How to become A Private Detective

Fact is sometimes not only stranger than fiction but may also be reasonably different. A trench coat with a hat shading the face, a pair of binoculars or a glamorous disguise may be part of a Private Detective’s stereotypical image. However, ask one, and they would likely tell you that their work is serious and often focuses on analysing the information they gather from reliable sources. Private Detectives offer various services ranging from investigating corporate fraud, cybercrime and homicide to locating missing persons or working towards protecting the public from violence.

• Private Investigator
• Private Eye
• P.I.
• PD

What do Private Detectives do?

A Private Detective would typically need to:

• Plan, conduct and manage investigations of varying complexity and nature, such as burglaries, domestic violence, child abuse, and dealings in drugs
• Conduct interviews, surveillance, background checks on individuals, and thorough searches for information using computerised or paper documents, telephone records and credit reports
• Find, examine, analyse and interpret facts and evidence about legal, financial, corporate and personal issues to present in court
• Use the latest technology to assist investigations 
• Investigate cybercrimes, including identity theft, commercial piracy of software, illegal downloads
• Help solve cases of criminal and civil liability, missing persons or pets, insurance claims and fraud
• Assist law enforcement authorities in conducting raids, searches or arrests
• Manage, safeguard, document and submit exhibits and other forensic material to court; present legal documents to people as needed
• Narrow down witnesses and obtain their statements; explore and evaluate other informants or sources of information and the possibility of using them
• Collaborate with team members; liaise with relevant internal and external agencies, such as courts, schools and social work departments
• Stay current with relevant legislative and procedural changes

A Private Detective’s work environment depends on the case with which they are engaged. Sometimes their work is office-based, involving time at the computer conducting searches, analysing information or making inquiry phone calls. At other times, they may need to spend time in the field, tracking or interviewing subjects or conducting surveillance.

Typically Private Detectives work independently but may collaborate with others if a case requires surveillance or following a subject.

Private Detectives do not usually carry weapons unless they work in roles such as bodyguards. Typically, depending on the laws governing private investigation in your location, you may acquire permission to carry a weapon in self-defence after receiving firearms and self-defence training.

Private investigation work does not follow regular hours as it involves surveillance and contacting people before or after business hours. As a result, while they put in at least 40 hours a week, Private Detectives may also need to work early mornings and evenings and on weekends and holidays. Furthermore, surveillance can sometimes be time-consuming.

Case investigation may require travel and time spent away from home.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Private detectives can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Private Detectives are generally employed by: 

• Security Firms
• Identity Protection Services
• Law Firms
• Financial Institutions
• Retail Businesses
• Private Individuals

Professional associations and organisations, such as the World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI), are crucial for private detectives interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The mushrooming of large investigation firms which do not require a license and offer low-cost services, which may reduce the quality of service and cause loss of work for local investigators
• The impact of government regulations, such as audio and video surveillance laws, which hamper efficient and timely investigations
• Fictional media representation of investigators and the techniques or equipment they use, which give rise to expectations and standards impossible to meet
• The unrealistic expectations of clients that investigators will do their job efficiently even with inadequate resources and money at hand
• Stress and safety risks arising from dangerous and aggressive situations 
• Dealing with demanding or upset clients
• Working in adverse or unpleasant conditions, indoors or outdoors, and even in extremes of weather; working from within a vehicle
• The need for business acumen and marketing skills in addition to investigative expertise
• Expensive to start a business, which needs you to acquire training, earn your certification, and get your license after serving an apprenticeship
• Low initial pay which needs you to plan how to build your practice carefully
• The monotony of certain repetitive tasks, such as research, monitoring, and observation and the time spent at the computer rather than active fieldwork

Typically, experience working in law enforcement, the military, insurance, or a government intelligence agency gives you a competitive edge in the market. Law enforcement personnel may take up Private Detective roles post-retirement. You may also enter the field of private investigation with experience working as paralegals, bill & account collection agents, claims adjusters, or process servers.

Any academic program that a potential Private Detective takes up, such as a criminal justice or private investigations program, typically requires a period of supervised experience or internship. In some cases, an associate or bachelor’s degree program may count as a year of experience, while an internship may count as another year.

When you receive training on the job, you will gain optimal benefit from your tasks outside of the classroom when they line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. You may get to hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working as Private Detectives to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. 

While educational requirements depend on a specific job, a high school diploma is the minimum qualification that aspiring Private Detectives must fulfil. An associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and police science may be a prerequisite for some jobs. In most cases, your academic qualifications will need to be supplemented by training on the job.

Aspiring corporate investigators usually require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related fields. 

Certification demonstrates a Private Detective’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

The Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) certification offered by ASIS International proves that you can manage cases, gather evidence, and prepare reports and testimonies that corroborate findings. You must fulfil the conditions of required experience to qualify for the certification.

Candidates for Private Detective jobs must verify the relevant licensing laws in the location where they wish to work. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship. Work experience must typically be in law enforcement, asset management, investigations, criminal justice or related areas.

Depending on its validity period, you may need to renew your license or file for a new one. Since you may be required to apply under oath, you must ensure the accuracy and truth of all your forms. Conviction of felony or violation of specific legislation may disallow you from obtaining a license or revoke your current one.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of relevant professional qualifications and skills drive career progression. Employees with consistently high performance levels may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. 

Candidates with the necessary skills, experience and relevant degree qualifications have the best job prospects. Interviewing skills and familiarity with computers will enhance your marketability.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Private Detective build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

Newly hired Private Detectives typically learn the ropes through on-the-job training that may last up to a year. If hired as corporate investigators by large companies, their training may focus on business practices, management structure, and finance-related topics. An essential component of training programs, often the starting point, is using computers and databases to manage information. 

Take every opportunity to foster your investigative skills, which can prove to your employers that you possess top-notch abilities to collect and analyse information. Refine your research skills by learning to use multiple sources to corroborate the factuality of any information or evidence you find. This way, you can better support your findings in reports to clients or other stakeholders and advise further steps.

Find out the legislative requirements in your location and accordingly choose your path of further education or the classes you must enrol in to process your license. You would typically need to learn about civil and criminal law, relevant legislation and legal procedures, the court system, privacy protection, documentation, due process, surveillance, research and interviewing, and various types of investigation. 

Pros of PD Work

Given the variety of cases that are likely to come your way, you will get to work with a range of clients from businesses to law enforcement authorities. You may control the direction or pace of career progression and earnings by choosing whether to widen or narrow down your scope of cases and clients, particularly if you run your own business. PD work affords you ample analytical challenges to exercise your mind for the benefit of clients, giving rise to considerable job satisfaction. Further, if you hold justice as a principle in life, your work allows you to align your personal and professional values.

Some PD Terminology

Private investigation uses its jargon, as do other professions. Frequently used is the word “surveillance”, which means observing or following someone or keeping an eye on a specific location, whether through a vehicle or on foot. A “subject” is the person, people or company you are investigating, with each subject typically identified as Subject #1, Subject #2 and so on in reports. To “canvass” an area implies searching a zone or building.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Private Detectives have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Private Detective has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Private Detectives can access people’s bank accounts but use them only to gather and analyse information. While this information may not always be acceptable in court, they may share it with attorneys. 

At the core of a Private Detective’s job lie razor-sharp reasoning and observation that help you catch out the slightest inconsistency in a witness’s account or hunt out the tiniest bit of evidence to make or break a case. Many love reading a nail-biting detective story, but only a few are willing to educate and train themselves to build a skill set that ensures you work within legal, ethical and moral constraints. If you scrutinise people’s motives and are highly conscious of the trail you leave behind anywhere you go, then you may have what it takes to pick up that magnifying glass and get on the job.

Make full use of learning from the mentor who trains you on the job. Commitment to your training is vital if you want to become an expert at your work. You will need to refine your problem-solving skills, questioning, researching, developing a plan, analysing, deducing, and making sense of the information you gather while paying attention to the minutest of details. Keep in mind that each case is unique, and you must have exposure to diverse cases to succeed.