Product Endorsements: Are They Ethical or Unethical?

High ranking city officials, in and out of uniform, are often asked to endorse commercial products or professional services. Most cities and professional codes of conduct either prohibit or discourage such endorsements. But not everywhere! The former chief of police in Tampa, Florida, routinely endorsed products from a vendor who sold the city $2.37 million worth of surveillance equipment. The same firm donated $50,000 to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives when the chief ask for a donation. The former chief is now a consultant to the vendor.

An investigation by city council concluded that the chief had not violated any legal or ethical policies. Really? Why? The Tampa Police Department policy then in effect allowed endorsements with the prior approval of the chief of police. The new police chief rejects this policy. As he puts it, "we're not going to be in the business of selling other people's products with our uniforms. I believe in keeping the vendors at arm's length."

Source: Tampa Tribune, November 7, 2003:Metro 1.