Private Investigation Law

It is important for license holders to understand that when they are traveling in or through another state they are subject to the firearm laws of that state. We have provided links to the state laws or to the licensing authorities' Web page of each of our reciprocity states so that licensees can do the necessary planning and research when preparing to travel.

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, that allows two classes of persons—the "qualified law enforcement officer" and the "qualified retired law enforcement officer" -- to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of any state or local law to the contrary, with certain exceptions.

A private investigator or private detective (often shortened to PI or private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims.

Licensing is required to become a licensed private investigator in 42 states and in some states you may actually need a city license. The only states that currently do not license private investigators are: Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

To amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen protections for law enforcement officers and the public by providing criminal penalties for the fraudulent acquisition or unauthorized disclosure of phone records.

“Oral communication means any ‘oral communication’ uttered by a person exhibiting an expectation that such communication is not subject to interception under circumstances justifying such expectation”. By definition of this code section, a person does not have an expectation of privacy, nor can he or she expect that communication will not be intercepted or recorded, if there are public signs posted which state that the communication will be intercepted or monitored.

The U.S. federal law allows recording of phone calls and other electronic communications with the consent of at least one party to the call. A majority of the states and territories have adopted wiretapping statutes based on the federal law, although most have also extended the law to cover in-person conversations. 38 states and the D.C. permit recording telephone conversations to which they are a party without informing the other parties that they are doing so.

Certified Investigative Professionals Inc. ® (CIPI), is a membership organization consisting of investigative professionals and affiliates, whose mission is to promote a standard of excellence among individual investigators, enhance public confidence in the profession, and represent the industry in business, education, and political forums.

The Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council was established to encourage a dialogue among professionals and scholars involved in various aspects of criminal defense investigations.

NALI was formed in 1967 for legal investigators actively engaged in negligence investigations for the plaintiff and/or criminal defense. These investigators may be employed by law firms, public defenders or private investigative agencies.

The National Council of Investigation and Security Services, Inc., is a cooperative effort of those companies and associations responsible for providing private security and investigation services to the legal profession, business community, government and the public. Each day we find an increasing number of problems confronting the orderly growth of our profession. These problems include, among others: overly restrictive legislation regarding training and standards, proliferation of legislation requiring local licensing, public misunderstanding and misinformation on the role and contribution of private investigators and security services, and an uninformed media. It is the role of NCISS to meet and solve these problems while seeking to uncover and recommend action on any hidden potential problems which may have an effect on our profession.

The Private Investigators Association of America is a non-profit association formed in May of 1995 by a group of Investigators. The main goal and purpose of the association is to provide an educational forum for investigators throughout the United Sates that improves the skills and the level of professionalism of those in the industry.

USAPI is quite different from other organizations in that it will be an inclusive rather than exclusive group. The first difference that you will see is that membership is open to all "professional investigators." Any individual who is currently employed in the capacity of a professional investigator including any current active duty law enforcement whether or not you are titled as an Investigator, Federal Agent, DA Investigator, Public Defender investigator or licensed Private Investigator. If you are a non-sworn employee for a law enforcement agency or an employee of a licensed Private Investigator you must be an employee for a period of no less than one year, and least 21 years of age.

The World Association of Professional Investigators, WAPI, is a private investigator body, formed by professionals, for professionals. It covers all areas of investigation, public sector and private sector, companies and individuals, corporate and domestic.

Private detectives and investigators assist individuals, businesses, and attorneys by finding and analyzing information. They connect clues to uncover facts about legal, financial, or personal matters. Private detectives and investigators offer many services, including executive, corporate, and celebrity protection; preemployment verification; and individual background profiles. Some investigate computer crimes, such as identity theft, harassing e-mails, and illegal downloading of copyrighted material. They also provide assistance in criminal and civil liability cases, insurance claims and fraud cases, child custody and protection cases, missing-persons cases, and premarital screening. They are sometimes hired to investigate individuals to prove or disprove infidelity.

Welcome to Pursuit. We hope you enjoy the newest trade journal and online community for the private investigations, legal professions and protective services industries! Pursuit was initially an informal “e-zine” (an electronic magazine circulated via email) created a couple of years ago in our effort to offer outstanding information to our private investigator continuing education clients and staying in touch with them in between their license renewal periods.