Inspector-General Functions

Australia

Canada

New Zealand

South Africa

UK ISC

USA

Ensures compliance with current legislation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Ensures compliance with standards of propriety

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Carries out audits, investigations and inspections

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Prevents and detects waste, fraud and abuse

No

No

No

I/U

No

Yes

Promotes economy, effectiveness and efficiency

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Reviews compliance with executive directives and operational policies

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

Ensures compliance with warrant authorisations

Yes

I/U

Yes

No

No

No

Reviews operational activities

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Reviews pending legislation and regulation

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Reports regularly to the agency head(s)

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Reports regularly to executive, legislature or oversight commission

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Reports in response to requests by legislature or oversight commission

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Investigates complaints about the agency

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Ensures proper regard to human rights

Yes

No

No

I/U

Yes

Yes

Ensures compliance with regulations on release of records & information

Yes

No

No

I/U

No

Yes

Is immune from arbitrary sacking

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Hires and controls own staff and contract resources

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Has ready access to the agency head(s)

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Has access to all records and information of the agency

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Initiates investigations on own initiative

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Issues subpoenas for information/documents outside the agency

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Administers oaths for taking testimony

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes