If I wanted to become a private investigator....?

Question

what is required, where do I go, how can I make it happen....please?

Answer 1

I worked with PIs, and most of them had been police officers before, or had degrees in criminal justice, or had their CFEs (Certified Fraud Examiner).

My cousin also used to work for a PI firm and he has a criminal justice degree. However, they do not get paid very much ($30K a year is what my cousin made) and the work can be boring (but it probably has potential to be very exciting too).

Look up some different PI firms on the Internet and do some job searches to see what qualifications/education is required. If you don't have a degree, I am sure there are companies who would start you out as an investigator with on the job training but I am sure you would not make much to start out. It really doesn't take a lot of skill to sit and surveil people but I am sure there is also some formal procedural training involved. The more experience you get, as with any other career, the more you will probably make.

Answer 2

It depends on where you want to work. States have different requirements. There are different types of private investigators. Some are general investigators. If you want to know how to become a private investigator, consider what type of investigations you might want to conduct. Corporate investigators typically need a 4 year degree. Coursework in finance, accounting, and business is often preferred. Because many financial investigators have an accountant’s background, they typically have a 4 year degree in accounting or a related field. Many computer forensics investigators need a 4 year degree in a field such as computer science or criminal justice. Many colleges and universities now offer certificate programs and degrees in computer forensics. Because computer forensics specialists need both computer skills and investigative skills, extensive training may be required if you want to become a private investigator of this type. Many computer forensic investigators learn their trade while working for a law enforcement agency, where they are taught how to gather evidence and to spot computer-related crimes. Many people enter law enforcement to get this training and to establish a reputation before moving on to the private sector. If you become a law enforcement officer, you will already understand how to become a private investigator. Because they work with changing technologies, computer forensic investigators never stop training. They must learn the latest methods of fraud detection and new software programs and operating systems by attending conferences and courses offered by software vendors and professional associations.

Answer 3

A criminal justice degree with a specialisation in police administration, investigations or security would be good.

But you need to realise that becoming a private investigator requires experience and practical training. And the best way to get training & experience is to join a law enforcement (local, state or federal) or in the military. That will give you the practical training you need, in addition to giving you enough funds to start your degree. You will also gain a better understanding of the investigative processes you will follow when carrying out your work.

Answer 4

diverse states have diverse criteria for inner most investigators. also, there are sorts of investigators. To develop right into a private investigator, you want a license in maximum states. notwithstanding, you are able to artwork for a private investigator without a license. you frequently do not want a school degree to develop right into a private investigator. regardless of if it truly is a good suggestion to get a school degree. Many inner most investigators have a school degree, and some companies ought to require their investigators to have a level. college classes in criminal justice and political technology will be effective to aspiring inner most investigators. regardless of if previous artwork journey is mostly required, some human beings enter the career right now after graduating from college with a 2 or 4 12 months degree in criminal justice or police technology. There are sorts of inner most investigators. some are usual investigators and some focus on a particular section or section. evaluate what type of investigations you should want to habit. company investigators in many situations want a 4 12 months degree. Coursework in finance, accounting, and organisation is often favourite. because many fiscal investigators have an accountant’s historic past, they commonly have a 4 12 months degree in accounting or a suitable field. Many pc forensics investigators want a 4 yeard degree in a field which includes pc technology or criminal justice. many faculties and universities now grant certificate classes and ranges in pc forensics. because pc forensics experts want both pc skills and investigative skills, huge practise should be required in case you want to develop right into a private investigator of this type. Many pc forensic investigators study their commerce at the same time as operating for a regulation enforcement company, the position they are taught a thanks to assemble data and to % out pc-suitable crimes. many human beings enter regulation enforcement to get this practise and to ascertain a attractiveness and make contacts earlier shifting on to the own sector. inner most investigators in many situations have previous artwork journey. some have worked for insurance or collections agencies, as paralegals, in finance, or in accounting. again, many inner most investigators enter the sector after serving in regulation enforcement, the protection pressure, or federal intelligence jobs. those human beings, who many times are waiting to retire after 25 years of service, commonly develop into inner most investigators as a second career. Having regulation enforcement journey can help.