How would you feel about doing Private Investigative Work after retirement from the Service?

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:10:49 -0500

Have you ever wondered how it would be to be a Private Investigator? Is Private Detective work for you? Actually, Private Investigations is one of the fastest growing professions in the Country. Do you have what it takes to be a Private Investigator? Once I retired from Law Enforcement, I vowed that I would never be anyone's else employee again. I open up my own Private Investigative/Security Agency and Consulting Firm. I've been in business now since 1991 and we are still one of the premier PI Agencies in the World. What do you think? Do you have what it takes? If you are looking for that one special occupation, once retiring from Active Duty, consider being a PI. Not only can it be very lucrative, it's rewarding and challenging at the same time. This is not the Magnum PI or Phillip Marlowe, which is the stereotype type PI work, this is the real world professional Investigator and what PI's do all day long.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Feb 19 at 2015 8:30 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:30:11 -0500

My cousin's husband got out of the police force and started doing PI work. One day he was called to track a cheating husband who just happened to be a cop he was on the force with. Needless to say, when the cop figured out he was being observed he wasn't too happy and tempers flared. When you inject yourself in domestic "affairs" you could find yourself getting burned. My cousin's husband was almost shot. He decided it's safter to do security and teach gun classes.

So my question to you is, "Is there any type of PI work that you prefer?" Would you rather catch a cheating husband or go after someone who's well enough to go play the links, chop wood, etc. but collecting work comp?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 20 at 2015 10:57 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 10:57:25 -0500

I would not mind learning more about becoming a private investigator.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 11:05 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 11:05:13 -0500

Certainly sounds interesting. As I am sitting at 20 years, I am looking into mutliple fields. I'd have to find something that gets me out of an office.

Response by Sgt James Morse made Feb 21 at 2015 1:59 PM

Sgt James Morse — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:59:45 -0500

I actually got my PI license while I was still in the service; one of the training agencies offered night classes, which enabled me to be licensed by the time I left the service. The only issues I had were pay (in order to run your own agency in VA you have to have a separate set if licenses and prohibitively expensive liability insurance) and having enough work. My military career had left me with a perfect skill set and plenty of experience, so the cases went fast and the agency I was working for went from a backlog, to no work in the three weeks I was there. It wasn't hard work (surveillance isn't that tough as a civilian when you have been doing it for years in the USMC), but it wasn't always pleasant!

I found that once work slowed down it was best to have other things to do, so I got my PPS and armed security certs, which a lot of work up to me.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Feb 21 at 2015 6:28 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 18:28:41 -0500

What does it usually pay in an average year?

Response by SSG Sean Gallagher made Feb 25 at 2015 3:17 PM

SSG Sean Gallagher — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:17:28 -0500

Sounds interesting.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Feb 26 at 2015 1:52 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:52:51 -0500

With all the interest on this subject I strongly recommend that you tune into my weekly Radio Show, "Ask-A-Pi." The Show airs every Monday evening from 1900 to 2000 hours (ET) at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/askapi . If you are seriously interested in becoming a Private Investigator, we talk about everything anyone needs to know from becoming a PI and running your own PI/Security Agency. During the Show, I urge anyone to call in , [login to see] , and ask any question at all pertaining to the PI/Security industry.
This is a International Radio Show that is full of great and valuable information. If you do call in and I cannot answer your question, I will at least be able to direct you to where you can find the answer to your particular question. Tune into the Show! What do you have to loose? As the saying goes, stay informed, stay connected , "Ask-A-PI!" SF!

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Feb 26 at 2015 2:25 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 14:25:30 -0500

Did a bit of unofficial investigation when trying to find my ex to serve her with papers. She tended to duck service as well as child support payments.

Tons of info available in public records and public social media outlets. Needless to say, I found her using publicly-available info and was able to forward the info to the process server for successful service.

Response by LCpl Joshua Batten made Mar 11 at 2015 1:37 PM

LCpl Joshua Batten — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 13:37:53 -0400

Sounds like a good job.

Response by SSG Harper Peterson made Mar 11 at 2015 8:55 PM

SSG Harper Peterson — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 20:55:53 -0400

I wouldn't mind it at all. Right up my alley, so to speak.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2015 12:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 00:40:45 -0400

Sgt David G Duchesneau, I live in Nashua, NH and I am very interested. I was looking at the state’s site for licensing and I see there’s a weapon qualification requirement. Are there any guidelines on that handgun you can use for qualification? If you qualify with one handgun is that the only gun you can carry while working? I have a few carry guns and carry each depending on the weather and my style of dress.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 13 at 2015 9:33 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 09:33:58 -0400

When phasing out my police career, I became a PI for several years. Very demanding if you want to be considered good, but worth it.