Do investigative companies need to be licensed? How do I know if they are properly licensed and insured?

All security companies in Virginia must be licensed and registered with the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in Richmond. One indication that they are properly licensed is by the DCJS-allocated number displayed on their promotional materials (usually found at the bottom of business cards). Businesses will have an “11” followed by four digits. If an investigator or other type of security person hands you a card with a “99,” that indicates a registration as a P.I. or security sales person, but NOT as a business. All security personnel in the Commonwealth of Virginia are required to carry security identification and to produce it upon be requested by the client. As an added precaution, to make sure that the company is using experienced agents/investigators, ask to see a resume of the person that has been assigned to your case or project. 

Does it really matter if a company is not fully licensed, especially if it has a lot of experience? Would I not be able to save money by finding a retired government person or off-duty police officer?

It matters a great deal if a company is licensed. A company that lacks a license does not have insurance, since it must be registered with DCJS as a security company in order to receive an insurance policy. If a client hires an uninsured company that is not properly licensed, that client will be held responsible and may face a devastating lawsuit if anything goes wrong. Hiring such a company could also reflect negatively on the client’s business since it is a Class I misdemeanor in Virginia to operate a security company without proper licensing. Always ask to see a copy of business licenses and certificates of insurance.

What kind of training should investigators receive before they are deemed competent to work for a professional investigative company?

If your company is experiencing problems with fraud, embezzlement, drug abuse, etc., you will need a highly experienced investigator who has handled such cases previously. In the case of domestic/family law cases involving divorce, child custody, child/spousal support, or cohabitation, a great deal of covert surveillance will be needed. If an investigator is assigned to the case who usually works in a courthouse retrieving court records, he or she will be unable to properly follow an individual for several hours or several days as necessary. 

Many investigators spend the vast majority of the working day doing background checks for government contracts. These investigators may be young and inexperienced and more or less entry-level employees who have taken a 60-hour P.I. course. In order to cut down on expenses and make more profit, some private security business owners may use these inexperienced persons during the weekend/evenings to follow your spouse or significant other. That is a poor business practice, as they do not have the practical training/experience to properly follow and video a subject and then stay awake all night to watch for arrivals and departures from residences under observation. 

Unfortunately, many companies charge clients “top dollar” and then assign newly-trained investigators with little or no work experience and who are willing to work for less money than more experienced investigators.       

Should I ask a company for references?

Due to the sensitive nature of the profession, many clients will be reluctant to have their names released. However, a reputable company will belong to a number of organizations and associations. Ask for these associations and then contact them and ask for their opinion on the company being considered. Do not rely on a “Yellow Page” advertisement. This type of advertising merely means that the company can afford to pay a monthly charge to be found. Instead, contact organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Dun and Bradstreet, the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS in Virginia - telephone; 804-786-1132), or the Council of International Investigators (CII2.org). These professional organizations can inform you if any complaints have been received regarding Virginia companies. Visibility is also a good indicator. If a company is easy to find on the Internet (has a professional website) and has a verifiable address, it is advisable to arrange an appointment to see first hand how their operation appears.