(a) It is the policy of the Department of Justice to seek to eliminate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, or physical or mental handicap in employment within the Department and to assure equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

(b) No person shall be subject to retaliation for opposing any practice prohibited by the above policy or for participating in any stage of administrative or judicial proceedings related to this policy.