Private Investigators, Come out of the Shadows

Jason Farrell November 29, 2011

Private Investigators are next in line for scrutiny.

Today the Home Affairs Select Committee said it wanted to explore the issues around regulation in the shady industry that has been implicated in the phone hacking scandal. In a statement, Committee Chairman Keith Vaz MP makes the point that "some elements of the industry still operate in the shadows."and some hide behind trees or in parked cars pretending to read newspapers.

The point the committee makes though, is that even though the Security
Industry Act established a statutory framework for regulation ten years ago, as yet no regulation has been introduced. Indeed, you don't even need a licence to hide behind trees or pretend to read newspapers.

Mr Vaz goes on to say, "Following the Committee's investigation into
phone-hacking, it is important to look at the issue of private investigators. Public concern about the activities of private investigators
has increased enormously in the last few years, yet the industry remains
entirely unregulated."

The committee hopes to discover the full extent of the activities of private investigators and to decide whether the public, as well as the reputable side of the industry, should be protected by a regime of statutory regulation. The committee wants to hear from private investigators themselves, as well as those who have been affected by their work.

Reply posted by: Ian Withers on November 30, 2011

The World Association of Professional Investigators are seeking "fast-track" regulation using the Certificated Bailiff System which has worked well for a century or more? It is now time for a positive and indeed re-assuring step to be taken by the Government? Namely to consider the transfer from the Private Security Industry Act 2000 the planned regulation of Private Investigators to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 thereby putting the regulation of PI's under the same criteria as Enforcement Officers. This would enable the Public to be re-assured that Certificated Investigators were regulated, competent and accountable, as any infringement of controlling legislation may cause their Certification to be suspended or cancelled, an immediate ethical and legally compliant Profession would evolve to the benefit of Society. Self financing from Application and Certification Certificate Fees and Renewal Fees

Ian (D. Withers)

UK/EU Regulation & Press

WAPI - Past Chairman

www.WAPI.com

Licensing@WAPI.com