Principle-centered leadership based on the highest standards of personal and professional conduct is the foundation of the local government management profession. The ICMA Code of Ethics establishes transparency, honesty, integrity, effectiveness, and accountability as the standards for excellence in democratic local governance.

As professionals committed to these values, members have a responsibility to promote ethical conduct by holding their colleagues accountable and reporting suspected unethical conduct to ICMA so that it may be objectively reviewed; failing to do so undermines the profession and the commitment to public service.  ICMA’s Rules of Procedure for Enforcement of the Code provide colleagues with the option to be anonymous in reporting an ethics concern.

Applicable Tenets and Guidelines

Tenet 3.  Demonstrate by word and action the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all public, professional, and personal relationships in order that the member may merit the trust and respect of the elected and appointed officials, employees, and the public.

GUIDELINES

Reporting Ethics Violations.  When becoming aware of a possible violation of the ICMA Code of Ethics, members are encouraged to report possible violations to ICMA. In reporting the possible violation, members may choose to go on record as the complainant or report the matter on a confidential basis.

Confidentiality. Members shall 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.

PM Magazine Articles

• In Defense of the ICMA Code of Ethics and the Complaint Review Process (October 2024)
• 10-Year Member Review Process Ensures ICMA Code of Ethics Reflects the Profession’s Principles (July 2024)
• The ICMA Code of Ethics Turns 100! (January 2024)
• Professional Standards Matter: Understanding ICMA’s Ethics Enforcement Process (August 2022)
• Accountability Matters: Understanding ICMA’s Ethics Enforcement Process (August 2021)
• 2021 Historical Timeline of the ICMA Code of Ethics
• Celebrating 95 Years of Professional Ethics (October 2019)
• Transparency vs. Confidentiality (September 2019)
• See Something, Say Something (April 2017)
• Understanding ICMA’s Ethics Enforcement Process (April 2015)
• Myths About the ICMA Code of Ethics (December 2014)
• Celebrating 90 Years of Professional Ethics (September 2014)