Code of Conduct for Private Investigators

A Code of Professional Standards is pivotal in promoting and maintaining moral and ethical fortitude and goes hand in hand with the general uplift and professionalisation of private investigators and those individuals and firms that conduct investigative type work.

Our Code of Conduct for the provision of Investigatory Services, drawn up using existing Codes of Conduct and Ethics is as follows:

1: PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND DILIGENTLY CARRY OUT THEIR ROLES IN WAYS WHICH ENSURE THAT THEY: Verify the credentials of clients to ensure that they have lawful and moral reasons to request an investigation.

2: {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} AGREE IN ADVANCE WITH CLIENTS THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE AND THE FEES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS WHICH WILL APPLY.

3: {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} Act with honesty, integrity and must not compromise their position. {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} DEAL WITH CLIENTS AND OTHERS WITH DISCRETION AND COURTESY AND IN WAYS WHICH DO NOT BRING THE REPUTATION OF EITHER THEMSELVES IN PARTICULAR OR THEIR PROFESSION IN GENERAL, INTO DISREPUTE.

4. {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} RESPECT AND PROTECT CLIENTS’ AND OTHERS’ PRIVACY AND LAWFUL CONFIDENTIALITY, INCLUDING USING APPROPRIATE AND PROPORTIONATE INVESTIGATIVE AND SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES.

5. {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} Conduct all investigations within the bounds of Legality, Morality and Professional Ethics.

6. {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} ACCEPT ONLY THOSE COMMISSIONS WHICH THEY CONSIDER THEMSELVES QUALIFIED TO CARRY OUT.

7. {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} PROMOTE THROUGH THEIR GENERAL DEMEANOUR AND IN DEALING WITH CLIENTS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, COLLEAGUES AND THE AUTHORITIES, THE PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY OF THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATION COMMUNITY.

8 {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS} Are to act with self control and tolerance, treating everyone with whom they come into contact, during the course of their activities, with respect, fairness and courtesy.

9. {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} Act with fairness and impartiality. They will not discriminate unlawfully on the grounds of sex, race, colour, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, disability, age, sexual orientation, property, birth or other status.

10. {PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD} Challenge and when appropriate take action or report breaches of this code and the improper conduct of colleagues.

The above mentioned Code of Conduct has been created by amalgamating existing Standards and Codes:

“{PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD}” Taken from: Standards of Behaviour for Private Investigators and Precognition Agents drawn up by the Security Industry Authority

“with fairness and impartiality” Taken from the Association of British Investigators Code of Ethics and Professional Standards

“professional ethics”  Taken from the Institute of Professional Investigators Code of Ethics.

Kevin J Regan
Burton Regan Limited
Vicarage Chambers
9 Park Square East
Leeds
LS1 2LH
0113 270 7500



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