The Best Way to Enter the Profession \u2013 Courses ?<\/strong><\/p>\nIt should be obvious that the first or best way to a career as a \u201cprivate\u201d investigator is to be formally trained, usually this means having served in the police.<\/p>\n
There are some courses and while all education is great, the reality is that there is nothing to beat a known professional investigator and someone who can demonstrate experience. Otherwise, it\u2019s junior work only, if indeed there is such a position in one of the larger companies, on contract and the fluctuations of income that results.<\/p>\n
A few years ago there were a few courses in New Zealand but these ceased due I believe to the inability to find placements and the lack of uptake.<\/p>\n
Assuming a person is suitably qualified and wants to enter the profession, they should try to meet with a private investigator and discuss their goals and be willing to start on a trial on a limited rate.<\/p>\n
If you have no previous investigative experience or limited experience then it\u2019s an uphill battle and you cannot blame the industry participants for not replying to your requests because they get a lot of enquiries and as mentioned their time is billable. You really need to find a personal connection.<\/p>\n
Police vs. the Corporate World<\/strong><\/p>\nIt is very different performing an investigation for a corporate as opposed to \u201cbeing the Police and having the power of arrest\u201d. Today\u2019s clients know our business and they definitely know their business, so there is no pulling the wool over their eyes. Private clients demand respect, results, accountability and will be watching every minute spent critiquing the enquiry and the bill.<\/p>\n
The one skill that shines through in virtually every successful investigation is the investigators ability to interview. Any investigator wishing to enter the private profession should be willing to learn everything they can about interview skills.<\/p>\n
Likewise, there is no room for \u201cthe old ways\u201d and you must be prepared to commit to any and all ongoing training and the changes in legislation especially privacy, employment and health and safety. I fondly recall sitting at the rear of the Association for the Deaf classes with earplugs learning lip reading just to be able to lip read in pubs.<\/p>\n
The New Zealand Institute of Professional Investigators Inc. (\u201cNZIPI\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\nI have already mentioned the NZIPI. This industry body was started over 25 years ago by a group of PI\u2019s who wanted to show the clients that they were credible and would work to a \u201cCode of Ethics\u201d. I was a founding member.<\/p>\n
To join you apply using the appropriate forms and your application is canvassed to every full member who has the opportunity to comment. Once the application has been considered the Executive Committee makes a decision and that decision by consent of the applicant is final and the reasons are confidential to the Executive.<\/p>\n
The Institute is often referred to as \u201cThe Industry Body\u201d, in reality it is a like-minded professional group who as mentioned value their industry and will commit to ethical values and practices. NZIPI is regarded highly by the Licensing Authority and other agencies due to the reasons above and membership is something to proudly display.<\/p>\n
Note:<\/p>\n
\n- Membership is individual only, not corporate.<\/li>\n
- The membership criteria is clearly detailed on the Institute file under the Rules at the Registrar of Incorporated Societies that can be found online.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The annual membership is currently $200 and for that there are a number of benefits the most obvious being able to advertise acceptance as a member. There is the ability to network with other professionals, receive a copy of the NZ Security Magazine and attend our meetings.<\/p>\n
Like all groups, membership is what you make it and the effort you are willing to put in.<\/p>\n
Closing<\/strong><\/p>\nParagon typically receives about three or four enquiries a week, often from people with some experience and while I do like to reply where possible and to help if I can, unfortunately as mentioned, time is money in this business and the profession is not that large.<\/p>\n
If you really think, having regard to all the comments above, that the profession is for you, you are able to work your way up with not a lot of income at times then I do encourage you to pursue the same. If that is the case, then the first thing I would do is to start learning or perhaps if already qualified, committing to advanced learning of interview skills.<\/p>\n
Every so often Paragon has an opening and we usually advertise seeking a specific skill set, but we will keep CV\u2019s on file if asked. We usually have one junior on our team.<\/p>\n
It takes a certain person to be a successful PI, usually a person who is very savvy, confident and a bit outgoing, able to talk to anyone at any time.<\/p>\n
Ron McQuilter CFE<\/strong><\/p>\nManaging Director Paragon<\/strong><\/p>\nCurrent Chairman NZIPI<\/strong><\/p>\nT +64 (021) 2222232<\/p>\n
E ron.mcquilter@paragonnz.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Being a Private Investigator in New Zealand Note: This document has been prepared by the writer and are entirely the personal views of the writer and not anyone else. The points are intended as a guide only. I am often asked what the criteria, age and abilities are to; Apply for a private investigators licence […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":537,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5,21],"tags":[73,52,25,26,70],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=367"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":595,"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367\/revisions\/595"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paragonnz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}