Hiring a private investigator can be a difficult and challenging process.  It’s something most people don’t do much (if ever) and can be one of the most important decisions you can make. It boils down to trust and confidence. You are placing your complete trust and confidence in a person to perform a critically important task. The results of this task could literally impact your life; therefore, selecting the right person for the job is extremely important.  It is also important to note that there is a vast spectrum of experience out there when it comes to investigators. Many are retired local or federal law enforcement officers with years of advanced training and practical experience.  Others may have gone the other route and attended a local community college for several classes, passed a test, and were then granted a license by the state.  As you can see, there is a significant difference in the experience and training levels you might encounter when looking for a private investigator.

Watchmen Investigation, LLC, is in a unique position to be able to provide our specialized training and experience to you.  Our expertise is drawn from years of real-world situations in fixed and moving physical surveillance, suspect, victim and witness interviews, crime scene processing and photography, obtaining statements, detailed report writing, and much more.

To help, consider these tips:

• Ask around for a referral. Your friends, business associates, your lawyer, and your insurance company may be good sources of information.
• Is your PI licensed? Not all states require PI’s to be licensed. In order to conduct investigations in the State of Washington, an agency must:
  • Be licensed as a regular business in the state
  • Be licensed as an investigative agency (or be employed by one)
  • Be licensed as a private investigator
  • Be insured or bonded
• Check your state’s private investigator associations, most of which have web sites that post their membership directory. If you can’t find a PI association for your state, there are a number of national PI organizations that refer investigators.
• Check your state’s trial lawyers’ association; they maintain a directory of PI’s in your area. In Washington, you can check a PI’s license status using the Washington State DOL License Query System.
• Check Google or your local Yellow Page ads for private investigators.
• Before you speak to an investigator, know how much you can afford to spend on your particular case type.
• When you speak to an investigator, ask if he/she has done the type of work you’re seeking and what the results were.  In most instances, your conversation with the PI will determine if you hire that PI.
• If you are a first-time private client, expect to pay a deposit before any work is begun.  This is a common and necessary business practice.