The LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy was first organized by FAU in 2009 to research ethics and provide training for local government agencies. The Academy is located on FAU’s Main Campus in Boca Raton, and with this central location, can offer its services to the University’s entire service area. The University-based nature of the Academy allows for the rapid incorporation and dissemination of the latest scholarly research on ethics issues by noted faculty for the Academy’s training programs.
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The Academy’s objectives are to:
- increase understanding of local government and how it functions
- promote high ethical standards in public service
- provide an informational base for more informed policy making
- develop the capacity of local officials to govern effectively
Our training programs offer instruction and discussion focusing on seven major areas:
The ethical organization: How to identify, create, and sustain it so that all relationships and transactions reflect a commitment to the highest standards and the Five Principles of Public-Service Ethics
Compliance: What you need to know and teach about government ethics laws and their interpretation and enforcement
Beyond compliance: Perceiving, avoiding, and dealing with costly and damaging accusations of legal or ethical wrongdoing including appearances of impropriety
Working with elected officials: How to deal with and stay above partisan politics and work effectively with elected officials while safeguarding your rights and prerogatives in the implementation of public policy
Conflicts of interests: Assuring that all employees know how to perceive and avoid conflicts of interest
Evaluating character and ethics in hiring and promoting employees: Issues of screening, training, and discipline to enforce high ethical standards
Improving decision-making: Strategies and models to help employees make decisions that are ethical and effective
“Best Practices in Public Sector Ethics: The Palm Beach County Ethics Partnership” by Peter Cruise
LCPEA Executive Director Peter L. Cruise presented “Best Practices in Public Sector Ethics: The Palm Beach County Ethics Partnership” at the International City/County Management Association’s Annual Conference on September 23, 2020.
The Palm Beach County Ethics Partnership
(L-R) Mark Bannon, Esq., Executive Director, PBC Commission on Ethics; Peter Cruise, Director of the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy at FAU; John Carey, PBC Inspector General; Bill Bone, Esq., LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy Advisory Board member.
LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy - Fellows
November 13, 2018
At the 12th Annual Ethics Seminar, the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy named three new Fellows: (L-R) Frank Schnidman, J.D., LL.M.; Susan M. Coughanour, FAICP; and Frank S. Palen, Esq., AICP; pictured with Peter Cruise, Academy Director; and Merrett R. Stierheim, Academy Advisory Board Chairman.
LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy - Dedication Reception
August 22, 2018
In the News
- Palm Beach Dramaworks Contemporary Voices Discussion Panel for “The Garden of Hannah List” with LCPEA Director Peter Cruise - June 9, 2021
- - June 9, 2021
- From the School District of PBC: Students’ Critical Thinking Skills Enriched by Annual Ethics Bowl Competition, hosted by the LCPEA - February 8, 2021
- From the Tampa Bay Times: LCPEA Director Peter Cruise comments on Pasco County sheriff’s campaign payment of $15,000 to top Sheriff’s Office staffer - February 5, 2021
- From the Palm Beach Post: LCPEA Director Peter Cruise comments on the PBC schools watchdog’s decision to keep posting findings; employee wrongdoing may be delayed - February 5, 2021
- From the Palm Beach Post: LCPEA Director Peter Cruise comments on PBC school board opposition to watchdog's attempt to stop publishing investigations - January 25, 2021
- LCPEA Director Peter Cruise writes about the need for independent ethics oversight in the Palm Beach Post - January 6, 2021
- From the Palm Beach Post: LCPEA Director Peter Cruise comments on recent Presidential Pardons - December 23, 2020
- The 2021 Regional High School Ethics Bowl takes place on 2/1/21 - December 22, 2020
- LCPEA Director Peter Cruise speaks on “Truth in Politics” at Broward State College - December 22, 2020
- Founding LCPEA Advisory Board Member Bill Bone honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by Nonprofits First - December 22, 2020
- Who's Surveilling Bovo's Stepson, Hialeah Councilman Oscar De la Rosa? - October 16, 2020
- Where Does a Candidate Live? State Election Laws are Vague on What Defines Residency - October 5, 2020
- Ethical Leadership in Challenging Times - March 23, 2020
- Dr. Peter Cruise Elected as Chair of PBC Commission on Ethics - March 6, 2020
- FAU Partners with Palm Beach County School District for Ethics Bowl - January 13, 2020
- PBCSD, FAU Partner for Ethics Bowl - December 12, 2019
- Orlando Sentinel: "Central Florida Needs an Ethics Board to Sniff Out Problems" - August 25, 2019
- LCPEA Executive Director Peter Cruise Quoted in Orlando Sentinel – August 8, 2019
- LCPEA Fellow Frank Schnidman to Receive American Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award - July 30, 2019
- Peter Cruise Named to Community Partners Board of Directors – July 29, 2019
- May Proclaimed as Ethics Awareness Month – May 9, 2019
- Palm Beach Daily News: “Ethics Under the Palms” - April 19, 2019
- New Davie Home for LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy - April 19, 2019
- Palm Beach Business: Professor and Ethics Commissioner Addresses “Ethics Under the Palms” – March 23, 2019
- The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County presents the 6th Annual Mayor’s Ball - January 23, 2019
- 12th Annual Ethics Seminar – “Using Power Ethically” - November 19, 2018
- FAU Receives Endowment to Name LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy - August 23, 2018
- Peter Cruise, Academy Director, Appears on NBC Nightly News - July 12, 2018
- Public Ethics Academy Receives $500,000 Endowment - June 18, 2018
- Public Ethics Academy Honored By Palm Beach County - March 19, 2018
- FAU Re-Launches Public Ethics Academy - October 10, 2017
Resources
For more information regarding our services, please contact the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy office: