Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 5505.17
December 19, 2012
Incorporating Change 1, Effective November 29, 2016
IG DoD
SUBJECT: Collection, Maintenance, Use, and Dissemination of Personally Identifiable
Information and Law Enforcement Information by DoD Law Enforcement
Activities
References: See Enclosure
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction, in accordance with the guidance in DoD Directive (DoDD)
5200.27 (Reference (a)) and the authority in DoDD 5106.01 (Reference (b)), establishes policy,
assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for DoD law enforcement activities (LEAs) to
collect, maintain, use, and disseminate personally identifiable information (PII) and law
enforcement information during law enforcement functions (e.g., crime prevention, force
protection, and criminal investigations).
2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction:
a. Applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense (IG DoD), the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within the DoD (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “DoD
Components.”)
b. Applies only to DoD personnel (military and civilian) performing law enforcement
functions in accordance with Title 10 or Title 18 of the United States Code (References (c) and
(d)) or other authorities, and contractors supporting such DoD personnel.
c. Does not apply to defense intelligence or counterintelligence activities. Executive Order
12333 (Reference (e)), DoD 5240.1-R (Reference (f)), and DoDD 5240.01 (Reference (g))
govern the collection, retention, and dissemination of information concerning U.S. persons
during defense intelligence or counterintelligence activities.
d. Does not limit or supersede any provisions of current DoD Directives, Instructions, or
applicable law conferring the authority and responsibility on the DoD LEAs to enforce law,
conduct criminal investigations, or protect DoD personnel and property. However, the
