Discussion Group

A Proposed Ethics Code for Intelligence Professionals

Brian Snow

Discussant: Ray Bennett

This session seeks to develop an unclassified code of Mission Ethics that is general enough to be easily understood and accepted as appropriate by those outside the IC, but specific enough that members of the IC can clearly map the precepts to their job duties and obtain guidance thereby. In the case of oversight investigations or Inspector General reviews, it should be possible to clearly map classified actions to the unclassified guidance to determine if the actions were indeed appropriate or not. The code is to help the intelligence officer make difficult ethical choices. It provides guidance, it is not intended to set traps or moral standards, nor does it substitute another's judgment for his, nor does it provide him a shield against the inevitable pressures that he may expect. It acknowledges that the choices that confront him are difficult. Much of the work can be done prior to the session. A draft code of Mission Ethics is here and a WIKI containing comments on it from Conference attendees and others is here.