UK Private Investigator Pathway
Description: UK Private Investigators conduct investigations for clients and prepare reports. They are involved with legal support work, missing people, debtor traces, process serving, surveillance and more recently forensic science. If you include, “Investigators in the Private Sector”, the industry is estimated to be at least 2,000 strong in the UK with opportunities covering a broad range of specialisms.
Employment: Practitioner are often self-employed, work alone or in partnerships or companies. PI’s can be co-opted into commercial and industrial organisations. The world of professional investigations is populated by ex Police and Military personnel, but, people from any background can enter the profession. Bailiffs, genealogists, local authority personnel and the like can often perform overlapping duties.
Conduct investigations: Surveillances; maintain records; debtor traces; pre-sue reports; field visits; seek missing persons; locate witnesses; take videos or photographs for use as evidence; work undercover to gather specific information; gather information for use in legal proceedings; conduct asset and liability checks; investigate the theft of private or commercial property; provide advice on corporate and personal matters; investigate insurance claims; prepare reports of investigations; interview and take statements from witnesses and suspects.
Personal requirements: A sound character with no criminal convictions, personal maturity, life skills, people skills, business acumen, good communication skills, good observation skills and an ability to accept responsibility.
Career / Qualification: We always recommend that private investigators have completed a test of competency that screens out applicants who are not: “Fit and proper people” such as The Level 3 Professional Investigator Award. Other formal qualifications that include English and Maths and related experience or training are useful.
The UK PI industry is dominated by small businesses, partnerships and limited companies. Recruitment is haphazard and intermittent. Some franchise opportunities exist. Part time operations / self employment pathways are the “Norm”.
Entry pathway: Complete approved and accredited training courses. Further training courses linked to private investigator techniques, knowledge and operation are recommended.
Future prospects: The private sector – private investigator can out perform many competing and related professional public sector investigators. A Private Investigator, with training and experience will find a plethora of challenges and career opportunities.