Alberta Association of Private Investigators

The Alberta Association of Private Investigators will encourage and foster the highest ethical standards to promote and inspire confidence in the profession.

The Alberta Association of Private Investigators adopts the following Code of Ethics and mandates its acceptance and observance by its members.

All work will be performed with due diligence in a responsible and professional manner.

Each member will maintain confidentiality of information.

Each member will work in accordance with the law.

Each member will ensure that all persons paid to assist in investigations are advised of this Code of Ethics and that they are expected to adhere to it.

Each member will strive to determine that a client has a legitimate purpose to instruct an investigation.

1.1 ) Maintain appropriate License requirerments.

1.2 ) Conduct investigations in accordance to the law.

1.3 ) Comply with all lawful orders of the courts and testify to matters truthfully, accurately and without bias or prejudice.

1.4 ) Refrain from insinuating or representing oneself as a member of Law Enforcement.

1.5 ) Consider all legal issues raised during the course of an investigation and review these with the client.

2.1 ) Pledge to maintain confidentiality of the information gathered during the course of an investigation subject to the agreement with the client and/or as required by law.

2.2 ) Treat with discretion and respect those whom we are called upon to investigate. Ensure that contact with anyone regarding the investigated individual is discreet, respectful, non-threatening and non-judgemental.

3.1 ) Submit to the client objective, unbiased complete reports, including all relevant information.

3.2 ) Refrain from creating evidence, by having a person engage in any activity or action they would not normally do, thus incriminating themselves falsely.

3.3 ) Ensure the accuracy of all photographs, video or audio evidence obtained during the course of the investigation.

3.4 ) Ensure that anyone under the age of majority is interviewed in the presence of and/or with the permission of their legal guardian.

3.5 ) Make reports of progress to the client by the method and with the regularity previously agreed upon.

3.6 ) Refrain from accepting referals where a potential conflict of interest exists.

3.7 ) No member will at any time make false or misleading claims to professional qualifications not possessed.

3.8 ) Engage in marketing that is factually accurate and avoid exaggerated claims as to costs or results.

3.9 ) Members will ensure that, prior to accepting an engagement, all objectives of the client are understood and that the client is fully aware of anticipated costs and completion of assignment.

3.10 ) Will employ only licensed investigators in all aspects of investigative work except in an administrative capacity.

3.11 ) Co-operate with law enforcement and governmental agencies without breaching client confidentiality.

4.1 ) Not deny equal professional services or employment to any person for reasons of multicultural diversity and physical challenges. Members shall not be party to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of the above.

4.2 ) Be obligated to report any breaches of legal, ethical or questionable conduct on the part of a member where it is believed such conduct will bring discredit and/or be detrimental to it's members.

4.3 ) Comply with the instructions from a referring firm:

a ) Refrain from contacting the referring firm's client without permission.

b ) Pay promptly for all work conducted by other investigative firms.

c ) Any inference regarding competitors must be rendered with strict professional integrity and courtesy.

4.4 ) Will not use any information obtained during the course of an investigation for personal gain or personal advantage.

6.1 ) Comply with the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice of the Association as amended from time to time and with any order or resolution of the Board of Directors or it's committees under the Bylaws or the Alberta Association of Private Investigators.

6.2 ) Not make false or malicious statements about another Association member.

6.3 ) Be subject to disciplinary action for any offence which constitutes a breach of professional conduct, as stipulated in the Association Bylaws.

6.4 ) Ensure all dues will be paid in full. Failure to renew membership may result in the removal of the member from the Association.

6.5 ) Have membership denied or revolked if obtained by means of fraud and/or other irregularity. A member shall notify the Association immediately regarding a person who has obtained membership by means of fraud or other irregularity.

6.6 ) Comply with a requests of the Board of Directors of the Alberta Association of Private Investigators to produce within a reasonable time frame, any requested information in the members possesion, custody or control, in matters related to potential breaches of the Association Bylaws, Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, notwithstanding the rules governing confidentialily or the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

6.7 ) Not make public statements or comments that may be interpreted as representing the Alberta Association of Private Investigators or it's views, except when authorized by the Board of Directors to act as an official for the Association.

6.8 ) Maintain adequate liability insurance.