We Are AIIP: I’m a Private Investigator
By Victoria Balzarini
Following is the first in our We Are AIIP series, which offers a glimpse into the different kinds of work our members do.
In your bio, you describe yourself as a private investigator. What is it that private investigators do?
As a private investigator, I’m passionate about helping businesses and individuals mitigate risk. And like most PIs, when I tell people what I do, many people imagine the stereotype seen on television. In reality, though, investigators focus on information that helps people and businesses make smart and ethical decisions and partnerships.
Most of us in the industry specialize in a few areas, such as background investigations, employment screening, government security clearance investigations, workplace investigations, or risk analysis. Some conduct surveillance, while others focus on online information. And some PIs work with individuals, while others work with businesses or government organizations.
In what kind of situations do clients decide they need a private investigator?
Clients hire PIs when they need help solving a problem in which all other appropriate avenues for solving the problem have fallen short of the intended goal. Common situations include locating someone for business purposes, usually within the financial or legal industries, or a corporation needing background research prior to entering into a business partnership. Businesses often turn to private investigators for concerns such as lost proprietary information, missing equipment, or unethical employee conduct.
What does it take to become a private investigator?
Private investigators come from many types of backgrounds, including finance, business, legal, journalism, library science, law enforcement, and government civil service. Whatever profession leads someone to become a PI, though, they must be curious, have lots of patience, and enjoy learning.
Private investigators must meet the standards and credentialling process in their state or province, which varies in each jurisdiction. For example, Washington State requires three years of investigative experience, fingerprinting and a background investigation, references, proof of certified training, and insurance. In other states, such as Idaho, the only requirement is to have a business license, so anyone interested in becoming a PI should learn their local laws.
What do people need to succeed as a private investigator?
In order to be a successful, a private investigator must be an organized business owner first, and that’s why my AIIP membership is so valuable. Through my membership, I’ve also increased my network—an essential asset for any PI—and learned ways to improve my research and report writing skills.
PIs also need to stay up-to-date on new technologies and database resources to meet changing client needs and demands. Several laws and regulations govern the profession, so it’s crucial that we stay involved with our local and national associations.
That’s why continuing education is so important for PIs, and we have a wide range of options, from online webinars to multi-day in-person courses. It’s also important to attend association conferences, including PI-focused organizations and AIIP.
The days of the jack-of-all-trades private investigator working alone are a thing of the past, and it’s essential that PIs today keep learning and refining their areas of specialty and stay connected.
Victoria Balzarini is a principal private investigator based in the Seattle, WA area. Her agency, Blue Eagle Security Solutions LLC, focuses on business intelligence, open source intelligence, background investigations and workplace investigations. Contact her at victoria@blueeaglesecuritysolutions.com.
