There are around 10,000 private investigators in the UK of which, approximately 2,500 are registered with the Information Commissioners Office.

This year, 2014, the government are meant to be introducing a licensing scheme for private detective and investigators and it’s rumoured that the BTEC Level 3 in Advanced Private Investigation will be suitable criteria to obtain a license. It’s not definitive who will manage it but rumours suggest the SIA (Security Industry Authority) will be responsible for policing the private investigation industry.

So how do you become a Private Investigator?

Firstly, the most sensible thing to do is research fully what the job entails. So many people have misconceptions about what a private Investigator does, especially here in the UK. Contrary to popular myth, we don’t carry guns, handcuffs, or have any special powers, I don’t mean super powers, I mean legal powers!

However, without sounding like I’m contradicting myself, there is the odd moment of excitement that will have you taking deep breaths.

Basically, the bread and butter (what pays the bills) is often the more mundane jobs, such as Process Serving and Tracing missing people or debtors. The majority of the work will be serving court papers on respondents, such as; divorce papers, statutory demands, bankruptcy petitions, witness summons and so on. This will most likely come from solicitors, in fact, depending on what area you decide to specialise in, most of your work will come from law firms and solicitors.

Every so often something more exciting, more challenging arises and you’ll be asked to carry out background reports, asset searches or even Corporate Intelligence work. This type of work entails, skills, knowledge and a good deal of resources or connections within the industry to achieve a satisfactory and comprehensive report.

One of the most exciting aspects of being a Private Investigator is carrying out covert surveillance and observations. This is often for Matrimonial cases or where an insurance claimant is suspected of committing fraud. An Investigator is then tasked with carrying out a period of observations on the subject to obtain evidence that will discredit the claimant in a claim.

So you’re still excited

If you are still keen to become a Private Investigator it’s wise to follow a few basic house rules and get some credibility behind you. Registering with the Information Commissioners Office (Data Protection Act) is an essential task. It only costs around £35.00 but ensures you are registered for the information you will be holding. It pays to read up on the data protection act as well to ensure you follow the guidelines for keeping personal information.

Next port of call would undoubtedly be to obtain some form of qualification. One such organisation that provides this is the API (Academy of Private Investigators), they offer a BTEC Level 3 Private Investigator home study course which is typically studied over a 12 week period, however, some have completed it in a third of the time with respectable passes. The course gives you fundamental knowledge of the industry and information that is needed in order to keep yourself out of trouble and more importantly achieve results lawfully.

A good addition or add on to this course is the BTEC Level 3 in mobile or foot surveillance. There is a book and a course run by Peter Jenkins from ISS on this.

A course won’t make you a private Investigator!

You’ll here it here and you’ll here it dozens of times in the future, a course will not make you a private Investigator, time, knowledge and experience will do that. This is important to know, as you’ll find out, it’s best to start small and work your way up. Your fist assignment, case or job as you want to call it, should be something simple to give you a feel for the processes involved.

Issues to consider are;

Implementation
Planning
Equipment
Reporting
Invoicing
Presentation…

One of the key considerations in business should be how to retain a client as much as it should be about satisfying a client.

In terms of first impressions, you need a good clean website, simple but sharp logo and branding. Professional letterheads, compliment slips and business cards as a minimum. It will most definitely give you an edge, a business looking at your stationary against that of someone who has simply printed it off their home printer pays dividends in the long run. It gives a great first and lasting impression.

So you have stationary, website, training manuals and you’ve registered with the data controller. You have a business name and should have sorted out a PO Box, virtual office or alternative business address and of course have a computer and printer.

What’s missing… Oh yes, clients. How do we get some clients?

Join me in part 2 when I’ll be discussing the most cost effective and free ways of obtaining clients and how to make clients want your services!