Blackstone Security Services, Inc.

Code of Ethics Policy 

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the private security sector in Arizona comprises about 1,200 companies. DPS also lists about 30,000 licensed security guards for these companies to employ either full- or part time. That’s 1,200 different operating standards and potentially 30,000 different interpretations of those standards.

Public and private property owners increasingly demand high quality from private security companies. The events of 9-11 increased the stakes dramatically in the private security industry. There is no room for error. The terrorist threat has resulted in more sophisticated security technology. Employee safety can become a critical issue in a heartbeat. Private security requires ever-increasing levels of professionalism everyday.

While DPS sets the minimum guidelines for the operation of security companies, individual companies can put in place professional standards and rules of conduct above those general guidelines. Blackstone Services has adopted rules of conduct that not only exceed DPS guidelines, but also those set forth in the code of ethics adopted by the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), an international organization of security professionals.  These rules of conduct, based on Blackstone’s core values, are stressed during employee training and monitored throughout our employees’ tours of service.

We at Blackstone Security Services, Inc. have confidence in our employees and expect the highest standard of personal integrity in the delivery of services.  This policy provides a basic framework of conduct required of Blackstone management and staff.  It will help protect the assets of Blackstone; the individuals associated with the organization, facilitate the protection of the organization's reputation in the industry, its public image, and guard against actions that would result in criminal prosecution and/or civil litigation.

Blackstone Security Services is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), and as such, its management team and security personnel agree to adopt and abide by the guiding principles and rules of conduct set forth in the ASIS Code of Ethics.

Employees learn of their behavioral expectations in accordance with the company rules and the ASIS code of ethics during their training. Adherence to this code of ethics is paramount to any employee’s eligibility for Employee Recognition Programs. Violations of this code will result in disciplinary action that could include dismissal.

Blackstone requires adherence to this code of ethics to let you know you are getting the best from the best and that at Blackstone; quality control begins on the inside.

Blackstone Security Services subscribes to the ASIS Code of Ethics listed here. We encourage you to review it. The code outlines the minimum of what you may expect from Blackstone employees. 

PREAMBLE 

Aware that the quality of professional security activity ultimately depends upon the willingness of practitioners to observe special standards of conduct and to manifest good faith in professional relationships, the American Society for Industrial Security adopts the following Code of Ethics and mandates its conscientious observance as a binding condition of membership in or affiliation with the Society: 

CODE OF ETHICS

I. A member shall perform professional duties in accordance with the law and the highest moral principles.

II. A member shall observe the precepts of truthfulness, honesty, and integrity.

III. A member shall be faithful and diligent in discharging professional responsibilities.

IV. A member shall be competent in discharging professional responsibilities.

V. A member shall safeguard confidential information and exercise due care to prevent its improper disclosure.

VI. A member shall not maliciously injure the professional reputation or practice of colleagues, clients, or employers.

ARTICLE I

A member shall perform professional duties in accordance with the law and the highest moral principles.

Ethical Considerations

I-1 A member shall abide by the law of the land in which the services are rendered and perform all duties in an honorable manner.

I-2 A member shall not knowingly become associated in responsibility for work with colleagues who do not conform to the law and these ethical standards.

I-3 A member shall be just and respect the rights of others in performing professional responsibilities.

ARTICLE II

A member shall observe the precepts of truthfulness, honesty, and integrity.

Ethical Considerations

II-1 A member shall disclose all relevant information to those having the right to know.

II-2 A right to know is a legally enforceable claim or demand by a person for disclosure of information by a member. Such a right does not depend upon prior knowledge by the person of the existence of the information to be disclosed.

II-3 A member shall not knowingly release misleading information nor encourage or otherwise participate in the release of such information.

ARTICLE III

A member shall be faithful and diligent in discharging professional responsibilities. Ethical Considerations

III-1 A member is faithful when fair and steadfast in adherence to promises and commitments.

III-2 A member is diligent when employing best efforts in an assignment.

III-3 A member shall not act in matters involving conflicts of interest without appropriate disclosure and approval.

III-4 A member shall represent services or products fairly and truthfully.

ARTICLE IV

A member shall be competent in discharging professional responsibilities.

Ethical Considerations

IV-1 A member is competent who possesses and applies the skills and knowledge required for the task.

IV-2 A member shall not accept a task beyond the member's competence nor shall competence be claimed when not possessed.

ARTICLE V

A member shall safeguard confidential information and exercise due care to prevent its improper disclosure.

Ethical Considerations

V-1 Confidential information is nonpublic information, the disclosure of which is restricted.

V-2 Due care requires that the professional must not knowingly reveal confidential information, or use a confidence to the disadvantage of the principal or to the advantage of the member or a third person, unless the principal consents after full disclosure of all the facts. This confidentiality continues after the business relationship between the member and his principal has terminated.

V-3 A member who receives information and has not agreed to be bound by confidentiality is not bound from disclosing it. A member is not bound by confidential disclosures made of acts or omissions which constitute a violation of the law.

V-4 Confidential disclosures made by a principal to a member are not recognized by law as privileged in a legal proceeding. The member may be required to testify in a legal proceeding to the information received in confidence from his principal over the objection of his principal's counsel.

V-5 A member shall not disclose confidential information for personal gain without appropriate authorization.

ARTICLE VI

A member shall not maliciously injure the professional reputation or practice of colleagues, clients, or employers.

Ethical Considerations

VI-1 A member shall not comment falsely and with malice concerning a colleague's competence, performance, or professional capabilities.