ALCOAST 282/23 - AUG 2023 ANTI-HARASSMENT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (AHPO) - PROGRAM UPDATES

R 032030Z AUG 23 MID120000346244U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 282/23
SSIC 5350
SUBJ: ANTI-HARASSMENT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (AHPO) - PROGRAM
UPDATES
A. Harassing Behavior Prevention, Response, and Accountability
COMDTINST 5350.6
1. This ALCOAST announces revisions to REF (A) and provides
amplifying guidance to assist convening authorities with meeting
the requirements of REF (A).
2. INVESTIGATING OFFICER (IO) DESIGNATION.
    a. In accordance with REF (A), convening authorities must
designate one anti-harassment and hate incident (AHHI) IO for
every 150 personnel assigned to their unit. Units with fewer than
150 but more than 50 personnel must appoint one IO and may
appoint additional IOs, if desired. Units with fewer than 50
personnel are not required to appoint an AHHI IO but are
encouraged to appoint one or more.
    b. Convening authorities must ensure their designated IO meets
the requirements in REF (A), and must submit a memorandum with
the name(s) of designated IO(s) to the AHPO. This memorandum must
be submitted to the AHPO at SMB-COMDT-AHPO@uscg.mil within 30
calendar days of publication of this ALCOAST. A template of the
AHHI IO designation memorandum is available on the AHPO
SharePoint site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/CG-133_spo/SitePages/
AHPO-ANTI-HARASSMENT.aspx

    c. Convening authorities must review their designated IOs each
Fiscal Year (FY) and notify the AHPO of any changes by 30
September.
3. REPORTING AHHI COMPLAINTS. Convening authorities that receive
an AHHI complaint must:
    a. Submit a Report of Harassment, Hate, Bullying, Hazing,
Misconduct, or Other Disruptive Behaviors, CG Form 5354A
to the AHPO at SMB-COMDT-AHPO@uscg.mil. This form shall be kept
confidential and shared only with those with a need to know,
which generally means someone with an official role under REF (A).
4. POLICY UPDATES. The following changes are incorporated into
REF (A) and will be included in the next revision to the
Instruction:
    a. Paragraph 16.f.(3) is deleted and the following paragraphs are
added as paragraphs 16.f.(2).(a) and 16.f.(2).(b), respectively:
      (1) Paragraph 16.f.(2).(a). "If CGIS investigates an allegation
that includes a complaint of harassment and provides that report
to the convening authority for disposition, the convening
authority may use the CGIS report of investigation as the basis
for its determination and proceed with the procedural steps
outlined in paragraph 16.d. The time taken by CGIS to investigate
will not be counted against the time requirements applicable to
the command investigation. If additional investigation into the
harassment allegation is required commands may convene an
administrative investigation or, as appropriate, coordinate with
CGIS to re-open the investigation."
      (2) Paragraph 16.f.(2).(b). "Relevant portions of the CGIS
investigation may be incorporated into the command's
investigation as an exhibit if the CGIS investigation is closed
and the matter has been referred to the command for disposition."
    b. The following is added as Paragraph 17.c, and all existing
subparagraphs are renumbered accordingly: "Right to Evidence. A
subject who exercises their right to appeal a substantiated
finding of harassment, bullying or other misconduct under this
policy, shall, upon request, be provided with access to a
redacted version of the investigative report. Convening
authorities must consult with their SLO before providing a
subject a copy of an investigative report."
5. These changes will be made to the next revision of REF (A),
which will be released within the next year.
6. This message is cancelled on 02 AUG 2024.
7. AHHI complaints and questions should be directed to the AHPO
at: SMB-COMDT-AHPO@uscg.mil, 1-833-403-2476.
8. Dr. D. M. Navarro, Acting Assistant Commandant for Human
Resources (CG-1), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.