Ethical Conduct & Integrity
Agent Regulations

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FBI Ethical Conduct & Integrity

Guidelines on Acceptable Behavior

• All FBI personnel are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, both in their professional duties and personal lives. This includes honesty, impartiality, and respect for the rights of others.

• FBI personnel must remain calm, courteous, and professional in all verbal and written communications, including during high-stress situations. Disrespectful language, sarcasm, threats, or personal attacks are strictly prohibited, whether directed at the public, suspects, or colleagues.

• Personnel must avoid any behavior that could bring the FBI into disrepute or undermine public trust in the agency.

• The American flag, the FBI seal, and all other symbols of the United States and the Bureau must be treated with the utmost respect at all times.

Conflict of Interest Policies

• Employees must avoid situations where their interests could conflict with their official duties. This includes financial interests, outside employment, and relationships that could influence decision-making.

• Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed to a supervisor immediately. Failure to disclose such conflicts may result in disciplinary action.

Disciplinary Actions for Ethical Violations

• Violations of the FBI’s ethical standards will be met with appropriate disciplinary actions, ranging from reprimands to termination, depending on the severity of the breach.

• All reported ethical violations will be investigated thoroughly, and the appropriate oversight committees will document and review the findings.

• Personnel are obligated to report any observed or suspected violations of FBI policy, ethical misconduct, or illegal behavior by colleagues. Failure to report such conduct may itself result in disciplinary action.

Field Conduct

• All employees must follow lawful orders from supervisors and act within the scope of their assigned duties. Refusing to follow an order without proper cause may lead to disciplinary action.

• Any individual may request a supervisor during an interaction. Employees must honor this request unless the individual is actively being detained or arrested. Supervisor/high rank 

• If a supervisor/high rank is unavailable, personnel must cease non-essential engagement and advise the individual of their right to file a report with Internal Affairs.

• All personnel must disclose their unit and unit number upon request. Failure to identify oneself is a violation of public accountability protocols.