Membership Code of Conduct

Updated: December 2024

Introduction

Members of the IACA should always strive to maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism and avoid any conduct that would reasonably be regarded as disgraceful, dishonorable, unprofessional, misleading, or deceptive.  Additionally, members should demonstrate fairness, honesty, and respect in their treatment of others.

Members will:

  • Exhibit the highest standards of personal integrity and professional propriety during all association interactions in person and online, including meetings and training events, in accordance with IACA Bylaws, procedures, policies, and this Code of Conduct.
  • Report violations of IACA Bylaws, procedures, policies, and/or Code of Conduct to the Ethics Committee Chairperson ([email protected]).
  • Be truthful and timely in all forms of communication with the IACA Executive Board, committee members, and other IACA members.
  • Notify the IACA VP of Membership (iaca[email protected]) immediately if you have direct knowledge of a member who has been charged or convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude.  Crimes of moral turpitude include but are not limited to illegal pornography, forgery, fraud, embezzlement, illicit drug abuse or distribution, theft, bribery, kidnapping, or assault.
  • Understand it is their responsibility to remain current to all IACA Bylaws, policy, and protocol changes.

Members will not:

  • Conduct themselves in any way that diminishes public trust and confidence or detracts from the integrity of the crime analysis profession or reputation of IACA.
  • Engage in, or associate with business contacts or persons who are known to engage in criminal, dishonest, or disreputable personal conduct; or engage in any activities that might adversely affect the reputation of the IACA and/or an IACA member.
  • Engage in unauthorized information release concerning ongoing or prospective criminal cases, intelligence operations, sensitive law enforcement information or personal data or information relating to IACA members.
  • Knowingly make false or misleading statements, or conceal material facts, in any IACA interaction.
  • Purposely provide false or misleading information concerning their academic background, analytic experience, professional qualifications, or standing with IACA.
  • Engage in any form of illegal activity.
  • Publicly denigrate IACA, its members, or the crime analysis profession.
  • Discriminate against others based on race, sex, age, creed, national origin, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
  • Participate in any form of sexual harassment towards an IACA member or IACA affiliate.
  • Misuse, or release to anyone without authorization, any sensitive or proprietary IACA material, including official logo, membership records, administrative proceedings, official documents and publications, training materials, or other non-public data.
  • Participate in or publicly endorse, any group or organization that demeans the goals, objectives, credibility, reputation, goodwill, or dignity of IACA.

Conclusion

There are times when IACA’s business activities and other conduct of its members are not governed by specific laws or regulations.  In these instances, rules of fairness, honesty, and respect for the rights of others will govern our conduct at all times.

Members of the association might be members of other organizations with their own code of conduct, which at times might dictate different courses of action.  Our Code of Conduct attempts to clarify the present thinking of the International Association of Crime Analysts regarding the expectations of the membership.  Each individual member of IACA must evaluate the specific situation and take responsibility for his or her actions.

Failure to adhere to this Code of Conduct may result in a complaint to the Ethics Committee Chairperson for further review, according to their committee charter.  In extreme cases, membership may be suspended by the IACA Executive Board pending formal determination and/or recommendation by the Ethics Committee.  In such cases, the member will be notified by the VP of Membership.

Download a PDF of Code of Conduct