Code of Ethics
The members of the New Hampshire League of Investigators have joined together in agreement that all work and professional relationships must be of the highest ethical and moral standards. Investigators shall provide professional and competent services to all clients. This Code of Professional Ethics constitutes those values agreed to by the members, by virtue of their affiliation with the NHLI. This code is to be honored and practiced as a guideline for all professional activities.
In 2007 The NH League of Investigators, Board of Government voted to adopt the National Council of Investigation and Security Service's (NCISS) code of ethics as many other professional private investigation (PI) associations have. Much of the code is the same as we have always adhered to, with some enhancements brought about by the NCISS. The NHLI is proud to be affiliated with the NCISS and we support their efforts to keep the PI field as professional as possible.
ALL MEMBERS SHALL ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING
1. A member shall provide professional services in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
2. A member shall observe and adhere to the precepts of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness.
3. A member shall be truthful, diligent, and honorable in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
4. A member shall honor each client contract, adhering to all responsibilities by providing ethical services within the limits of the law.
5. A member shall safeguard confidential information and exercise the utmost care to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of such information.
6. A member shall refrain from improper and unethical solicitation of business, including false or misleading claims or advertising.
7. A member 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.
8. A member shall never knowingly cause harm or defame the professional reputation or practice of colleagues, clients, employers, or any member of the NHLI.
9. A member shall never undertake an assignment that is contrary to the Constitution of the United States of America or the security interests of this country.
10. A member shall not misrepresent themselves as members of law enforcement.
VIOLATIONS
Any Member of the NHLI is subject to censure, suspension, or expulsion for:
1. Failure to comply with membership requirements as contained in the constitution and Bylaws or
2. Failure to disclose information or provide false information on any NHLI membership application or
3. Violation of any provision of the Constitution, the Bylaws, or the Code of Professional Ethics or
4. Conviction of a felony or
5. Conduct unbecoming a member.
COMPLAINT AND DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE
1. To help the Board of Government, hereinafter called the BOG, a two-step procedure is established. An Ethics Committee and a Board of Review are set up according to the Bylaws.
2. If the BOG receives information, from any source via a signed writing, that a member has engaged in any conduct enumerated under VIOLATIONS, the information must be forwarded to the Ethics Committee, set up for that purpose, to review and investigate the violation. If the BOG receives information from any source that a member has engaged in conduct enumerated above, the information may be forwarded to the Ethics Committee for review and investigation.
3. The Ethics Committee shall investigate and thereafter find for or against transfer to the Board of Review. If, in the opinion of the Ethics Committee, a member has engaged in any violation enumerated above, written Notice of a Hearing shall be served on the member by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, identifying the charge(s) against him or her and that the matter will be submitted to a Board of Review. If, in the opinion of the Ethics Committee, the Member has not engaged in such conduct, the matter will be closed with no further action taken.
4. Said Notice shall inform the Member of the particular section of the VIOLATIONS charged and the date, time, and place of the Board of Review hearing regarding the matter. The hearing date shall be set no earlier than fifteen (15) days after the mailing of the Notice.
5. The Notice shall inform the Member that he or she may defend him or herself against the charge(s), be represented by legal counsel, or by a designated NHLI member.
6. The Board of Review shall conduct the hearing. The Ethics Committee Chair shall prosecute the case. The Member and the Ethics Committee Chair may present evidence via witnesses and documents; they may examine and cross-examine all witnesses, and present their side of the case before the Board of Review. The Member may waive appearance at the hearing and instead answer the charges in writing.
7. Upon completion of the hearing, the Board of Review shall deliberate in private and render a written decision by majority vote within thirty (30) days.
8. The Board of Review shall render one of two decisions: the evidence indicates the specific charge is Unfounded or Sustained.
A. If Unfounded, the Board of Review will notify the Member, the person who provided the information as outlined in #2 above, the Ethics Committee, and the BOG in writing and takes no further action. The decision is final.
B. If Sustained, the Board of Review will notify the Member, the person who provided the information as outlined in #2 above, the Ethics Committee, and the BOG in writing and recommend one of the following:
1) censure/reprimand or
2) suspension or
3) expulsion.
9. The BOG will review the Board of Review findings and render their decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of the Board of Review's decision. The BOG's decision will become part of the member's permanent record.
ADMINISTRATION AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
1. The Board of Review shall consist of: one member of the BOG, appointed by the president, as the Chair; three Voting Members of the NHLI, appointed said Chair; one Member of the NHLI selected by the Member in question.
2. No member of the NHLI will serve on both the Ethics Committee and the Board of Review during the process.
3. The BOG may adopt such rule of procedure and proof of evidence as it requires hearing the matter fully and objectively.
Code of Ethic revised November 10, 2012