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Review this article first... Things to Consider When Hiring a Private Investigator. Are they licensed by the state? Are they Insured?
What to consider when hiring a private investigator.
If you are considering hiring an investigation agency or private investigator for personal matters this is probably a difficult and emotional time in your life. ESI would like to suggest to the customer… consider the following suggestion, take a few things into account, ask educated questions and don’t make a hasty decision when consulting with your choices, gather basics facts and information.
Ask how long has the business been in operation? Recently, licensed private investigators will have high license numbers. For example, ESI was licensed in 1999/2000 by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and our license number is 22176, the successive licensee numbers will go up from there. Newly licensed investigator need to rely on their work experience they used to qualify for the PI license as they are now building their investigative experience and contacts. So inquire about their work experience.
It is possible new agencies or investigators may lack respect of colleagues in their field due to gorilla marketing tactics stealing work product styles copyright and trademark infringement. Over populated listing on the web and search engines are some examples of gorilla marketing. These investigators do not go unnoticed by seasoned investigation agencies… and these types of marketing tactics may isolate a new investigator from seeking outside guidance from experts on difficult cases. If the investigation agency chooses to advertise they are required to provide their license number in that advertisement.
Is the investigator or agency licensed in your state? Each state sets its own licensee requirements and guidelines for their applicants. Almost all of the states in the United States require individuals to meet specific criteria to qualify as a licensed private investigator. However there are a few states that do not require individual to be licensed. Fortunately California has clearly defined requirements for individuals to qualify; with a minim of 6,000 hours work experience and/or P.O.S.T., certificate, past a written test monitored by a proctor whom is appointed by the state. Check the Department of Consumer Affairs DCA, web site for the requirements. -- http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/forms_pubs/pi_fact.shtml
The Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Securities and Investigative Services and California Association of Licensed Investigators ( CALI ) http://www.cali-pi.org/ are cracking down on “un-licensed,” individual representing themselves as investigators. These unlicensed individuals do not share the burden of economic responsibility or judicial accountability a licensed investigator possess. Subsequently, unlicensed individuals will not have Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance or general liability. Excluding civil and criminal prosecution you have limited economic recourse for their reckless acquisition of evidence. The State of California does not require a licensed private investigator to have E&O insurance, though all insurance carriers an investigator might work for will require private investigators to have a significant amount of insurance.
**Review CALI press release on Crackdown on Unlicensed Investigators**
http://www.cali-pi.org/legdocuments/Unlicensed-investigatiors-05.29.08.pdf
"The State of California does require a private investigator who carries a firearm or provides armed bodyguard services must have $1 million in insurance - $500,000 for one loss due to bodily injury or death and $500,000 for one loss due to injury or destruction of property.” Quote Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Securities and Investigative Services
The Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Securities and Investigative Services and California Association of Licensed Investigators ( CALI ) http://www.cali-pi.org/ are cracking down on “un-licensed,” individual representing themselves as investigators. These unlicensed individuals do not share the burden of economic responsibility or judicial accountability a licensed investigator possess. Subsequently, unlicensed individuals will not have Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance or general liability. Excluding civil and criminal prosecution you have limited economic recourse for their reckless acquisition of evidence. The State of California does not require a licensed private investigator to have E&O insurance, though all insurance carriers an investigator might work for will require private investigators to have a significant amount of insurance.
**Review CALI press release on Crackdown on Unlicensed Investigators**
http://www.cali-pi.org/legdocuments/Unlicensed-investigatiors-05.29.08.pdf
"The State of California does require a private investigator who carries a firearm or provides armed bodyguard services must have $1 million in insurance - $500,000 for one loss due to bodily injury or death and $500,000 for one loss due to injury or destruction of property.” Quote Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Securities and Investigative Services
Our investigative industry cycles through times of being extremely busy to extremely slow periods. Slow periods will drain the finical resources of the smaller inexperienced investigators, often making them very desperate to close a deal over the phone. Once you have surrendered your money it’s impossible to get it back if services are substandard. Ask about regular clientele; attorneys, process service, insurance carriers…etc.
The longevity and stability of any reputable agency depends on management, ethics, professionalism and work product. A professional, accurate work product brings regular contract clients. When considering an agency ask who their regular clients are, then ask for references. Contact the references.
The longevity and stability of any reputable agency depends on management, ethics, professionalism and work product. A professional, accurate work product brings regular contract clients. When considering an agency ask who their regular clients are, then ask for references. Contact the references.
When reviewing the investigation agency contract(s) their contracts should outline the investigation agency or investigators conduct, manor of performance and clearly define the retainer and rate fees. A few minutes of your time evaluating the past conduct and performance could save you an enormous amount of frustration, grief, not to mention the expenses lost on retainers allegedly used to investigative your matter.
Founders Background
If the agency is a general investigation agency handling a myriad of services indicating a broad scope of services, ask about the founder’s background. Does the founder have the expertise, education and experience to support such an establishment?
Founders Background
If the agency is a general investigation agency handling a myriad of services indicating a broad scope of services, ask about the founder’s background. Does the founder have the expertise, education and experience to support such an establishment?
Since 911 everyone has been unwillingly thrust into a changing political clement. Our State and National Governments our wildly reforming legislation based on a narrow prospective, thus medicating the symptoms and not addressing the cause. In turn our investigative industry is in the throws of constant scrutiny by the media and criticized by law makers. Unfortunately, these lawmakers have turned a deaf ear to industry leaders and refuse to consult participants for their contribution. Drafting bills with prejudice and contempt; refusing guidance, creating flawed amendments that will eventually paralyze the private sectors ability to access information. Subsequently, if your agency is uninformed about the changing laws and operates in a manor of disregard to the changing legislation, seizes evidence by any means possible. Your organization or your good name could reluctantly be forced into the media spotlight followed by law enforcement and judges handing out imposed restoration. Then our law makers’ were wanting their turn on the band-wagon of reform… to promote their version of modifications. In the end the result is the same; their singular perspectives contribute to uninformed decisions and penalize professional investigation agencies. This topic alone is a minefield of tenuous interpretations and (misinterpretations) being defined by lengthy judicial conflicts.
Does the investigator or agency have employees or subcontractors? Employees that are trained by the employer can provide level standard of performance. The employer has made a commitment to train their staff and is willing to accept the responsibility for their performance. Investigation agencies providing subcontract investigators have a limited standard of performance and limited quality control, in both aspects of report writing and investigative quality of services. In this case the consumer will not know who is really conducting the investigations or that individual’s background.
Is this person you consulted doing the work? If the agency has subcontractors are they licensed and insured? Inquire about their insurance and General Liability? Again, there are professional agencies that adhere to ethical standards and provide quality subcontractors as well as professional agencies that provide quality work product by their employee. Your task as customer is to find out, if the agency has standards and do they adhere to their standards. Finally the consumer should always gather information in an effort to make an informed decision and always hold fast to the principal “CAVEAT EMPTOR,” let the buyer beware.
Article by: Lori Johnson
Director of Operations – ESI
Empire Specialized Investigations
California licensed Private Investigator 22176
Paralegal / Legal Administration
949.645.1492
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/
