Sep. 15, 2006 -- In light of continued illegal and unethical behavior within the U.S. Intelligence Community and other government departments and agencies, our "Unknown SIGINTer" thought it would be appropriate to remind federal government employees of the Code of Ethics they swore to uphold. Special attention should be directed to #9.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE
ANY PERSON IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE SHOULD:
1. PUT LOYALTY TO THE HIGHEST MORAL PRINCIPLES AND TO COUNTRY ABOVE LOYALTY TO PERSONS, PARTY, OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
2. UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF ALL GOVERNMENTS THEREIN AND NEVER BE A PARTY TO
THEIR EVASION.
3. GIVE A FULL DAY'S LABOR FOR A FULL DAY'S PAY; GIVING EARNEST EFFORT AND BEST THOUGHT TO THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES.
4. SEEK TO FIND AND EMPLOY MORE EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL WAYS OF GETTING TASKS ACCOMPLISHED.
5. NEVER DISCRIMINATE UNFAIRLY BY THE DISPENSING OF SPECIAL FAVORS OR PRIVILEGES TO ANYONE, WHETHER FOR REMUNERATION OR NOT; AND NEVER ACCEPT, FOR HIMSELF OR HERSELF OR FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, FAVORS OR BENEFITS UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MIGHT BE CONSTRUED BY REASONABLE PERSONS AS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENTAL DUTIES.
6. MAKE NO PRIVATE PROMISES OF ANY KIND BINDING UPON THE DUTIES OF OFFICE, SINCE A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE HAS NO PRIVATE WORD WHICH CAN BE BINDING ON PUBLIC DUTY.
7. ENGAGE IN NO BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, WHICH IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE CONSCIENTIOUS PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT DUTIES.
8. NEVER USE ANY INFORMATION GAINED CONFIDENTIALLY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENTAL DUTIES AS A MEANS OF MAKING PRIVATE PROFIT.
9. EXPOSE CORRUPTION WHEREVER DISCOVERED.
10. UPHOLD THESE PRINCIPLES, EVER CONSCIOUS THAT PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST.
