Become a P.I - Start your Own Business Tips

I am currently training Private Investigation theory courses (Cert III Investigative Services) to allow you gain your Qld Investigators licence and the same questions are being posed by each student. 

I will attempt to outline the process by which you too can gain your licence and begin working in this exciting and diverse field. Obviously you need to start by gaining a recognised qualification through a Nationally Recognised Training Organisation (RTO). Morrissey Training - http://www.morrisseytraining.com.au/ - is the RTO for whom I facilitate this training and their qualification will allow you to work anywhere in the country, with the simple transfer of licence from your current jurisdiction, to the one you wish to work in.

Sorry, if you want to work in both locations - interstate that is - then you need to licence yourself separately in both states.

You should plan on spending a month working at your own pace through the training curriculum, with plenty of assIstance from me during one on one meetings and surveillance and investigation exercises. You can do it quicker, but for those new to this field of endeavour, there is a lot to absorb.

There is a demand for several computer generated reports, to a set format, but they are relatively complex in nature and will probably need me to help you understand them before you attempt to complete them. That said, they are far from impossible, but they are Industry standard formats and you need to be comfortable with them and the standards of grammar and spelling, typing and presentation that the Industry expects of you.

If you have never been exposed to the Judicial system, get yourself down to the local Courthouse and sit in the public Gallery - several times - to acquaint yourself with the proceedure's employed there. Listen to the way a Prosecutor conducts his or her case and contrast that with the style of the Defence counsel. Defence lawyers are paid to discredit prosecution witnesses and if they spot an opening they can become slightly rabid. They will seize any opportunity, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and they gnaw away on that bone until they realise how silly they appear, the presiding Judge tells them give it a rest, or there is an adjournment called. That's how they earn their money. View it nothing more than a high priced, choreographed game and you will be able to pick apart the style and function of each player in that game.

However, you may be required to give evidence one day so you need to be prepared for that day or that defence solicitor will make you look foolish. And that can be very costly to you.

You will need to amass a reasonably complex resource kit of camera's, recording devices, laptop, portable printer, binoculars, a car - preferably nondescript and stock standard - white or light grey is good. Bright colours or unusual looking vehicles will not pass muster for the surveillance operator, it needs to be something that you would not look twice at.

I have a case full of leads, batteries - 9v, AA, AAA, Ni-Cad and Lithium, a power inverter for powering up equipment and chargers from the car, an analogue tape recorder, a digital voice recorder, a digital still camera, and a mini DV tape video camera. A good sturdy tripod is essential - don't waste your money on the light cheap ones, it will only cause frustration. The National organisations will require you to have all of this equipment before they will employ you.

You could go so far as to have magnetic signs made up for your vehicle so you can change the appearance very quickly and on an intra daily basis. I have employed the tactic of purchasing two sets of el cheapo hubcaps and having two different styles - a different set on each side to give the appearance of different cars. Men notice wheels and mag wheels are a complication you can avoid.

If you wish to seek out your own business, you will need to licence yourself as a Security Provider (Firm) in order to do so. Otherwise you will be restricted to sub contracting to the larger national organisations. Which is probably the best way to start off anyway.

I cover all of this throughout the course in far greater detail but these points are valid and important to consider. Please do not make the mistake of thinking because you watch every episode of CSI and Cold Case you will make a good Investigator. A good Investigator is one with an open mind, an inquisitve nature and an analytical brain. Passion, the need to do this, is vital.

If you think this sounds like you, I have several Federally funded positions availble to the right applicants. Contact me at - investigations@drmgroup.com.au and I will advise where to from here. It is my GUARANTEE that you will pass the course with my help, something I am happy to give you plenty of.

I look forward to speaking with you

Think Long and Prosper

Dan