ICMA Code of Ethics
Promoting an ethical culture in local government management has been at the very core of ICMA’s mission since the membership adopted the first ICMA Code of Ethics (Code) in 1924. The Code expresses the professional and personal conduct expected of ICMA members as well as defines the values that serve as the basis for building and maintaining trust in the local government management profession.
Applicability
As a condition for joining ICMA, an individual agrees to adhere the Code. An ICMA member in service to a local government, or special district, municipal league, or council of governments regardless of whether it is on a full-time, part-time, or interim basis, or as an intern must comply with the entire Code. Members who are working in another field, students, or retirees must follow Tenets 1 (Democracy) and Tenet 3 (Integrity). Tenet 7 (Political Activity) does not apply to elected officials.
ICMA has no jurisdiction to review the conduct of non-members. Before proceeding to file an ethics complaint with ICMA, please verify the membership status of the individual through the Who’s Who database. There will be a banner indicating “ICMA Member” for those current members. Please note many individuals have created a profile in Who’s Who but this does not necessarily mean the individual is a member of ICMA.
The following individuals are eligible to submit a complaint:
- Current ICMA member(s);
- Current state/country association member(s); or
- An individual who is not a member and possesses first-hand knowledge of the alleged conduct, e.g. the member’s employee(s) or a representative(s) of the member’s governing body.
Confidentiality
ICMA reminds members to uphold the confidentiality of an ethics review, as stated in ICMA’s Code of Ethics under Tenet 3:
“Guideline on Confidentiality. Members should not discuss or divulge information with anyone about pending or completed ethics cases, except as specifically authorized by the Rules of Procedure for Enforcement of the Code of Ethics.”
ICMA reminds complainants of Section V.D. Initiation of Procedures in the Rules: “The respondent’s right to confidentiality means the complainant, CPC and Board members, the association president or fact-finding committee members, as applicable, or others who may be aware of the complaint shall not discuss or divulge information with anyone about pending or completed ethics cases, except when the Board has determined public censure is the appropriate sanction. If the respondent does not have the benefit of confidentiality, the CPC may not process the complaint.”
Questions
ICMA encourages individuals who have questions about filing an official complaint to contact Jessica Cowles, ethics director, at jcowles@icma.org.
