Private Investigator Safety

Private investigators work in unsafe environments. It's part of the job. Maintaining your safety is critical as it may take several minutes for help to arrive. Following are a few safety tip reminders:

• Be Aware of Your Surroundings - Always!
  1. Make an effort to scout out surveillance locations in advance. Study online maps, conduct pre-surveillance visits, and talk with colleagues about areas where you will be conducting surveillance.
  2. Collect emergency and non-emergency phone numbers for local law enforcement. It is important not to rely only on “911” to summon assistance. When using a cell phone it is possible that your call may be directed to a neighboring jurisdiction. If this happens you will want to hang up and quickly dial the local police department. Program local police department main phone numbers into your phone for quick retrieval. (You put an underscore or the letter “A” in front of the department name to make it show up first in your contact list)
  3. Review crime statistics for the area you will be working in. Often you can find this information online through news articles, or, some police department websites provide crime statistics information.
• Identify evacuation routes -
  1. When you enter a building, immediately look for exits. Always identify 2-3 exits depending on the size of the building. When possible, position yourself near one of the exits where you can observe the entrances.
  2. When conducting interviews, avoid placing the individual you are interviewing between you and door. In the event the individual reacts violently, you do not want to be cut off from exiting the room and summoning assistance.
  3. While on mobile surveillance, always try to maintain space between you and vehicles in front of you. Always be aware of possible exit routes in the event you need to move quickly away from the area. Consider using a GPS device to assist you in identifying alternate routes in the event your subject attempts to confront or follow you.

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• Maintain a defensible posture when standing & talking to individuals -
  1. Always keep an exit route open behind or to the side of you.
  2. Stand with your shoulders at an angle to the individual you are speaking to. This is critical if you are carrying a weapon. Keep your weapon side farther away from the individual in the event they attack.
  3. Maintain an arms length distance between you and the individual you are talking to. The distance allows you time to react in the event they lunge forward in an attempt to attack. Be prepared to side-step their advance.
  4. Maintain eye contact with the individual and be alert to potential aggressive body language such as clenching fists, erratic hand movements, or stepping toward you while angry.
• Communicate your location away from the office -
  1. Establish a check-in schedule with someone. Let them know where you are.
  2. Establish a plan in the event you do not check in on time.
  3. Create code words in the event you are in trouble and need assistance. It can be as simple as calling your office, or contact person, and saying a code phrase, i.e. “I have to pick John from the airport.” Or some other phrase that will clearly indicate there is something wrong.
  4. Consider allowing a colleague or co-worker access to track your cell phone. Smartphones offer several apps that will allow you to do this.

Focus on each of the safety tips above everyday until they become a habit.

Remember the phrase, “Let’s Be Safe Out There!”, everyday!  Please post your safety tips  for the benefit of your private investigator colleagues. ​