ACN 012/19 - FEB 19 UPDATED PROCEDURE IN SUSPECTED INCIDENTS OF HARASSMENT, HATE, HAZING AND BULLYING

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/15/2019 05:44 PM EST

united states coast guard

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                           CANCEL DATE  14 FEB 2020

R 151732 FEB 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H/CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05350//
ACN 012/19
SUBJ:  UPDATED PROCEDURE IN SUSPECTED INCIDENTS OF HARASSMENT, HATE, HAZING AND BULLYING
A. Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual, COMDTINST M5350.4 (series)
B. Discipline and Conduct, COMDTINST M1600.2 (series)
C. Administrative Investigations Manual, COMDTINST M5830.1 (series)
1. This ACN explains changes to the Coast Guard Anti-Harassment and Hate Incidents Procedure,
outlined in REF (A), and response to potential hazing and bullying incidents outlined in REF (B).
Harassment is a form of discrimination including unwelcome conduct that has the purpose or
effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance, or creating an intimidating,
offensive or hostile environment on the basis of an individual’s protected status, which includes: race,
color, religion, national origin, sex (this includes gender, sexual harassment, gender identity, sexual
orientation, and pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, marital or parental status, political
affiliation, reprisal for participation in Equal Employment Opportunity/Equal Opportunity (EEO/EO)
activity, and any other basis protected by law and policy. Hate is a form of harassment that targets an
individual or groups of individuals or properties with the intent or likely effect of intimidation or
incitement. Offenders are motivated, in whole or in part, by their bias against a protected group. 
2.  Hazing is abuse of an individual for the purpose of inclusion and bullying is abuse for the purpose of
exclusion.  Hazing and bullying can be harassment as defined in REF (A).
3.  REFs (A), (B) and (C) provide CG policies, processes and procedures for responding to
allegations of harassment, bullying and hazing. These procedural changes specifically outlined in
paragraph 4 of this message affect Chapter 2.C.1.f of REF (A), and Chapter 3.C.1 of REF (B)
which prescribe the method by which commands account for their findings and actions following
investigations of harassment and/or hate incidents. Managers are cautioned not to share protected
complaint information, which could be considered as retaliation.
4. In addition to the requirements of Chapter 3.C.1 of REF (B), COs/OICs are responsible for
notifying the next level in their chain of command and the servicing Civil Rights Service Provider (CRSP)
of the findings and outcomes of harassment, hate, hazing, and bullying inquiries. The CO/OIC will
forward administrative investigations and document in writing stating the reasons for findings and outcomes.
5. These changes will be incorporated into the next editions of REFs (A) and (B).
6. For Civil Rights questions please contact your local Civil Rights Service Provider, a list of which can be
found at www.uscg.mil/hq/civilrights. For Military personnel policy questions please send emails to
hqs-policyandstandards@uscg.mil. For Civilian personnel policy questions please send emails to
USCGOfficeofCivilianHR@uscg.mil.
7. Released by Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate and RADM W.G. Kelly, Assistant
Commandant for Human Resources.
8. Internet release authorized.