Ethical standards, regardless of how eloquently stated, are reduced to meaningless words if they are not enforced. Lacking a means to hold individuals accountable for their conduct, these standards become “suggestions” about what’s appropriate conduct rather than requirements.

ICMA’s structured peer review process adds the essential ingredient of accountability. While governing bodies can appoint anyone to the position of city, county, or town manager, when an ICMA member holds that position, there is the added benefit of knowing that the individual is subject to the high standards of the ICMA Code of Ethics and the enforcement process.

Similarly, organizations have wide latitude in choosing a deputy, assistant, department director, or other professional with the best skills, knowledge, and abilities to do the job. When they select an ICMA member or require the new staff member to join ICMA, there is both a commitment to high ethical standards and the teeth to go with it.

Some standards are clear cut and easy to uphold. At its February meeting, the ICMA Executive Board voted to publicly censure two members and remove any future option of being part of ICMA.

Rick Seaton, former assistant chief administrative officer to the mayor, Shreveport, Louisiana, admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse in the mayor’s office. This was a clear case of disgraceful, inappropriate, and highly unprofessional conduct. Colleen Lawry, former city administrator, Gretna, Nebraska, pled no-contest to two misdemeanor theft charges and one misdemeanor charge of official misconduct for stealing $1,000 from a senior center fund to pay for personal items. Theft and misuse of public resources fall into the “zero tolerance” category for the profession.

More challenging to consider and deliberate are the professional transgressions: conduct that might appear to be okay to the general public and even to elected officials but not what our profession can support.

At the February meeting, the ICMA Executive Board also voted to publicly censure Matthew Spoor, city manager, Safety Harbor, Florida. Spoor resigned as Safety Harbor city manager in order to take a position with the city of St. Petersburg. After serving in that role for six weeks, Spoor decided to leave and explored the option of returning to his previous position as city manager for Safety Harbor. While Spoor was considering his options, he contacted two of the city manager finalists in Safety Harbor, which resulted in one of the candidates withdrawing from the process. (It should be noted that in Florida there is broad disclosure of the names of applicants and candidates for public office.)

The board concluded that Spoor inappropriately interfered in the recruitment process. The city council in Safety Harbor ultimately decided to bring Spoor back to the city to serve as the manager. That was certainly their prerogative. But from a professional perspective, Spoor’s conduct failed to uphold the integrity standards outlined in Tenets 2, 3, and 4 of the ICMA Code of Ethics. First of all, he had an ethical obligation to ensure that making the change to St. Petersburg would be a good professional fit where he would commit to rendering the professional tenure of two years. When Spoor failed in that effort, he should have limited his interaction in the Safety Harbor recruitment process to those elected and appointed officials who contacted him.

ICMA members are encouraged to report incidents of unethical conduct of peers. In 2004, this guideline was added to the Code: “When becoming aware of a possible violation of the ICMA Code of Ethics, members are encouraged to report the matter to ICMA. In reporting the matter, members may choose to go on record as the complainant or report the matter on a confidential basis.”

See something that raises a significant question as to a colleague’s integrity or fitness for public office? See conduct that is damaging to the reputation of other professionals and to the profession? Then you should report it in good faith to ICMA, even knowing that you might not have all the facts. Allow an objective peer review process to sort out the facts and reach an independent judgment.

Members are encouraged to read the ICMA Code of Ethics with Guidelines and to seek advice when unsure about their ethical obligations by contacting Martha Perego, ICMA director of ethics at 202-962-3668 or mperego@icma.org or Jared Dailey, program manager, at 202-962-3557 or jdailey@icma.org. Ethics advice, information, and the ICMA Code of Ethics are available here.