Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics is an independent Charter-created entity established by the 1997 City Charter.  The City Council enacted the Ethics Ordinance in 2000 and established disclosure requirements and standards of conduct applicable to all City of Detroit Public Servants.  The Board is charged with the responsibility for implementing and administering the Ordinance, which includes receiving a complaint alleging violations of the Ordinance and issuing Advisory Opinions. 

The Board of Ethics' role is to investigate and resolve complaints regarding alleged violations of the Ethics Ordinance by public servants and to issue advisory opinions regarding the meaning and application of provisions of the Charter, City Ordinances, other laws, or regulations establishing standards of conduct for public servants.

Advisory opinions are rendered upon written request by a public servant. Advisory opinions are published by the Board annually in a report to the Mayor and City Council. The Board is charged with monitoring and recommending improvements in the disclosure requirements and the standards of conduct under the Ethics Ordinance in order "to promote an ethical environment within City government, and to ensure the ethical behavior of public servants."