of Ethics Online Collection: None
Code of Conduct
Central Intelligence Agency
EMPLOYEE BULLETIN
EB No.
911
CODE OF
CONDUCT
The DDCI has requested that this bulletin be circulated to all employees concerning
the standards of conduct they are expected to meet both during and after their
Agency service.
3 February
1982
Current and former CIA personnel are expected to maintain high standards of
conduct consistent with the Agency's mission. There has long been a tradition
of discipline and loyalty to the Agency that has guided the conduct of Agency
personnel in the performance of their official duties and in their private
lives. The Agency continues to rely heavily on this discipline and loyalty,
not only during the period of employment but, of equal importance, after employment.
2. Certain types of activities are specifically prohibited by
law or regulation. These various prohibitions and other standards of
conduct which employees are required to observe are set forth in Agency
regulations. This bulletin summarizes information contained in
regulations and with which employees must be familiar and are required
to review annually. Additional standards of ethical conduct are
imposed on Agency employees by Executive Order 11222. This order, among other
things, restricts the receipt of gifts, limits the use of insider
information, bars the use of public office for private gain, and directs employees
to avoid situations which might result in or create an "appearance of
impropriety." Given the special position of trust in which employees
are placed by virtue of their Agency service, employees are expected
to honor this trust through their own integrity and conduct in all
official actions. Because of this special position of trust, certain
obligations also are contained in each employee's contract agreement to protect
from unauthorized disclosure information that is classified, information
concerning intelligence sources or methods, and other sensitive
information the disclosure of which may adversely affect CIA or national security
equities. The obligation to protect such information from unauthorized
disclosure applies during an individual's employment or other service
with the CIA and at all times thereafter. On occasion former employees
and others may try to exploit their prior and current relationships
with Agency personnel. The conferring of any preference or privilege upon
former employees as a result of past or present relationships should
be avoided, and Agency personnel constantly must be on guard to ensure
that such relationships are not being misused. Once an employee has
terminated his or her service, that person is not entitled to be treated any
differently, than other individuals conducting business with the Agency.
3. Besides the continuing obligations contained in a former employee's contract
agreement, the Agency expects, and indeed depends eon, continued adherence
by former employees to the same high standards of conduct which governed them
during their employment. This continuing duty is implicit in their seeking
and accepting Agency employment. Certain postemployment activities are
restricted by explicit provisions of law (18 U.S.C., Section 207). Beyond these
requirements provided by law and contract, former CIA personnel also are expected
to avoid
any personal or professional activity which could harm or embarrass the Agency
or the United States. In this regard, former Agency personnel may draw upon
their prior training and experience in pursuing second careers or opportunities
outside the Agency. An employee's former Agency status should not be traded
upon to obtain preferential treatment for the employee or his or her private
employer, or to otherwise create any appearance of sponsorship, endorsement,
or approval by the Agency of such activities or transactions. This does a disservice
not only to the individual involved but also to the Agency and its present
employees.
4. Former Agency personnel also should avoid entering into financial transactions
in reliance upon information, contracts, or relationships developed through
and available only as a result of Agency employment. The use of such "insider
information" for personal profit is an abuse of the position of trust
which employees occupy, which abuse adversely affects the confidence of the
public in the integrity of the Agency and its mission, brings discredit to
the individual involved, and may involve a possible violation of law. Former
employees also should carefully consider any proposed involvement with or provision
of services to a foreign government, particularly any military, intelligence,
or security service of such government. In this regard, various provisions
of law apply to such business transactions and should be reviewed by the individual
before engaging in the proposed activity. When former personnel have questions
as to whether a proposed activity may fall within the Agency's concern, the
Agency is prepared to provide guidance upon request.. Former employees who
are rehired by the Agency are subject to the above standards of conduct and
are expected to fully comply with and familiarize themselves with this Code
of Conduct.
DISTRIBUTION: ALL EMPLOYEES
