I want to become a private detective!

I want to become a private investigator!

Both simple statements, but not so easy for you achieve you may think! Not so now - aided by some of the excellent training programmes that are now available any person with no previous working experience can be one. However, before you even think about training it is worth considering what a private investigator is and what he/she actually does.

What is the actual difference between a private detective and a private investigator?

In the private investigation industry there is no real distinction between the two terms and both are in general use. However, traditionally, the word 'detective' is normally associated with a person involved in the detection and investigation of crime, whereas, the word 'investigator' is a more general term given to a person involved in any other aspect of investigation.

Who does a private investigator work for?

Professional private investigators undertake all manner of investigations and their clientele can include:

• Private individuals.

• Commercial firms.

• Private companies.

• Solicitors involved with criminal, civil and matrimonial cases.

• Public Bodies, such as Councils & Government Departments.

• Insurance companies.

• Banks.

• And many more....

What does a private investigator actually do?

The working life of a private investigator can be very interesting and diverse with every day bringing new and different challenges. On any given day he/she may be involved in:

• Surveillance - Observing and following persons in connection with matrimonial cases, false accident or sickness claims and allegations of general crime or industrial fraud.

• Taking statements - From witnesses or suspects.

• Criminal Defence - Instructed by a solicitor to; Investigate and substantiate an alibi, make general enquiries, prepare reports or take a statement.

• General enquiries - Intelligence gathering on companies or individuals, financial status investigations and diverse information gathering.

• Process serving - The delivery and serving of Court and legal papers on individuals and companies.

• Repossessions - Acting as an agent for a company or solicitor to repossess property or vehicles.

• Skip Tracing - Locating debtors, missing persons, relatives, absconders and lost friends or family.

• 'Locus in Quo' Enquiries (Latin for: 'the place in which' or scene of the event) - Preparing site plans, taking photographs, examining scenes and reporting on locations, particularly for road traffic accident investigations and crime defence scenes.

• Test Purchasing - for businesses and retail outlets to ensure staff adherence to company policies and to prevent or detect internal pilfering and fraud.

• And much, much more ...

What are a private investigators employment opportunities?

Self-Employment

Private investigators are normally self-employed and most run their own investigation agencies as self-employed persons.

They often pass work between themselves on a sub-contracted basis and this allows them to sent assignments to agents throughout the country and even abroad. In fact, the UKPIN is the foremost investigation network of investigators that facilitate this interchange of work.

Employed

There are also many opportunities to find employment working for the larger and more established investigation companies, as well as for large commercial and industrial companies that maintain their own in-house investigation departments such as banks, insurance companies, airlines and oil corporations.

Government sub-contract

In the last 10 years the demand from Government sector for private investigation services has exploded out of all proportions. This has been mainly due to the inability of government agencies to cope with the many problems that we face in modern society, and the severe lack of the funding to them. This has meant they have turned to the private agencies to solve their problems. There is no doubt that this trend will continue. We are rapidly heading towards the American system, where private agencies are now even involved in the law enforcement system.

Opportunity abounds, did you know:

- that the Customs and Excise use Professional Private Detectives for tracing and collection services.

- that the Metropolitan Police Head Quarters at New Scotland Yard is guarded by a private security company. 

- that the Department of Social Security are considering tendering contracts to the private sector for the investigation of social security fraud.

- that the London boroughs and regional councils are employing professional private investigators to target, gather evidence, and prosecute known criminals and trouble makers on their estates. It is called the Professional Witness Scheme and many private investigators are now involved in gathering evidence to secure Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).

As values and morals in society break down the demand for our professional services increase.

Once you are a Professional Private Detective, you will be fully qualified to tender for such contracts, and more, which can be extremely lucrative indeed.

How does a person get started as a private investigator?

At present, there are no educational standards or formal qualifications required to commence in the profession. It is a common belief that private investigators come from a police, military police or security work but this is not always true, admittedly, this would be an advantage, but it is by no means essential. There are a large number of successful working private investigators that have come from all different types of backgrounds and who have succeeded in the investigation industry as a second career through private training.

What skills does a private investigator need?

A good private investigator needs to have innate sound judgement, good common sense and the ability to correctly evaluate any given situation.

He must also have the following, many of which can be obtained through training:

• good spoken communication skills to deal with clients, and conduct interviews.

• good written communication skills to prepare reports for clients, and papers for court.

• excellent observational skills to undertake surveillance.

• attention to detail when investigating.

• the self-confidence to present information in court.

• good computer skills to use on-line resources and office software.

• honesty and integrity.

• the ability to work independently.

• a logical approach to your work.

• patience and perseverance.

Is good private investigation training essential?

The UKPIN believes that it is an absolute fundamental requirement for all persons wishing to enter our profession that quality training and ongoing knowledge acquisition is absolutely essential. Indeed, practicing Investigators still need to undergo continued training if they are to stay ahead of the game and in touch with the ever rapidly changing laws, technology and operational methods.

What about private investigation licensing?

The imminent licensing regulation by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) will fundamentally change the way the investigation industry will be run and breaking into it may be very difficult for the newcomer without good training.

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