The job of a private detective is shrouded in mystery, intrigue, and excitement. Private detectives are independent contractors who are masters in surveillance, investigation, interviewing, and data analysis to solve crimes such as homicide, robbery, and arson cases. You can find professional private detectives at Steven Feakes & Associates, who are highly trained with the skills, experience, and knowledge to handle any claim.
Private Investigators work for clients as an outside resource to investigate specific cases. They may also be affiliated with law enforcement agencies in some capacity. Some private detective jobs usually require the applicant to have investigative experiences, such as being a former police officer, military intelligence agent, member of the National Guard or reserve, or law enforcement.
Education Requirements
The education requirements for this career vary by jurisdiction. Although there is no legal requirement for education beyond a high school diploma, most employers often look at your experience level and what kind of skills you have in criminal law enforcement or criminology. Having a relevant bachelor’s degree in law enforcement criminology or criminal justice will help you stand out to potential employers.
To stay sharp and relevant in the field, private detectives need to keep up with their skills by taking continuing education courses or seminars offered by various professional associations and law enforcement agencies.
How To Obtain A State License For A Private Detective
Requirements for a private detective license vary by state or local licensing authority. Depending on the state, you may need an associate’s degree or high school diploma. To obtain a federal license as a private detective, you must be at least 21 years old with a four-year degree. You also need three to five years of experience in investigative work in a recognized institution and pass an exam by the licensing agency in the state you wish to work.
Some jurisdictions require that the applicant have no felony convictions or arrests within specified periods before applying for a license. Some states also prohibit people who are wanted on outstanding warrants from obtaining a license. In some cases, you must be licensed for one year before working as a private detective.
Typical Duties For Private Detectives
The versatility of this career path cannot be understated. Private detectives can be hired by individuals, businesses, or law enforcement agencies to look into a matter deeply or from a different angle. They can be hired to investigate suspected infidelity, find lost property, identify potential witnesses in legal cases, find missing persons, and much more.
They are hired to do investigations that may be too complex for a law enforcement agency or a private company. More often than not, they are hired when the risk is higher, or the client just doesn’t feel the police are taking enough interest in their case. Corporate Espionage cases or corporate theft is another area where such investigative skills may come in handy. They can gather evidence and information that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain by other means. Private detectives may also work as forensic accountants, in which case they are trained to look for irregularities such as tax fraud, theft of intellectual property from the employer, and so on.
They also work for lawyers in civil cases and criminal defense attorneys to gather information about the other party to assist with trial preparation. Furthermore, they are also employed by plaintiffs’ personal injury law firms and insurance companies investigating suspected staged automobile accidents to prove fraudulent claims.
Skills That Private Detectives Need
Like any other career, to be a private detective, you need a certain skill set. The most important qualification is good observational skills and attention to detail to record your findings accurately. Other qualities include an eye for evidence or clues, a good memory, resourcefulness, strong observational skills, analytical ability, patience, self-control, and high emotional intelligence.
It is also important for them to have the ability to work independently as well as in groups. A high level of personal motivation and self-discipline is also important because private detectives often work on long and tedious cases.
With such a career, you need to be able to handle both the physical and mental stresses of the job and have a high degree of self-confidence in your investigative abilities. As a result, they need the strength of character and mental discipline if they are going undercover for investigations because they are often in a position of vulnerability. Since the job may require moving around, good driving skills could come in handy. As you can see, Private detectives have a very demanding job, but it can be gratifying and adventurous for the right individual.
