An Ethical Private Investigator
- Shall provide professional services in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
- Shall observe, and adhere to the precepts of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness.
- Shall be truthful, diligent, and honorable in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
- Shall honor each client contract, adhering to all responsibilities by providing ethical services within the limits of the law.
- Shall safeguard confidential information and exercise the utmost care to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of such information.
- Shall refrain from improper and unethical solicitation of business; including false or misleading claims or advertising.
- Shall use due diligence to insure that all employees and co-workers adhere to this same code of ethical conduct; respecting all persons, performing the job diligently and working within the limits of the law.
- Shall never knowingly cause harm or defame the professional reputation or practice of colleagues, clients, owners, the company, or any employee of the company.
- Shall never undertake an assignment that is contrary to the Constitution of the United States of America or the security interests of this country.
- Shall perform all assignments and case examinations in a moral, ethical, and legal manner.
- Shall NOT knowingly make a false statement of material facts.
- Shall provide only those services which I am competent to perform.
- Shall respect and protect confidential and privileged client information except in those instances contrary to state or federal law.
- Shall strictly observe the precepts of truth, accuracy and prudence.
- Shall never directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation, or prospects of another Professional Investigator.
- Shall strive to strengthen the IAPI association by recommending recruitment of those Professional Investigators who are qualified and whose business operations are conducted in an honest and legitimate manner.
- Shall NOT commit an act that reflects adversely on my honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as an investigator in other respects;
- Shall, at all times, demonstrate the highest degree of Integrity during the performance of an investigation.
- Shall not reveal any confidential information or records of same without proper authorization to do so.
- Shall cooperate with all recognized and responsible law enforcement and government agencies in matters within their Jurisdiction.