How should a PSO handle conflicts of interest?

• A. Ignore conflicts to expedite cases.
• B. Declaring a conflict without recusal is sufficient.
• C. Declare any conflict, recuse from cases where there is a potential bias, and maintain impartial enforcement.
• D. Seek guidance from colleagues on how to proceed.

Answer: (C)

Conflicts of interest threaten fairness and public trust in enforcing standards, so the right approach is to be transparent and step back when bias could influence an outcome. You should declare any potential conflict and, from the point of view of maintaining objectivity, recuse yourself from cases where there’s a real or apparent bias. By doing so, you help ensure that enforcement decisions are based on the rules and evidence, not on personal interests or relationships. Maintaining impartial enforcement means applying the same standards to everyone and handling each case without partiality.

Ignoring conflicts undermines fairness, because decisions could be subconsciously biased. Merely declaring a conflict without recusal still leaves room for inappropriate influence. Seeking guidance from colleagues is helpful, but it doesn’t replace the need to declare and recuse when necessary or ensure impartial enforcement.