Ethics

Question 1

Elected Office

Answer 1

The AICP Code of Ethics does not preclude a former public-sector planner from running for elected office.

Question 2

Confidentiality

Answer 2

The AICP Code of Ethics states “We shall not use to our personal advantage, nor that of a subsequent client or employer, information gained in a professional relationship that the client or employer has requested be held inviolate or that we should recognize as confidential because its disclosure could result in embarrassment or other detriments to the client or employer.”

Question 3

Ethics Officer

Answer 3

The ethics officer is the executive director of APA/AICP. According to the AICP Code of Ethics, a violation should be reported to the AICP Ethics Officer.

Question 4

Procedure for Complaints

Answer 4

According to the AICP Code of Ethics, the Ethics Officer reviews the complaint, makes a preliminary determination, provides the complaint to the Certified Planners and then the planner responds to the complaint.

After review by the Ethics Officer the Ethics Committee can be convened to make a decision.

Question 5

Reinstating membership

Answer 5

Only the AICP Ethics Committee may reinstate an AICP Member pursuant to the procedures in Section E of the AICP Code of Ethics.

Question 6

Reporting serious crime conviction

Answer 6

“We shall not fail to immediately notify the Ethics Officer by both receipted Certified and Regular First Class Mail if we are convicted of a ‘serious crime’ as defined in Section D of the Code; nor immediately following such conviction shall we represent ourselves as Certified Planners or Members of AICP until our membership is reinstated by the AICP Ethics Committee pursuant to the procedures in Section D of the Code.”

Question 7

Forms of discipline

Answer 7

Private Letter of Censure; Public Letter of Censure; Revocation of AICP Membership;
Suspension of AICP Membership; Permanent Loss of AICP Membership

According to the AICP Code of Ethics all of these forms of discipline are possible. In addition “The Ethics Officer or the Ethics Committee may attach conditions to these disciplinary actions, such as the writing of a letter of apology, the correction of a false statement or statements, the taking of an ethics course, the refunding of money, or any other conditions deemed just in light of the conduct in question.”