Code of Ethics for Private Investigators
I. General provisions
1. This Code of Ethics defines the principles and rules of conduct of each member of the ASSOCIATION of PRIVATE DETECTIVES (SChD) to ensure professional ethics, fair competition and equality in carrying out its activities in market conditions.
2. A member of the SCHD is any natural or legal person within the meaning of Article 8 of the Statute of the SCHD.
3. A private detective is any member of the Private Detective Association working in the field of detective services in certain areas or in the full range of detective activities.
4. Each member of the SCHD declares that, in addition to the Statute, he will also comply with this Code of Ethics.
5. The norms of the Code of Ethics are equally binding for all members of the SCHD.
6. In this document, any reference to the application of a provision of the Articles of Association of the SCHD is a reference to the provision after its last amendment or introduction.
7. The Code of Ethics is subject to development and improvement.
II. Relations between members of the SCHD
6. The relations between the members of the Association are based on the principle of mutual respect, trust, tolerance, ethics and loyalty.
7. A member of a management body of a joint stock company has no right in any form to use this position to obtain any advantages or benefits for a company managed or associated with him.
III. General clauses relevant to the activities of members of the SCHD
8. All members of the SCHD, regular and associated, are obliged to strictly comply with the Laws of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Statute of the Association, the Code of Ethics of the Private Detective and the regulations for the internal order of the SCHD, for which, in addition to the sanctions provided for by law, they are also responsible to the Association.
9. In their dealings with clients and among themselves, the members of the SCHD always act honestly and openly.
10. The deliberate recruitment of trustees for the activities of another colleague, regardless of whether he is a member of the SChD or not, is considered a gross violation of ethics.
11. The members of the SCHD cooperate in the investigation of obstruction of the activities of the association.
IV. Obligations of the members of the SCHD
12. Members of the SCHD shall notify their clients of the existence of this Code of Ethics and of the complaint procedure, when this procedure is available to the client.
13. Each Member of the SCHD is obliged to provide the SCHD with information related to the activities of the association or in case of violation of this code by individual members.
14. The members of the SCHD make optimal efforts for the professional execution of detective orders and guarantee a high degree of confidentiality to the principals.
15. Members of the Association of Bulgarian Lawyers are obliged to prevent and not encourage actions that undermine the prestige of the Association, both by its members and by third parties.
V. Announcements, advertisements and pricing information
16. Manipulative and misleading offering or imposition of prices and services is unacceptable.
17. Any announcement, advertisement or other public statement that creates a false impression about the quality and conditions of the activity performed or the services offered is considered unethical.
18. Members of the SCHD must make reasonable efforts to ensure that pricing information, business announcements or advertising materials:
a) are not of such a nature as to mislead through inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration or other omissions.
b) are not used to describe, encourage or facilitate practices that are contrary to the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria.
c) do not contain materials that discredit, insult or misrepresent other market participants.
VI. Information about the members of the SCHD
19. The Bulgarian Non-Profit Association has the right to provide, upon request, to third parties information related to the nature of the activities of its members only in accordance with the data contained in the Public Register of Non-Profit Associations. The information must be objective and not give advantages to one company over another.
20. Inaccurate presentation of information or submission of false and misleading information about one's own activities or the activities of other companies, members of the SCHD, is contrary to ethical norms and is considered a gross violation of this Code of Ethics.
21. Any person may provide information to the SCHD that affects the interests of members of the SCHD or the Association as a whole.
22. Members of the SCHD cannot be required to provide information that is internal or constitutes a trade secret for the company.
23. Each member of the SCHD must notify the other members in case he learns information that harms the interests of the association as a whole or of companies that are its members.
VII. Complaints procedure and sanctions
Complaint
24. A Member of the SCHD, a Client or another person (Complainant) may file a complaint with the Management Board of the BAChD (SCHD Management Board) that a Member of the SCHD has acted in violation of the Statute and the Code of Ethics of the SCHD (Complaint).
25. The Board of Directors of the SCHD requires the relevant Member to make the necessary efforts within a time frame acceptable to both parties to resolve the Complaint.
26. When a Complainant notifies the SCHD Board that his Complaint has not been resolved to his satisfaction within the specified time frame and in accordance with his contract, the SCHD Board shall inform the Complainant that he may request that his Complaint be reviewed under the Complaint Procedure set out below.
Procedure for handling a Complaint
Complaint Review Procedure27. The Complaint Review Procedure applies when a Complainant requests the Board of Directors of the SCH to review his Complaint in accordance with this procedure.
28. The Board of Directors of the SCHD shall initiate this procedure within five working days after receipt of the written Complaint.
29. The complainant shall present his/her Complaint in writing and submit it to the Board of Directors of the Association together with a non-refundable fee of 50 (fifty) BGN for the administrative costs of considering the Complaint.
30. The Board of Directors of the SCHD forwards the Complaint to the relevant Member and requires him/her to send a written response to the Complaint to the Board of Directors of the SCHD within ten working days.
31. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BACB or members of the Board of Directors of the SCB authorized by him may conduct an additional investigation of the Complaint, for which they shall submit a report on the Complaint at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
32. The Board of Directors of the SCHD shall, at its meeting, consider all materials on the Complaint and decide whether there has been a violation of the Code of Ethics. Persons who are members of the Board and represent the Member against whom the Complaint has been filed or the Complainant may not participate in the discussions and decision-making on this Complaint.
33. The final decision on the Complaint shall be made by the Board of Directors of the SCHD. A copy of the Board's decision shall be provided in writing to the Complainant and to the relevant Member.
34. When the Board of Directors of the SCHD considers that the subject of the Complaint is subject to judicial review, the Complainant is recommended to take it to court.
Sanctions
35. When, as a result of the Complaints Procedure and taking into account all relevant circumstances, the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Association of Students and Teachers considers that a Member of the Bulgarian Association has violated the Statute or the Code of Ethics, it may decide:
a) request the Member to remedy the breach;
b) to request assurances from the Member or any other related person regarding future conduct under conditions determined by the Board;
(r) to temporarily suspend the Member's membership in the SCHD until the problem is finally clarified;
e) to propose to the General Assembly of the SCHD the expulsion of the Member, in accordance with the Statute of the SCHD.
36. The decision of the General Assembly of the SCHD to expel the Member is published.
This Code of Ethics was created on the basis of Art. 4. item 8 of the statutes of the Association of Private Detectives and was adopted at a general meeting held on 01.05.2010г. в гр. София.