These changes are a direct result of suggestions and contributions from executive management, program coordinators, and nearly 1,000 managers and supervisors. Improvements to the program will serve to enhance the value of SIP while not losing the intent of the program, namely building accountability and fostering integrity throughout the Service. "These changes, largely expressed by the managers of the Service, will take SIP to the next level of efficiency and effectiveness," says Mark Draskovic, Director, MID, Office of Internal Affairs.

In June 2001, Deputy Commissioner Charles Winwood directed the Office of Internal Affairs to conduct a full-scale review of SIP. This review involved assembling an executive review group, interviewing executive management, and surveying Customs managers and supervisors on SIP topics. MID analyzed approximately 1,000 survey responses and the message was clear: SIP has become too burdensome and as a result has diminished the effectiveness of the program.

While the majority of respondents commented that SIP has enhanced accountability and professional integrity, the large majority indicated that the costs have outweighed the benefits of the program. Common themes in the survey responses included the frequency of inspections, quality of worksheets, and the rote nature of the program.

MID will implement these changes in the cycle beginning July 2002. In the current SIP cycle (July 2001 to June 2002), only national security and officer safety worksheets will be completed. The Self-Inspection Reporting System (SIRS) will be available for input in the current cycle from May 1, 2002 to June 30, 2002.

MID and the executive review group greatly appreciate the contributions of all managers and supervisors and are confident that the upcoming changes will better meet the needs of all Customs Service employees.

Program changes The executive review group presented its findings and recommendations to Deputy Commissioner Winwood in September 2001. Here is a brief summary of the proposed changes. Frequency and risk application: Worksheets will now fall into one of three tiers based on an evaluation of their program risks and past SIP and MID inspection performance.   Program Risk Performance = Frequency Tier I Critical Importance Noncompliant Yearly for all Tier II Critical Importance Compliant Yearly for some Tier III Less Critical Importance Noncompliant/ Compliant Less than yearly for some Worksheet placement will vary from year to year based on risk and prior performance. Offices targeted to complete worksheets in Tiers II and III may also vary each cycle. Worksheet revisions: Worksheets are in the process of being revised, with special consideration given to survey comments and prior worksheet results. Less significant questions that have provided little value will be removed from the worksheets MID inspections: A number of survey respondents commented that MID has become too "nitpicky" in its inspection findings. MID will reexamine its inspection methodology to add tolerance levels where possible. Report cards: As a result of comments from executive management, MID will begin publishing a report card each cycle to all Customs offices summarizing Service-wide SIP results and providing trend analyses on program performance over time.