The 5 Ws of the Code of Ethics

Know the Code is a new monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics.

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance  

Every public servant, elected, appointed, or hired, enters into an agreement with the people: that as a public servant they will act ethically and seek to promote the public interest in the work that they do. 

The introduction to the County’s Code of Ethics, by our Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer highlights that commitment:    

“Dear fellow County employees, 

This Code of Ethics was created to serve as both a pledge and guide for all County employees. It includes our Standards of Conduct and our General Principles and is intended to guide and assist us in the actions we take and the decisions we make as public servants of the County of San Diego. Our code of ethics is the foundation of our County culture and must be reflective in everything we do. 

Our reputation, personally and collectively, is formed by our actions and performance – which we expect to reflect our core values. All employees are expected to be aware of, and behave in accordance with, our Code of Ethics, and to embrace our core values. 

To achieve our public service goals, the County of San Diego must support an internal environment that nurtures and encourages ethical conduct. Practicing ethical and legal conduct is essential to fulfilling the County’s mission and to each employee’s individual success. 

It is our duty to continually earn the public’s trust by always advancing the public interest and refraining from the pursuit of private interests. Our Commitment to integrity, in our duties, and in our interactions with each other, and with our stakeholders will help us earn and maintain the public’s trust. 

Ethics has always been and will always be important to the County of San Diego. Our commitment to it is written on our County seal, “The noblest motive is the public good.”

Thank you for making ethics and integrity an important and fundamental aspect of who we are, how we serve the public and in how we continually demonstrate that the noblest motive is the public good.” 

The County Code of Ethics is applicable in the performance of all County business and is openly shared with the general public and can be found on our County webpage at SanDiegoCounty.gov. 

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance program events, training and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos. 

If you have questions about ethics and compliance training or how to access the training and other resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-5174. HHSA staff may also contact the HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-338-2807.