Part 37.

Privacy Policy
 

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) disseminates a variety of information to the public. Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 [Public Law 106-554] requires Federal agencies to issue guidelines ensuring and maximizing the quality, utility, objectivity, and integrity of disseminated information.

Background

While Federal agencies have disseminated information to the public for decades, that information was principally disseminated by making paper copies. Now, however, the Internet has changed that way of communicating.

The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requires the agency Chief Information Officer (CIO) must manage information resources to "improve the integrity, quality, and utility of information to all users within and outside the agency, including capabilities for ensuring dissemination of public information, public access to government information, and protections for privacy and security." Section 515 builds upon the existing Government-wide responsibility to ensure information quality.

Purpose

This guidance is used to ensure and maximize the quality of disseminated information. These guidelines are based on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2001, January 3, 2002, and February 22, 2002. Refer to (Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies), 10 pages, 162 kb.

Scope

This document provides the process that the FLETC will use for disseminating quality information.

Disseminated information refers to information FLETC posts on the Internet. This information may be disseminated to the public in any medium including textual, graphic, narrative, numerical, or audiovisual forms. This also includes information where the FLETC directs a third party to distribute information.

The guidelines do not override other compelling interests such as privacy, trade secrets, intellectual property, and other confidential protections, nor do they create or establish any legal rights.

These guidelines do not apply to hyperlinks to information (non-FLETC sources) that others disseminate. In addition, the guidelines do not apply to opinions where the FLETC makes it clear that the material is an opinion or the agency’s view rather than fact. Further, the guidelines do not apply to information disseminated in the following contexts:

• Intra- or inter-agency use or sharing of government information.
• Correspondence with individual persons, press releases, archival records, public filings, subpoenas or adjudicative processes.
• Response to requests for agency records under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, or other similar laws.
• Information presented to Congress (as part of the legislative or oversight processes, e.g., testimony of officials, information or drafting assistance provided to Congress in connection with pending or proposed legislation) that is not simultaneously disseminated to the public; and
• Procedural, operational, policy and internal manuals prepared for the management and operations of the FLETC that are not primarily intended for public dissemination.

Administrative Complaint Process

This section establishes an administrative complaint process allowing affected persons to seek and obtain, where appropriate, timely correction of information maintained and disseminated by the FLETC. This administrative complaint process has been designed to be flexible, appropriate to the nature and timeliness of the disseminated information and incorporated into FLETC’s information resources management and administrative practices.

Any "affected person" ("Person") may request from the FLETC the timely correction of information that the FLETC has disseminated. For the purposes of these guidelines, affected persons are persons who may benefit or be harmed by the disseminated information. This includes persons who are seeking to address information about themselves as well as persons who use the disseminated information.

Documents and information disseminated but neither authored by the FLETC nor adopted as representing the FLETC's views are not covered by these guidelines.

If an affected person believes that disseminated information does not conform to Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of Homeland Security, or FLETC's guidelines, that person may submit a written request for correction to the Disclosure Officer at the following address:

Information Quality Correction Request

Disclosure Officer
1131 Chapel Crossing Road
Glynco, GA 31524
Building 94, Suite 200

The request should include the following information:

1. Description of the information deemed to need correction.
2. Manner disseminated and, if available, date of dissemination.
3. Specific error(s) cited for correction and proposed correction or remedy, if any.
4. Manner in which the information does not comply with the information quality guidelines.
5. How the person was affected and how correction would benefit them.
6. Supporting documentary evidence, such as comparable data or research results on the same topic, which will help in evaluating the merits of the request.
7. The person’s contact information for the agency replies on whether and how correction will be made.

Privacy Act Notice:

We are authorized to collect the information you provide under section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law No. 106-554, codified at 44 U.S.C. § 3516, note). It is needed to process your request and allow us to reply accordingly. You do not have to furnish the information, but failure to do so may prevent your request from being processed. The information you furnish is primarily used for any purpose other than to process and respond to your request. However, the FLETC may disclose information you give (e.g., to Congressional office) if authorized or required by Federal law.

If the appropriate responsible official determines that a request does not reasonably describe the disseminating information source and the information the Person asserts to be incorrect, that official will either advise the Person what additional information is needed to identify the particular information or otherwise state why the request is insufficient.

The FLETC will not review requests for correction under these guidelines if:

• The request itself is deemed "frivolous," including those for which a response would be duplicative of existing processes, or otherwise unnecessary, or unduly burdensome. More information on this subject may be found in the Federal Register (Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies) February 22, 2002.
• The party that submitted the request is not an "affected person."
• The responsible officials should respond to requests for correction within 60 calendar days of receipt. When the request requires an extended period of time for processing, the FLETC will notify the Person.
• If the request is approved, the FLETC will take corrective action. The FLETC will notify the Person whether a request is approved or not. The FLETC may, on a case-by-case basis, elect not to correct some completed information products due to administrative considerations.

Appeal Process

In the event Persons are not satisfied with the FLETC's determination, they may appeal the decision. The availability of an appeal process will be included in the notification issued during the request process.

After the Person receives a response or decision from the agency on the request, the Person must send their appeal of the ruling within 45 calendar days of the date of the FLETC’s notification.

Appeals should be sent in writing to the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) at the following address:

Information Quality Appeal
Deputy Chief Information Officer
1131 Chapel Crossing Road
Glynco, GA 31524
Building: 94, Suite 200

Appeals for reconsideration should contain the following information:

1. An indication that the Person is seeking an appeal of a FLETC decision on a previously submitted request for a correction of information, including the date of the original submission and date of the FLETC notification.
2. Name and contact information. Organizations submitting an appeal should identify an individual as a contact.
3. An explanation of why the Person disagrees with the agency decision, and, if possible, a recommendation of corrective action.
4. A copy of the initial request for the correction of information.

The DCIO will respond to appeals within 60 calendar days receipt. If the appeal requires an extended period of time for processing, the FLETC will notify the Person.

The DCIO will consider the request, agency response, appeal, and any other documents in the record. Upon reaching a decision, the DCIO will notify the Person in writing of the final disposition of his or her request. If the DCIO reverses an initial adverse decision, the matter will be referred to the appropriate function for corrective action to be taken. However, the FLETC may, on a case-by-case basis, elect not to correct some completed information products due to administrative considerations.

Laws, Regulations, and References

• Public Law 106-554; H.R. 5658, "Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001, Section 515."
• Public Law 104-13, "Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995."
• Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 8200.1 (Information Quality)
• (Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies) February 22, 2002

Intellectual property rights theft is not a victimless crime. It threatens U.S. businesses, and robs hard-working Americans of their jobs, which negatively impacts the economy.  Counterfeit, adulterated, and substandard goods can also pose public health and safety risks for consumers.

Protecting our Nation Through Partnerships

• Section 207 of the E-Gov Act

Comments and Suggestions

• Send a message using our online form, or

• Submit written comments by postal mail to:

  U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  Web Content Inventory
  Office of Public Affairs
  Washington, DC 20528

Categories of Information Disseminated by Homeland Security via Websites

• Column 1 lists the categories of information Homeland Security disseminates via websites.
• Column 2 indicates the priority Homeland Security assigns to web publication of each category.
  • Priority 1: Urgent, public emergency and safety information.
  • Priority 2: Time-sensitive information.
  • Priority 3: Information of interest to a broad spectrum of website audiences OR to key stakeholders.
  • Priority 4: Other information.
• Column 3 indicates the publication schedule for the category.