Private Investigators play a vital role in our society, often portrayed as enigmatic figures in popular culture, donning trench coats and fedoras, gathering confidential information in dimly lit offices. While the image of a Private Investigator may be intriguing, many wonder about the real-world interactions between Private Investigators and law enforcement agencies. As the owner of Investigreat, an investigation firm with years of experience, I’m here to shed light on this question and provide you with valuable insights into the collaborative efforts between Private Investigators and the police.
The Relationship Between Private Investigators and Police
Private Investigators and law enforcement agencies have distinct roles and responsibilities, but they can collaborate on certain cases. It’s essential to understand that Private Investigators are not police officers, and they don’t have the same legal authority or jurisdiction. However, their expertise and resources can complement the efforts of the police in various situations.
Mutual Respect and Cooperation
In many cases, Private Investigators and law enforcement agencies maintain a professional and cooperative relationship. Both parties recognize the importance of their respective roles in the justice system. Private Investigators respect the authority and jurisdiction of the police, and the police acknowledge the expertise and skills of Private Investigators. In fact, many Private Investigators actually started out as Police Officers and when they retired, became Private Investigators!
Working Together on Certain Cases
Private Investigators may assist law enforcement agencies in solving cases or gathering information. This collaboration often occurs when the police department is understaffed or overwhelmed with a high caseload. Private Investigators can provide additional manpower and resources to help expedite investigations. We also have been called on by the Police in some of our cases to assist.
Gathering Evidence
Private Investigators can legally gather evidence that may be useful in a criminal or civil case. This evidence can be handed over to the police to aid in their investigations. However, Private Investigators must adhere to strict legal and ethical guidelines when collecting evidence to ensure its admissibility in court. That is why it is best to hire a licensed investigative firm to help you in your case. We have helps countless attorneys and individuals with their cases by finding the evidence they need in regards to their legal matters. So, it is always best to go with an investigation firm and not try to do it yourself.
When Private Investigators and Police Collaborate
Now that we’ve established that Private Investigators and the police can work together, let’s explore the scenarios in which such collaboration is most common. We had a case a few years back in which a Police Detective in a department on the west coast contacted us for help. We had completed a case in which someone had been scammed online and managed to track down the individual, who we found down south. Our client had posted about the situation and this Police Detective saw his post and realized that the subject in that case was the same as the one that she was investigating. We shared our findings with her and she was able to track down the person in her case.
Missing Persons Cases
When a person goes missing, time is of the essence. Private Investigators can assist in locating missing individuals, gathering information, and providing leads to the police. Their expertise in conducting thorough searches and interviews can be invaluable in such cases. For example, when a teen runs away, we can help follow the leads to find them when the family may not have as much luck. We had one case in particular where a girl ran away and her best friend did not want to tell anyone that she knew where she was. So, we spoke with the friend and her parents and simply hinted that perhaps if she sent her friend a text saying that her parents were worried and wanted her to reach out. We did not demand that she give us her whereabouts (as the runaway’s parents had done). She did and that night the girl reached out to her parents and came home the next day.
Surveillance and Background Checks
Private Investigators often handle surveillance and background checks for various clients, including attorneys, corporations, and individuals. Occasionally we may uncover certain information while doing so that Law enforcement agencies may need. They then may reach out to the investigation firm that handled it for some input on the situation and what was observed when the Private Investigator was conducting undercover operations or surveillance on suspects.
Fraud Investigations
Private Investigators excel in uncovering fraudulent activities, such as insurance fraud or corporate fraud. They can gather evidence and compile comprehensive reports that can be used by law enforcement agencies to build cases against fraudsters. For example, we do worker’s compensation cases where the employee is suspected of not being injured or injured but still able to perform their jobs. We are then hired to do surveillance on the subject to find out if this is the case or not. If the company that hires us brings them to court, our investigation firm will then share our findings with law enforcement so that applicable action can be taken to enforce the necessary laws. We have also been called in as an expert witness in some cases as well.
Civil Cases
In civil litigation, Private Investigators can assist in gathering evidence to support a client’s case. This evidence can include witness interviews, surveillance footage, and background checks. If the civil case involves criminal behavior, the information gathered by Private Investigators can be shared with the police for further investigation. For example, a landlord may hire us to do surveillance on a tenant. A civil situation may turn into a criminal situation if while we are observing the subject, they are observed performing an illegal action. Then this information may be shared with the Police to take further action at that point.
The Importance of Hiring a Reputable Investigation Firm
When considering the services of a Private Investigator, it’s crucial to choose a reputable and licensed investigation firm like Investigreat. A reputable firm adheres to strict ethical guidelines, ensuring that all investigations are conducted legally and professionally. Moreover, working with a licensed Private Investigator guarantees that the information collected can be used effectively in court proceedings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Private Investigators and the police can and do collaborate in various situations to solve cases and gather information. While Private Investigators don’t possess the same legal authority as law enforcement officers, their expertise and resources can be instrumental in assisting the police with their investigations. At Investigreat, we are dedicated to providing top-notch investigative services and adhering to the highest ethical standards. If you require the assistance of a skilled Private Investigator, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you find the answers you need, delivering results with professionalism and integrity. Trust Investigreat for all your investigative needs.
Meet the author, Terri Dornfeld:
Terri Dornfeld has been working right alongside Expert Private Investigator, Adam Dornfeld throughout his career and is also a Licensed Private Investigator in both New York State and Connecticut. Some of her articles have also been published by both “The Investigator’s Toolbox” and “CALI” (California Association of Licensed Investigators) and she and Adam have been interviewed for their expertise by the “PI Perspective” Podcast Series. In addition to running the office, she also performs surveillances and site inspections. Her strength is in OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) searches, deep web, data and social media searches. She does her best to get the answers every client needs, and delivers.