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Career Details : Private Detectives and Investigators

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Description

Detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment, or seek, examine, and compile information for client.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Enforces conformance to establishment rules and protects persons or property.
  • Questions persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons, or individual's character or financial status.
  • Observes employees or customers and patrols premises to detect violations and obtain evidence, using binoculars, cameras, and television.
  • Assists victims, police, fire department, and others during emergencies.
  • Evaluates performance and honesty of employees by posing as customer or employee and comparing employee to standards.
  • Locates persons using phone or mail directories to collect money owed or to serve legal papers.
  • Testifies at hearings and court trials to present evidence.
  • Writes reports and case summaries to document investigations or inform supervisors.
  • Alerts staff and superiors of presence of suspect in establishment.
  • Confers with establishment officials, security department, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, and receive instructions.
  • Counts cash and reviews transactions, sales checks, and register tapes to verify amount of cash and shortages.
  • Obtains and analyzes information on suspects, crimes, and disturbances to solve cases, identify criminal activity, and maintain public peace and order.
  • Warns and ejects troublemakers from premises and apprehends and releases suspects to authorities or security personnel.
  • Examines crime scene for clues or fingerprints and submits evidence to laboratory for analysis.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Consequence of Error
    • Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
    • Importance of Being Aware of New Events
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

    Related Majors

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    Pre-engineering Chemistryadd Pre-engineering Chemistry to MyFSA
    Private Securityadd Private Security to MyFSA
    Private Security/Loss Preventionadd Private Security/Loss Prevention to MyFSA
    Public Safetyadd Public Safety to MyFSA
    Security Managementadd Security Management to MyFSA
    Security Systemsadd Security Systems to MyFSA
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