Ethics

Question 1

Ethical Firewall

Answer 1

separating staff from political circumstances, establishing clear guidelines, promoting ethical values, training elected and appointed officials, discussing ethics openly, and enforcing ethical standards.

Question 2

Origin of Ethical Firewall

Answer 2

Local Planning: Contemporary Principles and Practice

Question 3

1. Under the AICP Code of Ethics, a planner’s primary obligation is to serve the public interest. A planner’s responsibility to the public interest includes which of the following?

(A) Having special concern for the long-range consequences of present actions.
(B) Providing a citizens group with information not in the public record.
(C) Allowing citizen groups to develop land use alternatives.
(D) Providing high-quality customer service.

Answer 3

The answer is “A.” A planner is obligated to have a special concern for the long-range consequences of present actions. None of the other responses are specifically included in the Code of Ethics.

Question 4

2. Which of the following is NOT considered to be a planner’s primary obligation to serve the public interest under the AICP Code of Ethics?

(A) Have a special concern for long-range consequences.
(B) A planner must exercise independent professional judgment on behalf of clients and employers.
(C) Providing opportunities for meaningful citizen participation.
(D) Seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all.

Answer 4

The answer is “B.” Exercising independent judgment is part of the planner’s responsibility to clients and employers, not to the public. Through memorization of the code of ethics, candidates would be able to quickly determine the correct answer.

Question 5

5 Sections of the AICP Code of Ethics

Answer 5

A) Aspirational Principles
B) Rules of Conduct
C) Advisory Opinions
D) Adjudication of complaints of misconduct
E) Discipline of members

C-E are procedural provisions.

Question 6

The 3 Year Rule

Answer 6

We shall not accept an assignment from a client or employer to publicly advocate a position on a planning issue that is indistinguishably adverse to a position we publicly advocated for a previous client or employer within the past three years unless (1) we determine in good faith after consultation with other qualified professionals that our change of position will not cause present detriment to our previous client or employer, and (2) we make full written disclosure of the conflict to our current client or employer and receive written permission to proceed with the assignment.