Tips for hiring private investigators
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It’s best to pay a visit to their office so you know who you’re dealing with and importantly, where you can find them if you need to. If you are interstate or overseas and cannot attend their office, ask for their street address. There are investigators who work from home and cannot provide you with an address however, there are other ways to verify their credentials if you don’t feel comfortable without a street address.
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All private investigators in WA must be licensed. Investigators are required to produce their license identification to prospective clients upon request. If you are restricted to dealing with them on the phone, you can ask for their license number. Investigators are licensed through the WA Police Licensing Unit, previously known as the Commercial Agents Unit.
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Most professional investigation services will ask you to sign a completed client agreement form that sets out your instructions clearly and provides a clear quotation, estimated cost and payment terms. If the firm you deal with does not, put your instructions in writing, in an email, including any investigation budget you wish to impose - and ensure that they confirm their understanding of your instructions in a reply email. This should prevent any disputes about instructions or the budget you have given them.
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Many private investigators are members of national professional associations such as the Australian Institute of Professional Investigators (AIPI) or the Australian Institute of Private Detectives (AIPD). Both institutes have member directories on their website through which you can establish if an investigator or company holds a membership. |
