Private Investigations

I receive a lot of enquiries about training to become a Private Investigator - you know the sort of thing, is it hard to get into, is the money any good, how do I do it?

A lot of the enquiries come from tyre kickers who have watched every episode of CSI and know how to solve the case before the tv show is half finished, which I admit is admirable. Personally I think watching any episode of CSI/Law & Order et al, is akinto waterboarding or being made to eat lamb's fry every night for a year so to have seen every episode is a credit to their ability to sit still for any length of time.

That said,tongue in cheek I hasten to add, it certainly does take a certain mind set to enter into and succesfully remain in this industry. Dogged determination is a key ingredient of any good investigator and this attribute is certainly required to maintain the standards demanded by the larger players in the industry.

The proposition that you must have been a Police Officer or similar for many years is something that I want to dispel early in this piece. Great Investigators can, and do, come from all walks of life, with no Police background whatsoever, in fact many ex Police make poor investigators.

Attention to detail and an inquisitive mind are not the exclusive domain of Policemen and women and fresh perspectives in an enquiry make for interesting investigation plans.

So how do you start? Well, you need to complete the nationally recognised training course in Certificate III in Investigative Services ( I currently train this qualification - see www.drmgroup.com.au) and while you are working your way through this course, you will begin to form a picture of the equipment and other resources required to work in the industry. Make no mistake, there is a rather extensive list of equipment required to be able to start off confidently and the national Investigation companies on the Insurance panel will want to know that you have the equipment to do the job before they assign you the job.

You can of course make a start with a bare minimum and I am happy to assist anyone with a start up list and to listen to your ideas on the matter - e-mail me at training@drmgroup.com.au.

The certificate course will cost anywhere from $700 - $1000.00 depending on the company but they will all provide the same basic theoretical training. The difference will be in the practical training and 1 on 1 trainer contact where you will have the opportunity to really question the trainer and clarify any issues. I always endeavour to take trainees out on jobs with me, either Factual or Surveillance, hopefully both. By the way, Factual investigations require a higher level of reporting skills and are the side of the industry that see's you actually interviewing people, taking statements, photographs, receiving and documenting evidence of various types whilst surveillance investigations require immense patience and determination. A good surveillance agent will be able to blend into any background either on foot or in a vehicle, and maintain contact with the subject (hopefully filming them at the same time)without them realising it. It is very difficult to do well and is something I find immensely challenging and rewarding.

I do, however, tend to favour factual investigations - due to my Police background I am comfortable interviewing people and dealing with this type of Investigation. I am also not very good at witstanding the 60deg C heat inside a static surveillance vehicle, although the thrill of the chase mostly makes up for that. There is also more surveillance work around than factual and it pays slightly better due mainly to mileage considerations. Work can come from various sectors - commercial or private, a husband cheating on his wife or vice versa, a dodgy claimant who can't work but can build his mates house while he's supposed to be laid up, you know the sort of thing.

I enjoy the more detailed aspects of measuring up a motor accident scene and preparing an arson report for an Insurance claim but still find the surveillance work can be immensely challenging and rewarding.

There are several very good PI websites within Australia and from overseas so if you would like to know more, contact me through my website and I will give you the information.

PI work is for self starters, and requires focus and discipline to complete succesfully. Once you have worked for one national company, you will gradually gain the confidence of the others in the Industry and work will fall into your lap. You will need to consider a business structure and all of the reporting ramifications at government level, but it is not necessary for someone who is only going to subcontract themselves to the larger Investigation companies.

I should explain that all of the Insurance work is handled by a small group of Nationwide Investigation companies - known as "The Panel". You as an individual/sole/trader/SME will sub contract your services to those on "The Panel", you will not gain work directly from the Insurance companies.

Interested parties wanting details of possible income and training courses need to contact me at my website - www.training@drmgroup.com.au.

I look forward to helping you with your decisions and training if that is the case.

Stay Safe
Best Wishes
Biggles