Private Investigator Ethics

Unfortunately, the news often tells stories of private investigators conducting themselves in a unethical, often illegal, manner. As a private investigator you must be ethical in all that you do even if it means turning down an investigation. 

Ethical behavior continues to be a problem for private investigators, a relatively small group of private investigators. So how do you avoid becoming embroiled in an ethical dilemma. 

• Follow the law - Sounds simple enough. As a private investigator you would probably never consider breaking the law. Unfortunately, some do. Remember that "bending the law" is another way to of saying "break the law." Make sure that you are aware of the laws related to your private investigator duties and tasks whether it is the use of GPS tracking devices, conducting searches, or accessing information. "Ignorance of the law is no excuse!" You must stay abreast of the law. Sometimes, staying within the boundary of the law may still be considered unethical behavior in the application. Never break or bend the law. You will go to jail if you do, and consider that the penalties may be harsher as you know better. 
• Does it feel wrong? - Probably the best moral compass is your feeling that something you are about to do is not quite right. If your client asks you to do something that you are not comfortable with, respond with a firm "No" immediately. Often private investigators get in trouble when they exceed the scope of their investigation. This not only creates problems for the investigator, but it does not serve the needs of their client. This opens you to civil liability as well. Avoid going on a "witch-hunt". If you are tasked with investigating employee theft, stick to the alleged theft.  If you feel uncomfortable in completing a specific task, chances are it is because you know it to be unethical. (Once had a private investigator tell me that an employee he investigated wasn't committing a theft as was originally suspected, but the investigator boasted, "But, I broke up his marriage when I caught him fooling around with another woman." and then he laughed. Hmmmm...not within the scope of the investigation.)
  
• Industry Standards - Most states have governing boards or associations that outline how private investigators should complete their work. Know them, you are expected to know them, and follow them. The public will look to the industry guidelines as well as their own morals to determine your guilt or innocence. Making a defense of "I didn't know" seldom, if ever works. Also, consider that your unethical behavior will follow you. Chances are you will get caught. A colleague once said, "You may get away with doing something unethical for a few days, maybe a month, or even a year. BUT, it will catch-up to you eventually." Wise warning. 
  
• "What would your parents or loved ones think?" - Would your personal support group be proud of you? The answer to this question is probably one of the best barometers for determining ethical behavior. Best used when you feel the issue at hand is "cloudy" as to ethical practice. Our best advice when encountering questions about ethical behavior where there is not a clear cut answer is to assume the worse, that it is unethical, and avoid it. Let's face it - if a storm cloud was approaching and it was not raining yet, you probably wouldn't set-up the picnic table outside!
  
• Think of others - As a private investigator you think of others everyday. Your job requires that you protect the innocent, and ensure the protection of the accused. Consider your fellow private investigators in the profession. Whenever a private investigator is caught in an unethical behavior it reflects on all of us. 
  
• Surround yourself with ethical colleagues, avoid those that aren't - Ever hear the statement, "Guilt by association"? If you are regularly in the company of those that are unethical, you will be viewed by others as unethical as well, whether or not you are. You know those that are ethical. Stick with them. Not only will you avoid the perception that you are unethical, but you will improve your moral compass when it comes to ethics. 
  

Still not convinced!!! If you conduct yourself in an unethical way it will catch-up to you eventually. Consider the short and long term damage it will do to your career, your relationships with those around you, and the inevitable guilt and regret you will endure the remainder of your life. Unfortunately, it doesn't work in real life like it does in the movies. If you conduct yourself in an unethical manner the damage is severe and long term. 

For those private investigators that ethical in all that you do....THANK YOU!!!!!