WAPI Members Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

Our commitment to our clients

The Association and its Members, Associates and Affiliates shall at all times:

• Conduct all investigations and allied matters with integrity and within acceptable legal, professional and moral guidelines.
• Require a client’s undertaking that all information provided by members is for lawful use only.
• Require that all employees and others assisting in an investigation abide by the Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct.
• Assist all regulatory and legal authorities when required to do so by law.
• Practice only in matters for which they are qualified and/or competent.
• Refer all matters of conflict between members to the Association’s governing body for arbitration, whose decision will be accepted as binding.
• Not misrepresent or exaggerate the activities and services offered by the profession.
• At all times protect the good reputation of the members, their clients, the Association and the Profession in general.
• Deal professionally in all matters with discretion, courtesy and confidentiality within ethical constraints.
• Not deny any professional services to any client for any reasons of race, colour, religion, sex, handicap, sexual preference or national origin.
• Comply with the regulatory and legal requirements within their operational jurisdiction.
• Conduct all investigations and allied matters in full compliance with the GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation if required to do so or applicable regulation within their operational area.
• That they hold Professional Investigator Indemnity Insurance OR will do so by their next Renewal date after July 2023 if required to do so.
• Be fully conversant with, and to remain updated with applicable legislation that appertains to my profession and business.
• All members must show that they are registered with the Information Commissioners Office.
• Conduct all business matters with integrity and make payment of all properly presented supplier bills promptly within agreed or stipulated payment terms, excepting any genuine complaint which should be resolved as quickly as reasonably possible, utilising if necessary the WAPI Members Arbitration facilities.

The World Association of Professional Investigators is delighted to announce in conjunction with the Institute of Professional Investigators & UKPIN the launch of ‘The Confederation of Professional Investigators UK’
10th June 2024

WAPI, in conjunction with the Institute of Professional Investigators ( IPI) and the United Kingdom Private Investigators Network (UKPIN), launched the Confederation of Professional Investigators UK. (COPI) http://www.copiuk.org.uk

Invitations have been sent to all Associations that have an interest in this profession to come on board at no cost and, as you will see, the benefits are clear on the website http://www.copiuk.org.uk

This is a move to establish a collective voice from established Associations, already known for best business practices, following an agreed Code of Ethics protecting commercial Clients, the general public, and Investigators alike and also limiting the activities of those ‘cowboys’ that continue to haunt this profession.

Membership of the Confederation is open to all Industry trade groups and carries no membership fees or administration charges whatsoever. Reputable agencies and practitioners all adhere to a Code of Conduct and last year WAPI, IPI and UKPIN jointly signed a voluntary Code of Ethical Conduct across their Memberships ensuring that their members complied.

All individual COPI members will continue as Associations in their own right and COPI will NOT in any way interfere with the business operations of any individual member Association.. COPI also ensures that ALL practicing Investigators signing to the Code of Conduct act as one voice and therefore ensure that no individual Association is disadvantaged by profiteering or unfair practices.

Legislation will, eventually, come to this Profession and as a united body of accredited Associations, we can ensure that our voice is heard rather than any one Association trying to dictate. It is planned that all member stakeholders elect one person to speak for their Association in COPI for matters and plans going forward that way ensuring equality and fairness to all members.

For too long this profession has been fragmented and a little weighed down with self-interest to carry any real authority when views of the profession are sought from either government, media, or the general public.

The launch will be extensive as this is, in my opinion, our best opportunity in years to unify this profession and establish greater protection for clients and members alike and I therefore hope you will all consider those benefits.

The World Association of Professional Investigators is delighted to announce that EPIC have joined the ‘The Confederation of Professional Investigators UK’ COPI
27th June 2024

EPIC – Ex-Police in Commerce

At the EPIC Board meeting today. It has been universally agreed by the Board that EPIC join COPI and accepting and agreeing to the new Code of Conduct.

John Bateman will be the EPIC representative.

EPIC are keen to work closely with COPI to professionalise the Industry.

WAPI MEMBERS ABIDE BY THE JOINT Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI) & WAPI Members Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATORS’ GOVERNING BODIES TO FILL GOVERNMENT VOID ON REGULATION OF PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

In order to professionalise the private investigation sector and to complete the work that H.M. Government has consistently failed to complete since the introduction of the Private Security Industry Act of 2001, a consortium of professional bodies has published a joint Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

The Code has been agreed between a consortium of the Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI), World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI) and UK Professional Investigators Network (UKPIN).

All members of these organisations will have to agree and comply with the Code’s requirements. This initiative accounts for approximately 1,000 investigators and it is hoped that other professional bodies will also adopt the Code.

This new Code goes beyond the bodies’ existing ethical guidelines and criteria proposed by the H.M. Government by adding the requirements to have Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII), register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and adopt the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Members of the above organisations will be bound by the Code and entitled to notify potential clients of this on their websites and other promotional material. In-house investigators, serving law enforcement officers and inactive retired members will be exempt from the requirement to have professional insurance and registration with the appropriate data protection body. There will be no charge for members to adopt the Code.

The Code states:
As a member of one of the above organisations, I undertake the following:

1. I must be accountable for all my work and/or investigations, which I will carry out within the highest standards of legal, professional and ethical principles, ensuring that my activities are covered by appropriate professional insurance. I will only operate in subjects or disciplines for which I am are qualified and/or recognised as being competent.
2. I will treat all information received in the course of my work and/or investigations with discretion, confidentiality and in compliance with data protection law and principles. I must require confirmation that a client’s information and instructions are for lawful uses only and address any conflicts of interest, ensuring that I am personally or corporately registered with the appropriate Data Protection body.
3. I will deal professionally in all matters with discretion, courtesy, and confidentiality within ethical constraints. I must not deny any professional services to any client for any reasons of race, colour, religion, sex, accessibility needs, sexual preference, or national origin. I will interact with others with Courtesy, Fairness and in accordance with the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
4. I must not misrepresent or exaggerate my activities and/or services. I will uphold the aims and objectives of my professional organisation(s) and protect their reputation and that of their members.
5. I will maintain a high level of self-development and professional competence and keep up to date with legislation; techniques and any relevant disclosures required of me by my organisation, in particular any convictions recorded on the criminal database in my jurisdiction.
6. I will ensure that any others assisting me in my work will also comply with this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. I will challenge and report any improper conduct of colleagues. I will refer all matters of conflict between members to the organisations’ governing body for arbitration, whose decision will be accepted as final and binding.