How to become A Private Investigator

Tracking violent sex offenders and predators...checking out a babysitter, housekeeper, or roommate...getting the facts on a potential business partner...investigating a former spouse - they are all run-of-the-mill activities for a Private Investigator whose job involves looking at things people usually can’t see.

• P.I.
• Asset Protection Detective
• Background Investigator
• Certified Legal Investigator
• Investigator
• Loss Prevention Investigator
• Private Eye
• Skip Tracer
• Special Investigator
• Surveillance Investigator

What do Private Investigators (P.I) do?

A Private Investigator (P.I.) would typically need to:

• Locate people and assets using a thorough and systematic approach
• Collect, analyze, compile, and report information to clients concerning individuals or organizations; detect unlawful acts or infractions of rules
• Gather intelligence to help solve crimes by searching for information on legal, financial, and personal matters; uncover evidence related to suspects, crimes, or disturbances
• Examine computer databases, credit reports, public & court records, tax & legal filings, or other resources to uncover clues to criminal activities
• Conduct personal investigations such as pre-employment checks to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, civil judgments, and criminal history
• Interview people either by phone or in-person about the actions or status of individuals to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons; verify people's statements
• Conduct surveillance, using binoculars to observe and document alleged unlawful acts as evidence; record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras
• Adhere to established rules of evidence such as privacy laws to ensure the information gathered is admissible as legal evidence in criminal investigations
• Perform undercover operations to investigate the financial standings of organizations and any in-house misconduct such as cybercrime and information theft
• Review financial transactions to identify shortages and locate funds stolen by embezzlers; expose fraudulent insurance claims
• Provide security services to commercial properties while ensuring compliance with government security and safety regulations; prevent unauthorized entry to restricted areas
• Collaborate with law and order forces to identify criminal activities or disturbances, provide vital information to appropriate personnel, and respond to untoward incidents
• Apprehend criminal suspects and hand them over to law enforcement authorities; testify at legal or legislative proceedings and hearings or court trials to present evidence
• Write incident reports or case summaries to document investigations

The work environment of a Private Investigator may vary depending on the task at hand. They may use an office to work at a computer or make phone calls to obtain relevant information. Surveillance activity may require sitting in a car or outdoors in all kinds of weather. Most P.I.s work alone but may combine forces while conducting surveillance or carrying out more challenging assignments.

Private Investigators work 24/7/365; the nature of their job, which revolves around surveillance and ferreting out information from all available sources, mandates highly irregular hours.

Private Investigators may work full time, as consultants, or as independent contractors for private investigation and detective agencies. They may also work as independent contractors for law firms, financial institutions, insurance companies, commercial enterprises, government agencies, and police departments.

Private Investigators are generally employed by:

• Private Investigation & Detective Agencies
• Law Firms
• Financial Institutions
• Insurance Companies
• Commercial Enterprises
• Government Agencies
• Police Departments

Professional associations and organizations like the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) are crucial for Private Investigators 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.

• Need for protection from unpleasant confrontations which may turn violent
• The need to ensure data is backed up and digitally secure; unprotected data may be vulnerable to either corruption or destruction by a digital attack
• Access to variant technology from microchips to guns
• Keeping in mind the fact that gun training and safety are more critical than possession of a gun which should therefore be the last line of defense
• Staying engaged and alert while exercising an excessive amount of patience
• Maintain physical and mental health in the face of the long, tedious hours spent in surveillance and stakeouts

All relevant skills, knowledge, or experience accumulated before becoming a Private Investigator will prove critical to your professional success. Significant experience in law enforcement or the military will be helpful.

An entry-level job or an internship in a private investigation agency will give you a unique opportunity to pick the brains of veteran P.I.s. As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession and interviewing those working in private investigation are other important ways to explore your interest.

For the most part, a high school diploma with a good grounding in business, math, English, and computers should help you begin practicing as a Private Investigator. Some employers may prefer subject-specific training in vocational schools, an associate degree, or a degree in criminal justice.

Private Investigators need a license to practice and to carry a handgun. The requirements may vary according to your location. You must also adhere to current privacy laws to ensure you do not end up committing a felony, such as illegal recording of conversations, trespassing, and mail tampering.

Laws keep changing; ensure you are thoroughly familiar with the prevailing laws before you begin practicing. Voluntary certification in legal investigation from an objective and reputed organization can help you gain professional credibility, stand out in a competitive job market, and become an independent consultant.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. The reassurance that members who practice outside the Code will be investigated and held accountable earns the community’s trust and respect, which are the most critical elements in securing a P.I.’s future.

Performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Individuals with 20 or more years of experience in law enforcement, the military, or federal intelligence are the best candidates for private investigation as a second career. Some P.I.s begin as interns or in entry-level positions and train while on the job.

P.I.s who choose to specialize in legal, financial, and corporate investigation may have years of experience as paralegals or accountants. P.I.s who work full-time in investigation agencies may advance to management-level positions where they may spend more time supervising other investigators’ work rather than in the field.

Many start their own businesses and grow by increasing their staff and expanding their investigative services by branching out into other specialties. Some P.I.s use the considerable experience and the knowledge they gained on the job to write articles and books or take up teaching.

The legal services industry will need Private Investigators to help solve identity theft, credit card fraud, Internet scams, and financial insurance fraud. With many qualified people to do the job, there is intense competition in the field. Candidates with related work experience, strong knowledge of computers, and good research and interviewing skills will have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the holistic commitment of Private Investigators towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are many CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated. It enables Private Investigators to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism.

Most Private Investigators learn through one-to two-year on-the-job training, including informal training under experienced P.I.s. Recruits would enter the job knowing how to gather information, but additional training depends on the kind of firm that employs them. Corporate investigators hired by large companies may receive formal training in business practices, management structure, and various finance-related subjects.

Specializations

Depending on their skills and education, Private Investigators could specialize in solving corporate, computer forensic, legal, insurance, or financial cases.

Computer forensics investigators recover, analyze, and present information from computers, such as deleted emails and documents, as evidence in computer crime cases. Legal investigators help lawyers and law firms prepare criminal defenses; they locate witnesses, serve legal documents, and verify facts in civil lawsuits.

Corporations hire corporate investigators to conduct internal and external investigations in matters such as employee theft or drug use in the workplace or identifying and preventing fraudulent billing by suppliers.

Banks and other financial institutions hire financial investigators to investigate individuals and companies trying to make large financial transactions. Financial investigators are usually certified public accountants (CPAs).

Caution: Limits to Authority

Police departments sometimes hire them to assist with hard-to-crack cases because P.I.s are not limited by the same rules and regulations as police. As private citizens without police authority, investigators are liable to face prosecution if they do not collect evidence per the relevant legislation. Much as the situation tempts one to do so, you cannot impersonate the police and make arrests; you can only gather information and evidence and turn it over to the authorities who can ensure justice.

Intrinsic Tools of the Trade

Thinking on your feet and quick decision making, based on the limited information you have at a given time, are essential tools in your bag. Remaining unflappably alert during long, tedious periods of surveillance and stakeout is critical to solving a case. Persistence and resourcefulness will help determine the next essential steps or even anticipate the potential turn of events in the face of limited leads.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs. Full-Time Employment

Freelancing offers Private Investigators freedom regarding flexible schedules, working hours, and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented.

While it has unlimited earning potential, freelancing has less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. There are no paid holidays, and sick/maternity/paternity leaves are almost unaffordable. There is the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.

However, a full-time Private Investigator has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses.

Even so, full-time employees are susceptible to potential boredom and inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. There is also a lack of flexibility, ownership, variety, and the need to budget extra money for commuting and attire costs.

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

Private Investigators can access bank accounts, especially in divorce or litigation cases, to determine how much money a person has and if they are withholding assets but cannot manage the funds.

In today’s world, where it's better to be safe than sorry and get the facts, Private Investigators minimize risk and gather clear objective evidence whether they work to help an attorney gather evidence, investigate investment scams or follow a suspected unfaithful spouse.

Investigators often don’t ask enough questions. To be successful on surveillance, a Private Investigator has to ask the client many questions, even difficult questions.