ACJA Code of Conduct
Introduction
The American Criminal Justice Association is committed to ensuring participants of all ACJA events and activities are treated with dignity and respect. Any form of discrimination, sexual harassment, or other unprofessional conduct is not tolerated and may result in removal from the event and revocation of membership.
The ACJA Code of Conduct was created to ensure a positive experience for all members. Compliance is required of all participants, attendees, and guests of ACJA sanctioned conferences, events, programs, communication platforms, and activities.
Purpose
ACJA has established this Code of Conduct (the “Code”) to serve as a guideline for the professional conduct of anyone attending or participating in an ACJA event, activity, or communications platform, as well as to inform members and guests of the consequences of unacceptable behavior. It is the expectation of the ACJA National Executive Board that every participant will respect and abide by this Code of Conduct. We all have a responsibility to ensure our events and individual actions are professional, inclusive, and respectful. Failure to abide by this Code is subject to corrective action, as set forth below.
Scope & Application
This Code of Conduct applies to all representatives, members, and guests of ACJA, attendees, speakers, volunteers, staff, contractors, exhibitors, and any other guests (collectively referred to as “Participants”) at any official ACJA programs, conferences, webinars, events, or other activities held, sponsored, or affiliated with ACJA (collectively referred to as “Events,”). It also includes all users participating in or messages originating on ACJA-managed digital communications platforms, to include email, messaging apps, and social media (“Platforms”).
ACJA participants are required to review the ACJA Code of Conduct and must agree to adhere to it prior to attending nationally-hosted events. ACJA participants are expected to fully comply with the ACJA Code of Conduct and submit to its standards, fully cooperate with its complaint evaluation processes, and respect outcomes as a condition of their participation. If you have questions about ACJA’s Code of Conduct, please contact your ACJA Regional President and/or the ACJA Executive Secretary.
This Code is subject to change, and ACJA will notify participants through an ACJA website announcement if and when revisions take place.
Expected Behavior
ACJA expects that participants will:
Unacceptable Behavior
ACJA defines unacceptable behavior as, but not limited to:
Reporting Concerns
Any participant who has experienced unacceptable behavior as defined above, or has witnessed unacceptable behavior, or has additional concerns about conduct or activities associated with ACJA, should inform ACJA as soon as possible.
Participants should report concerns to the ACJA National President and Executive Secretary, whose contact information is available on the ACJA website. It is helpful to provide as much information as possible to ensure a thorough evaluation of any incident. The following information should be included in the report:
All reports will be handled expediently and confidentially, to the extent permitted by law and ACJA policy. Participants should contact 911 immediately if they have experienced or witnessed behavior that may constitute a crime or threat to the public.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
ACJA will not tolerate unacceptable behavior. Any participant asked to stop behaving in an unacceptable manner, as outlined by this Code of Conduct, is expected to comply immediately when requested by another participant or ACJA official.
ACJA may take any action deemed necessary up to and including removal of the participant for any behavior inconsistent with the Code of Conduct described above by the ACJA Executive Board or their designees, at their discretion.
ACJA will report any criminal acts to the appropriate authorities for investigation by the entity with jurisdiction.
The ACJA National Executive Board will be the body that reviews and evaluates all complaints and violations. If the evaluation of the circumstances results in a substantiated finding, the offender may be subject to corrective actions up to and including expulsion from the event or program. Depending on the severity of the unacceptable behavior, further consequences may include a temporary or permanent termination of ACJA membership and/or denial to participate in future ACJA events or programs. ACJA Executive Board decisions are considered final.
For privacy reasons, ACJA will not make any statements about Code of Conduct violations, except where required by law or where the ACJA Executive Board deems necessary to mitigate the risk of such activity. ACJA also will not share details of reported violations, findings, or deliberative processes, nor will it share with the reporting party the resulting corrective actions with respect to any individuals involved.
Revised August 30, 2023
The American Criminal Justice Association is committed to ensuring participants of all ACJA events and activities are treated with dignity and respect. Any form of discrimination, sexual harassment, or other unprofessional conduct is not tolerated and may result in removal from the event and revocation of membership.
The ACJA Code of Conduct was created to ensure a positive experience for all members. Compliance is required of all participants, attendees, and guests of ACJA sanctioned conferences, events, programs, communication platforms, and activities.
Purpose
ACJA has established this Code of Conduct (the “Code”) to serve as a guideline for the professional conduct of anyone attending or participating in an ACJA event, activity, or communications platform, as well as to inform members and guests of the consequences of unacceptable behavior. It is the expectation of the ACJA National Executive Board that every participant will respect and abide by this Code of Conduct. We all have a responsibility to ensure our events and individual actions are professional, inclusive, and respectful. Failure to abide by this Code is subject to corrective action, as set forth below.
Scope & Application
This Code of Conduct applies to all representatives, members, and guests of ACJA, attendees, speakers, volunteers, staff, contractors, exhibitors, and any other guests (collectively referred to as “Participants”) at any official ACJA programs, conferences, webinars, events, or other activities held, sponsored, or affiliated with ACJA (collectively referred to as “Events,”). It also includes all users participating in or messages originating on ACJA-managed digital communications platforms, to include email, messaging apps, and social media (“Platforms”).
ACJA participants are required to review the ACJA Code of Conduct and must agree to adhere to it prior to attending nationally-hosted events. ACJA participants are expected to fully comply with the ACJA Code of Conduct and submit to its standards, fully cooperate with its complaint evaluation processes, and respect outcomes as a condition of their participation. If you have questions about ACJA’s Code of Conduct, please contact your ACJA Regional President and/or the ACJA Executive Secretary.
This Code is subject to change, and ACJA will notify participants through an ACJA website announcement if and when revisions take place.
Expected Behavior
ACJA expects that participants will:
- Understand that ACJA is a professional, career-oriented association and a respected nonprofit, where appropriate rules of conduct apply;
- Uphold the Objectives and reputation of the ACJA, the organizations for whom we work, and the institutions with whom we are affiliated;
- Be considerate, respectful, and inclusive, and professional in communication and actions;
- Respect and adhere to the specific rules or policies of the venue, event, or communications platform;
- Cooperate with ACJA to ensure that it continues to be a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment; and
- Adhere to the sensitivity level of ACJA training material and appropriately safeguard sensitive information, tactics, methods, and sources.
Unacceptable Behavior
ACJA defines unacceptable behavior as, but not limited to:
- Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct that constitutes any form of harassment, discrimination, or disrespectful behavior;
- Inappropriate language, unwelcome physical contact, or unwanted advances, in person or virtual;
- Intimidating, threatening, abusive, derogatory, or demeaning conduct or commentary;
- Conduct unbecoming of a professional in a workplace environment;
- Unapproved commercial activity, marketing, or other business development activities, or engaging in a conflict of interest or unethical practice;
- Failing to respect and adhere to the rules or policies of the venue, event, or communications platform; and
- Knowingly filing a false complaint.
Reporting Concerns
Any participant who has experienced unacceptable behavior as defined above, or has witnessed unacceptable behavior, or has additional concerns about conduct or activities associated with ACJA, should inform ACJA as soon as possible.
Participants should report concerns to the ACJA National President and Executive Secretary, whose contact information is available on the ACJA website. It is helpful to provide as much information as possible to ensure a thorough evaluation of any incident. The following information should be included in the report:
- Name, chapter, and contact information of the reporter
- Name and chapter/organization (if known) of the person exhibiting the unacceptable behavior
- Date of incident
- Location of incident (online platform; venue/city; name of event or activity, if applicable)
- A description of the incident
- Names of witnesses or other individuals involved, if any
- Supporting information, screenshots, or communications that illustrate the behavior, if applicable
All reports will be handled expediently and confidentially, to the extent permitted by law and ACJA policy. Participants should contact 911 immediately if they have experienced or witnessed behavior that may constitute a crime or threat to the public.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
ACJA will not tolerate unacceptable behavior. Any participant asked to stop behaving in an unacceptable manner, as outlined by this Code of Conduct, is expected to comply immediately when requested by another participant or ACJA official.
ACJA may take any action deemed necessary up to and including removal of the participant for any behavior inconsistent with the Code of Conduct described above by the ACJA Executive Board or their designees, at their discretion.
ACJA will report any criminal acts to the appropriate authorities for investigation by the entity with jurisdiction.
The ACJA National Executive Board will be the body that reviews and evaluates all complaints and violations. If the evaluation of the circumstances results in a substantiated finding, the offender may be subject to corrective actions up to and including expulsion from the event or program. Depending on the severity of the unacceptable behavior, further consequences may include a temporary or permanent termination of ACJA membership and/or denial to participate in future ACJA events or programs. ACJA Executive Board decisions are considered final.
For privacy reasons, ACJA will not make any statements about Code of Conduct violations, except where required by law or where the ACJA Executive Board deems necessary to mitigate the risk of such activity. ACJA also will not share details of reported violations, findings, or deliberative processes, nor will it share with the reporting party the resulting corrective actions with respect to any individuals involved.
Revised August 30, 2023