The Designated Civilian Official (DCO) is the title of the civilian appointed to head the Office for the Administrative Review of Detained Enemy Combatants (OARDEC).[1][2][3] The DCO and OARDEC were officially created on June 23, 2004.
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Gordon England, whose primary job was then to serve as United States Secretary of the Navy, was appointed to be the first Designated Civilian Official.[1]
During the June 23, 2004 press conference where he described his new position, England was asked about how he would handle the additional responsibilities of this position, and how independent he would be[2]:
| Q |
How are you going to juggle this responsibility with being Navy secretary, though? You've got what seems to be a full plate just being Navy secretary. How are you going to do this, juggle the priorities? |
| England |
Well, we just spend the time to do it. I mean, we will do this right. Like I said, I take this very seriously, so I'll take the time necessary to do it. We just work a little harder. It will work. |
| Q |
Related to that, sir—it may be spelled out in here, I'm not sure, but when you say you make the final decision, is your final decision subject to review by the secretary, perhaps, or anyone else? |
| England | No, it's not. |
| Q | So what you say goes. |
| England | That's correct. |
England said consulted human rights groups, like the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other agencies of the United States Government, had been consulted in as the Review process was being designed.[2]