Private Investigator Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Private Investigator What would be a good way for me to break into the business and start working as a private investigator? I know I need to get a license from my state, but what should I do beyond that and what can I do to gain experience that would make me a more attractive hire for agencies? I have already read several books and articles about PI work. I'm in Louisiana

Answer: Become a cop and have respect for yourself, then become a detective. Avoid the jr detective line of work with the same legal powers of a private citizen.

Question: How do i become a private investigator in texas? How do i become a private investigator in texas? how do i become a private investigator in texas? i live in austin texas and would like to be a private investigator but even searching the department of public safety site doesn't have a to the point answer. so spell out what is needed what are the steps?

Answer: I suggest you ask a private investigator. They are trained and spent a lot time learning to be able to help people. Try visiting a Texas private investigator since they are helpful. http://www.privateinvestigatorsguide.com/Texas-Private-Investigators.html

Question: How do you become a private investigator in texas? How do you become a private investigator in texas? I have 15yrs Military Service and still in. Who do I contact to try and do this?

Answer: Most states require you to work under a licensed PI for a number of years before applying for your own license. Most, not all. Go to the Texas state govt. web site, type in licensing, see what they have for requirements for this field. Here in NY it's 3 years under someone else. VA is 5, CA is 3, just depends.

Question: What are the qulifications/requirements to be a Private investigator or private detective? I need to know how can i start becoming a private investigator and the way i can ope a p.i firm. Please tell me about the benefits of it and also the danger. I've read a lot of joe gores novel and that's what i want to be when i grow up. Also any age requirements; i'm 16. also explain more about what it take to be a good one. i meant overall qualifications also when i say private investigator i also mean private detective

Answer: What state are you in? Requirements vary by state. But, I do think that all states require you to be 18 years old. Here are the requirements in CA: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR (FACT SHEET) Private Investigator / Qualified Manager Requirements for Licensure A private investigator is an individual who (1) investigates crimes, (2) investigates the identity, business, occupation, character, etc., of a person, (3) investigates the location of lost or stolen property, (4) investigates the cause of fires, losses, accidents, damage or injury, or (5) secures evidence for use in court. Private investigators may protect persons only if such services are incidental to an investigation; they may not protect property. An individual, partnership, or corporation licensed as a private investigator may employ a qualified manager to manage the business on a day-to-day basis. To be eligible to apply for licensure as a private investigator/qualified manager, you must meet the following requirements: * Be 18 or older. * Undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Have three years (2,000 hours each year, totaling 6,000 hours) of compensated experience in investigative work; or a law or police science degree plus two years (4,000 hours) of experience; or an AA degree in police science, criminal law, or justice and 2 ½ years (5,000 hours) of experience. Experience must be certified by your employer and have been received while you were employed as a sworn law enforcement officer, military police officer, insurance adjuster, employee of a licensed PI or repossessor, or arson investigator for a public fire suppression agency. (Work as a process server, public records researcher, custodial attendant for a law enforcement agency, bailiff, agent who collects debts in writing or by telephone after the debtor has been located, or person who repossesses property after it has been located is not considered qualifying experience.) * Pass a two-hour multiple-choice examination covering laws and regulations, terminology, civil and criminal liability, evidence handling, undercover investigations and surveillance. A copy of the Private Investigator Act will be sent to you; and * Upon notification that you have passed the examination, you must submit a licensing fee of $175 to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002. To apply for a Private Investigator license, submit your completed application, two recent passport-quality photographs, a $50 application fee and a Private Investigator Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan Operator. A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and a $19 FBI Fingerprint processing fee must be paid for each applicant at the Live Scan site. Send the application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002. See: http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/industries_re…

Question: What can a private investigator not do by law? My crazy parents hired a private investigaor and the investigator is calling my aunt and friends at ungodly hours of the night and threatning us. I got kicked out of my house and my crazy parents hired a private investigator who is calling my aunt and friends at ungodly hours of the night on a private number. They are calling and giving my aunt false information and follow my boyfriend. They know so much information it's terrorzing and violation of privacy. What can I do?

Answer: A private investigator has no more rights than a civilian. If he's doing like you say, then you need to hand this matter over to the police.

Question: What can a private investigator do legally and what is crossing the line to harassment? I went to get my mail the other day and I noticed that all of the letters in my name were on the top along with a business card for a private investigator. One of my letters looked like someone had tried (or was going to) open it. Shortly after (the next day) I got a call on my cell phone with no number or name on the caller id by a man claiming to be an old friend. I said he had the wrong # and hung up. I don't like the feeling of being watched and do not like feeling like my mail was tampered with. What action, if any could I take?

Answer: as of now you can't do anything cause no one really saw anything, and as far as the business card goes my only advice is to call and see what he wants but trust me if he asks you ANY questions, DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT, answer them. just try to find out what he wants and unless he mentions any names to you about someone trying to look for you don't tell him anything about yourself, normally if they left their business card it's usually okay for you since the job of a private investigator is to make sure you don't they are watching you, trust me on this i do this for a living. feel free to email me if you have any questions

Question: How to find a Private Investigator for a criminal case? My friend was a victim of a random, senseless crime. He was attacked with a bat multiples to the head. He has life-threatening mass head injuries. The cops/detectives are too swamped to put any effort in to this case, as they have no leads or witnesses. My friend’s family and loved ones want to hire their own private investigator to help them put the pieces together and find who did this. How can you find a Private Investigator and ensure that they are qualified to work on a criminal case (attempted murder)?

Answer: Most states have a private investigators association, whose members should be highly qualified. They will have a website. Check also with the state agency that regulates security and private investigators. For example in Texas, the Department of Public Safety regulates private investigators. Be sure that any investigator you plan to hire is licensed in that state and they should provide you a license number which most states require them to make available to prospective clients. Ask that investigator for business references. Check with criminal law attorneys and ask them to suggest an investigator that works on criminal cases. Talk to several investigators before choosing. Look at the National Council of Investigations and Security Services (www.nciss.org) website. The key is to do a lot of research to make sure you're getting the best help possible.

Question: How do I become a private investigator in California? I would like to become a private investigator. How do I go about that? How many years of school and what school do I have to go to. Please response if anyone has any further information. Thanks.

Answer: There is a licensing bureau in the state government for private investigators. You should find it on the internet and it will tell you what you need to know to get licensed. I would think some forensics, paralegal classes and other relevant coursework would be helpful. I have a friend who did one year of law school, worked for the CA bart ***'n for awhile and then got his license and is doing very well, mostly in criminal defense work, and elderabuse prosecution.

Question: How does someone become a private investigator? I live in Texas and I am trying to find out what the process is to become a private investigator. Does anyone know where I can find this information? Thanks.

Answer: The TExas Dept of Public Safety has information on private investigators http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/ The Department has contact information here for further questions: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/contact.htm

Question: Is a Texas Private Investigator License required to legally do background checks? Is a Texas Private Investigator License required to legally do background checks for criminal and civil court procedings? Current and previous addresses? Phones? email? What about employment history or rental history? What about credit checks? Do I have to be a commercial entity? Or can my commercial enterprise be "ACME Background Checks"?

Answer: Anyone can do a background check. Background checks are entirely done from publicly available information.