Skill sets and character attributes.
I was a professional and highly trained international thief. I lied, I cheated and I stole for many years and did so around the world. And, I was very good at manipulation, misdirection and operating aggressively under the security radar of my opponents.
And, like all good operations officers, I was rewarded for my behavior repeatedly by my bosses at the Central Intelligence Agency.
The CIA values integrity more than any other character attribute. It was hammered into us from the first day of training: lie, cheat and steal like we teach you, but never, ever, against us.
Once on an airplane out of Dulles airport flying out on an assignment or when operating out of an foreign based location, you were on your own and alone with the target and when you came back, your reporting had to be 100% the truth.
Breaking the rules and lying to the CIA meant, at the minimum, expulsion from the Agency and in some cases, trial and incarceration.
My training and experience now allows me to succeed at my present profession as a private investigator. However, training and experience does not automatically equate to integrity.
As with the Agency in their hiring practices, my view is to put integrity first when hiring a private investigator.
You have a problem. And operations and results with integrity are essential.
On the most basic motivational level, people approach private investigators because they have a personal or professional issue which has grown too big to handle on their own – ‘help me with my problem’ is the query, purpose and primary content of every initial interview with a client.
Whether it is an individual worried about the fidelity of their partner in a romantic relationship or a business owner concerned about a previously trusted employee having raised suspicions of cooking the books in some manner, the information you seek and the decision to hire an investigator is fraught with understandable worry and hesitation – you want to make sure you get this right.
And, a recent consumer study indicated that close to 20% of the population in the US believe that private investigators routinely break the law in the course of an investigation! Law breaking and integrity are not compatible. My view is the great majority of investigators are hardworking and honest individuals; however, in every field there are bad apples and private investigation is no different than attorneys, the medical profession, law enforcement, etc.
Eight hiring tips.
- Run from investigators who offer to break the law for you in any manner – promising to socially hack a financial institution to get your ex-spouse’s bank records, to enter private property to steal documents, to threaten someone with bodily harm, making claims they have a friend still on the inside to feed them confidential information, etc. A reputable investigator will tell you up front what they can, and cannot do under the law;
- Check their State license – there are only three States in the US – Idaho, Mississippi and South Dakota – which do not require a professional license to operate as a private investigator. Are they a member of a professional organization?
- Do they have a website and does it make sense? Are they making claims of prowess and experience which appears more hype than reality? Does their LinkedIn profile and Facebook page match their website? Remember, you are going to be sharing very intimate details to the investigator and trust is essential;
- Ask what kind of reporting you will be receiving. For example, when we do surveillance on a target, we take hourly time shots with our cameras, so the client knows we were on the task at the times and location indicated;
- What is their employment background? If they were law enforcement, and with 90% of investigators sharing this experience, what exactly did they do in their past which qualifies them for solving your problem. The key to solving most client’s issues is innovation and creativity while remaining within the law – how did their past law enforcement work and employment demonstrate they have these specific skills to solve your problem? Ask, for example, if they have worked undercover – which hones such skills;
- What is their total background? In addition to the CIA employment noted above, I was a Marine and Navy officer and an Eagle Boy Scout – these experiences shaped, formed me and are the bedrock of my character and integrity. Your investigator is going to ask you very personal questions – they should be open about themselves to you as well;
- Not every client demands secrecy after a case. Most law firms will vouch for investigators they have used in the past. Ask if they have former or existing clients you can independently contact;
- And last – ask questions! You have expectations – state them and allow the investigator to respond.
I hope and trust the above was of interest and assistance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me – [email protected] with comments and if I can help you with your problem.