A private investigator is an individual charger with other persons or organizations to perform surveillance, research and investigatory law services. Examples of services undertaking by private investigators include doing investigatory work for attorneys in civil cases, insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims and defense attorneys in criminal defense and capital punishment cases. Couples have also been known to seek the services of private investigators to provide evidence of adultery hence establishing grounds for divorce. This was and continues to be one of the most profitable ventures that private investigators undertake since what is at stake is highly valuable including property, alimony and child custody. The big question however is to find out what it takes in terms of education and experience to become a private investigator. In order to become a private investigator in the state of North Carolina, one is required to apply for a state license in the North Carolina Department of Justice and pass the license exam. One must have basic formal education and at least three years experience private investigative work and have no criminal record (Anonymous, par 39).
During studies, private investigators acquire skills that enable them work in across a number of fields. So as to meet the projected demands of a private investigator, there are private colleges that offer short courses lasting up to one year. These courses include electronic surveillance, photography, criminology and psychology. In addition to the courses, the students are also taught fraud investigation and interrogation and interview techniques which come in handy especially when investigating criminal cases. Although there is no specified academic path, most private investigators hold a basic first degree in any law related subject in order to be proficient. Following the technological advanced society we live in, some background information is also highly recommended because most investigative work takes place on computers (Dempsey, 332). In order to have competitive advantage, it is important to have knowledge of a foreign language in order to carry out international investigatory work. It is important to note that being a private investigator posses risks to one’s life citing the moments of confronting criminals in the interest of public safety. It is for this reason that private investigators need to be taught self defense and arrest tactics and also learn how to use weapons hence justifying the acquisition of a special use firearms license.
Apart from a solid educational background private investigators also require crucial skills and personal qualities which include inquisitiveness, good communication skills, problem solving capacity, honesty and excellent resourcefulness. One must also be able to make quick decisions as well as be persistent with good organizational and analysis skills in order to be effective in their career (Dempsey, 334). To be a private investigator, it is evident one must possess various techniques to uncover the hidden facts about personal, financial and legal matters. Employment positions are also readily available because apart from working as security specialist in large corporations one can be self employed. Research conducted to find out the demographics of private investigators in the United States reveal that thousands of detectives, police officers and other law enforcement employees turn to become private investigators every year. Apart from the necessary educational background to become a private investigator, it is important for individuals wishing to become private investigators to check with the state board so as to see the type of license required and the registration process. Most states in the America require private detectives to have a license in order to be professional. A license exam is usually undertaken in order to verify an individual’s expertise and knowledge in the field of private investigation.
Works cited
Anonymous. Security Guard Training Tips. Best Security Guard Training, Tips and Jobs. 2013. Retrieved from http://www.securityguardtrainingtips.com/Private-Investigator-State-Requirements.php on 6/11/2013.
Dempsey, John S. Introduction to Private Security. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.
