The Department of Defense (DoD) makes available guidance on its Civil Liberties Program. The document was first released on May 17, 2012 and was later updated in 2014. The document outlines DoD policy on protecting civil liberties and assigns responsibilities for its implementation. The original guidance was issued nearly five years after Congress called on DoD to establish a civil liberties program as recommended by the 9/11 Commission.
According to the document, it is DoD policy to:

  • “Protect the privacy and civil liberties of DoD employees, members of the Military Services, and the public to the greatest extent possible”;

  • “Consider appropriately privacy and civil liberties in the review, development, and implementation of new or existing laws, regulations, policies, and initiatives”; and

  • “Have adequate procedures to receive, investigate, respond to, and redress complaints from individuals who allege that the DoD has violated their privacy or civil liberties.”

The Defense Privacy and Civil Liberties Office (DPCLO) is responsible for implementation of most of the Civil Liberties Program. According to Federal News Radio, the DPLCO “will rely on its existing inspectors general and other internal investigative organizations” instead of creating a new enforcement apparatus to investigate claims of civil liberties violations.