Hiring employees?

[nadalinv]

Where do you generally find your investigators? In your experience, where and how do you find the best pool of applicants?

[aremac]

If anything like Canada, most people that come across my desk claim to be surveillance capable. But after a short time out it is evident that they are not and at times I have told these new recruits to find another occupation.

You could check with local schools teaching law enforcement and or private investigator courses and recruit the cream of the crop.

Good Luck
David Coleman
Aremac Surveillance Inc.

[nadalinv]

Originally Posted by BestPI

Law enforcement is not a complete preparation for private investigator.

Can you elaborate on this?

[nadalinv]

I see what you're saying, and it does make sense in that most law enforcement officers have never been businessmen. They may not be familiar with the various aspects of running a business, of their liabilities, of the importance of having contracts and such. I agree that having a contract is absolutely essential, both to protect the PI and the client (in fact, I advise all potential clients not to do business with any PI who does not have a contract).

But in terms of evidence gathering, I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Your very example in fact seems to disprove your point - if the police don't gather evidence properly, it is thrown out and the case is jeopardized. If anything, the police are held to higher standards than private investigators because they are bound by Constitutional limitations while PIs are not.

At any rate, in terms of investigative experience, I strongly believe that law enforcement prepares you better for this career than anything else.

[Michael Newman]

Originally Posted by nadalinv

At any rate, in terms of investigative experience, I strongly believe that law enforcement prepares you better for this career than anything else.

With respect, I somewhat disagree.

Only ten percent (10%) of my federal collegues made it to the 2nd year. The reason? We were trained as federal agents, which included federal tools, federal laws, federal procedures, and federal rountines.

Moving onto the private sector is akin to have a district attorney move to the other table in the courtroom. The view is different, the tools are not all there, the routine disciplines are certainly a stranger, and the civilian laws (pretexts, etc) take time to acquire an appetite for.

Still, 10% survive and prosper. But don't expect to hire the other 90% an keep them for very long - unless you already have the bark and schedule of a SSA, ADR, watch commander, etc.

Who are the best to hire? From my perspective, it is simple. But it would take more than just a few sentences here. I will allow others to chime in first.

Michael

[shubh]

Generally, verify that the private investigator is licensed in the state of investigation, or at the very least the states have some sort of reciprocity agreement. Licensing ensures that a background check has been conducted, and the investigator has met minimum standards. Question them about state requirements for licensing and how they were met. Also, make sure that they have adequate professional insurance.

[WesternSteve]

No matter how we go about finding and/or screening them, the bottom line with our hiring of employees seems to be that we simply have to do the best we can to screen them and then give them a shot. Most don't make it long term no matter how we find them.

[shubh]

Companies that select new employees from the candidates who walk in their door or answer an ad in the paper or online are missing the best candidates. They're usually working for someone else and they may not even be looking for a new position. Watch the online job boards for potential candidates who may have resumes online even if they're not currently looking. Use professional association Web sites and magazines to advertise for professional staff. Providing promotional and lateral opportunities for current employees positively boosts morale and makes your current staff members feel their talents, capabilities, and accomplishments are appreciated.