Ethical behaviour comes from the values, beliefs, attitudes and knowledge that guide the judgements of each individual. Everyone in enforcement has to make difficult decisions and complex choices every day of the week. These range from how to talk to a distressed debtor on the phone through to how to deal with aggression. We must make clear the ethical principles that we expect to guide decisions, whatever the context, and we must be clear about what happens if those expectations are not met. That is what we aim to do in this Code of Ethics. Following extensive consultation we have arrived at nine enforcing principles. They are built on the Nolan principles for public life, with the addition of ‘Fairness’ and ‘Respect’. Our nine enforcement principles are:
- Accountability
- Fairness
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Leadership
- Objectivity
- Openness
- Respect
- Selflessness
These principles underpin and strengthen the existing procedures and regulations for ensuring standards of professional behaviour for enforcement agents. This gives the profession and the public the confidence that there is a system in place to respond appropriately if anyone believes that the expectations of the Code of Ethics have not been met. These principles should also underpin every decision and action across enforcement. They should be used, for example, in day-to-day operations as interventions are planned and debriefed, in the selection of new staff, in educational and development programmes, and in annual reviews.
The principles must be more than words on a page and must become embedded in the way enforcement professionals think and behave. Alongside the Code of Ethics, the enforcement commitment is designed to help enforcement professionals to make the right decisions includes enhancing the knowledge base as well as developing a framework for continuous professional development. Over the next few years these actions will start to have a significant impact on the professional support available for all working in enforcement.
There is much important work to do to deliver these changes and to ensure that the Code of Ethics becomes a key part of growing enforcement professionalism. It is a responsibility that we all share and will lead to greater confidence across the enforcement profession and in our communities.
About Absolute Enforcement
We are one of the fastest growing Enforcement Companies operating nationwide. We specialise in the areas of High Court Enforcement; Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR); Forfeiture of Leases; Trespasser Removals (including Travellers and Squatters or Persons Unknown); Local Authority Work; Process Serving; Enforcement Support; ANPR Service and our unique Pre-Debt Letter Service.
To instruct us just send us an email to info@absoluteenforcement.com today!
