What action must be taken when a theft of government property is reported?

When a theft of government property is reported, the appropriate action to take is to make a blotter entry and complete an AF Form 3545, which is the Incident Report. This procedure ensures that the incident is officially documented and that there is a record of the theft, which is critical for accountability and further investigation.

The blotter entry serves as a quick reference for ongoing and past incidents, maintaining an official log that can be reviewed by appropriate personnel. The AF Form 3545 provides detailed information about the incident, including the nature of the theft, items involved, incident date and time, and any witnesses or evidence present. This documentation is essential for initiating an investigation and allows law enforcement or security personnel to follow up effectively, should further action be necessary.

The other options do not align with the established protocols for handling such situations. Dismissing the report neglects the importance of accountability and can lead to further issues. Contacting local authorities without record keeping misses the necessary procedures that could help in tracking the stolen property and ensuring proper reporting. Lastly, conducting an investigation before recording the incident compromises the integrity of the report and can lead to misunderstandings or mishandling of the situation.