The City of Austin takes pride in the collective vision of being the most livable and best managed city in the country, as seen in our values:
Public Service & Engagement
Responsibility & Accountability
Innovation & Sustainability
Diversity & Inclusion
Ethics & Integrity
The Law Department's Ethics & Compliance Team offers programs that highlight the City's Ethics & Integrity: Our actions will maintain the trust and confidence of the public and the organization.
This value in action is a collaboration between the Law Department, the Office of the City Auditor, and the Human Resources Department to promote an ethical culture of engagement, communications, and customer service.
LAW DEPARTMENT'S ETHICS & COMPLIANCE TEAM
The Law Department is dedicated to providing quality legal services to the City for the purposes of governance at the highest level of integrity and top-notch community service. One of the City Attorney's vehicles to deliver such services to City officials and the workforce is the Ethics & Compliance Team, which offers inter-disciplinary information, training, and advice on ethical issues and compliance support.
Formerly the Integrity Office, the Ethics and Compliance Team is now a function of the Law Department, comprised of attorneys and training staff who provide legal advice and citywide classes and online training based on City code, policies, and expectations.
Intended to serve educational purposes, the Ethics & Compliance Team does not conduct investigations nor give advice to members of the public. The team only addresses questions and requests for training submitted by City officials, boards and commissions members, or employees.
CITY OF THE AUDITOR'S INTEGRITY UNIT
The City Auditor's Integrity Unit (CAIU) has investigatory authority of fraud, waste, and abuse violations by City employees and contractors. CAIU investigators coordinates with the Austin Police Department, the Travis County District Attorney's Office, other law enforcement agencies, and the Human Resources Department to follow up on an allegation, make a determination, and report the allegation's disposition.
Reports made to the CAIU can be anonymous.
The Human Resources Department (HRD) services the workforce with employee relations and benefit programs. When personnel issues arise, HRD investigates violations of personnel policies and issues disciplinary action when necessary.