Who Makes a Good Investigator?

The best investigator, even when the client requires only surveillance, is the one capable in a wide variety of investigative work, understanding of the client’s needs and knowledgeable in methods and sources that might be best used to advance the clients’ interests.

Experienced Investigators of the type we seek are able to recognise the significance of what they see and what may be done with it.  It is not uncommon for us to report back to a client from an assignment on a more conclusive, less expensive way to meet their needs than the client was considering.  

No client should have to pay for the training of inexperienced, new recruits to investigation but that can be a consequence of retaining firms providing their services below market rates.  Provided video footage and reporting are of reasonable quality, this weakness may be concealed, until it is time to produce the investigator at a hearing or trial.  (No self respecting advocate for the subject, faced with surveillance evidence, will allow it to be entered as evidence without first having had an opportunity examine the paid witness providing that evidence.)  Then, the true background and demeanour of that investigator as a witness become all important.   But a history of having testified numerous times deserves scrutiny too: 

A final consideration when selecting an investigator is whether that person’s background, training and experience are relevant to your needs. 

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Other Staff

All of our investigators are licensed in the province of Ontario.  Backgrounds prior to private investigation, and education, are varied, consistent with our ability to comprehend and respond to a wide range of client needs. A large segment of the population where we work is bilingual, French and English and so is our staff.
        
          Professional Memberships and Association

         As an agency or Individually, as appropriate, we are members of the following organizations: 

Alliance for Excellence in Investigative and Forensic Accounting
Association of Certified Forensic Investigators of Canada (ACFI)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
Canadian Association of Special Investigation Units (CASIU)
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA)
Canadian Private Investigators’ Resource Centre (CPIRC)
Chambers of Commerce – Various Cities
Council of Private Investigators – Ontario (CPI-O)
Human Resources Professionals’ Association of Ontario (HRPAO) – Various Chapters
Insurance Institute of Ontario
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association (OIAA) – Various Chapters
Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) - Ontario Chapter

The New Hire

We are always interested in new hires.  It seems confidence in our ability to do the work brings that work, an investigation agency’s “build it and they will come”.  Preference is for those with some experience in private investigation or a related field and who have taken more than a few relatedcollege courses.  They have demonstrated an interest in private investigation, not just dreamed about being a P.I..  They learned from the courses taken and/or experience that there is much they do not know and are anxious to address that through further education and training.  They are honest and resourceful and understand the importance of and enjoy maintaining the tools of their trade.  They view reporting not as a burden but as their opportunity to allow the client to recognise superior work.