2 answers
My'Lirea
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
2
Questions
Asked
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What do you like most about being a private investigator ? What do you like least about it ?
Hi, I am a high school student and I want to be a private investigator. I would like to know more of pro's and con's about this specific career. #private-investigations #criminal-justice #criminal-investigations #private-detective .
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2 answers
David Krupnick
Principal at The Stanley Group - Consulting, Investigations
1
Answer
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David’s Answer
I like being able to help people who can't necessarily go to the police for help. This includes finding people, keeping people out of trouble, finding other sides to a story and getting evidence which helps someone.
The hours can be long and unlike working for a police department or agency, you only get paid when you work.
The hours can be long and unlike working for a police department or agency, you only get paid when you work.
Bastian Moritz
Corporate Security
6
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Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Updated
Bastian’s Answer
There are a lot of positive aspects working as a private investigator. You are not necessary limited in regard to the type of cases you are working (other than in law enforcement and corporate investigation, where you typically have a focus) - this makes the work very diversified, unless you specialize on something (which may make sense commercially). Very often private investigators are frelancesrs / self-employeed, so you are free in your decisions, most of the time.
On the other hand your "standing" in society is not too positive (at least in many countries) - from my observation the standing of this industry is better, the more restricted/defined the rules for private investigation are. If you are self-employed, another negative aspects is the economic uncertainty - will your client pay (on time), is there sufficient work next months etc?
Another (long term) concern I would have is that change in laws may impact the PI industry - in particular privacy. In Europe the go live of GDPR had some major impact on the active suppliers.
I have worked as a self-employed investigator, as an investigator employed by a bigger agency and as a corporate investigator - all scenarios have there pro´s and con´s. I certainly don´t want to miss my 10 years self-employement, as this teached me a lot (even outside investigation) - it was the right thing for me, when I was still young and had less obligations.
On the other hand your "standing" in society is not too positive (at least in many countries) - from my observation the standing of this industry is better, the more restricted/defined the rules for private investigation are. If you are self-employed, another negative aspects is the economic uncertainty - will your client pay (on time), is there sufficient work next months etc?
Another (long term) concern I would have is that change in laws may impact the PI industry - in particular privacy. In Europe the go live of GDPR had some major impact on the active suppliers.
I have worked as a self-employed investigator, as an investigator employed by a bigger agency and as a corporate investigator - all scenarios have there pro´s and con´s. I certainly don´t want to miss my 10 years self-employement, as this teached me a lot (even outside investigation) - it was the right thing for me, when I was still young and had less obligations.