WAPI - the professionals choice

TRAINING FOR PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

Academy of Professional Investigation

BTEC Advanced Private Investigation Level 3 Diploma

In 1998 The Academy of Professional Investigation (API) launched a Distance Learning Course (DLC). The course content was based on the accumulated knowledge and experience of a number of leading Private Investigators within the profession at that time.

Over the past 10 years the course has evolved in line with current legislation and technological advances to ensure that the subject matter is as up to date as possible.

In 2003 the Academy was recognised by the Open Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC), enabling it to demonstrate the high standard it had achieved.

With the possibility of licensing on the horizon the Academy has taken the original DLC to another level and in conjunction with Edexcel they have developed the BTEC Advanced Private Investigation Level 3 Diploma Qualification. With the NVQ in Investigation having been discontinued by Edexcel the course is a solution to providing an alternative approved qualification. This qualification is an excellent opportunity for either new investigators or the more experienced investigator to achieve an approved qualification.

In the beginning the DLC consisted of a number of teaching modules with an assessment at the conclusion of each module and then a final written test once every module had been completed.

The course offers those students that prefer home study a reliable and professional route to obtain a worthwhile qualification based upon sound judgement and tried and tested procedures.

The training material for the course is provided in two formats, hard copy in two bound folders each containing six modules and is also available as a CD.

"Having just completed the course, I thought it prudent to show my appreciation to all staff concerned in the preparation of the course. What a wonderful, knowledgeable and interesting course. As we are all aware our industry starts licensing next year and having already obtained 2 SIA Licenses for other sectors within the profession I have to say that this is by far the most informative course I have done."

"The API has a way of teaching that makes it so easy to take the information on board, even for someone like me. I could do it at home, at my own pace and there was no gobbledygook to put me off, it was all very 'Fisher Price' even though, at times they were teaching me some quite complicated stuff".

A Message from John Edwards

Training Latest 2006

Well here we are October 2006 and once again no sign of a licence anywhere, hence no stated Criteria to obtain the said beast. It has been said that the SIA may be finding it difficult to reach the Criteria (Although to be fair they are still awaiting the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA)) as they did not realise what a diverse Profession we are and the difficulties which they have encountered when deciding upon the necessary qualifications, that an existing Investigator should possess, against the requirements for training the new Investigators on the block.

Simple answer really, all those with 5 years proven ability in the Profession if they meet the other Criteria such as DPA registration CRB Check and any thing else that the SIA wishes to throw at them issue them a licence.

All those that do not meet the above criteria then let’s have a 5 day training course (40 hours) (Accredited with a recognised body) that covers the core competences of a private investigation or an NVQ Qualification in Investigation. Mix in Conflict Management Training and then all the other criteria as required then issue the licence.

Or we could just revisit the suggestion of the WAPI Past Chairman Ian Withers which can still be viewed at www.wapi.com under THE COMPETENCE CRITERIA.

There is also a great deal to be said for Continuing Professional Development with all investigators being required to attend Training/Update Seminars, at least one per year the content each year could be driven by the SIA and the Professional Associations (Via The ISG) to cover any areas that have changed or are considered lacking or need clarification or updating. For example DPA. Process Serving and I am sure there are many other subjects. These seminars could take place bi monthly at venues up and down the country.

When the licence is up for renewal, part of the renewal criteria could be that an Investigator seeking to renew his licence has in the last three years (Dependent on the licensing period) attended at least 3 Updating Seminars thereby ensuring Continuing Professional Development and demonstrating an ability to remain up to date with the latest legislation which might affect the profession.

There should be no one Association deciding all this as there are currently a few main Professional Associations within the Profession so perhaps there is a real need to retain the ISG and to that end should it be reconvened or should it be wound up at the earliest opportunity?

WAPI over the last few months has developed a policy covering the area of the Approved Training Providers the WAPI GC make no apologies to its members for this process to have been a bit drawn out. The factors that determined the policy and the time it has taken to be implemented are for the best interest of the membership. Also please remember that the GC is also comprised of Professional Investigators and the time they give is voluntary.

The list of providers will hopefully ensure that those embarking on obtaining Training or National Qualifications are getting the best value for their money but more importantly obtaining a Qualification which is likely to see them in good stead in the event that licensing proceeds, but obviously it goes without saying that there are no guarantees to anything until such time as the SIA state publicly what the criteria is and what existing or future qualifications are to be acceptable within that criteria.

The Training providers that are currently listed offer the best there is in the field of training and qualifications and set out below you will find the names of those Training Providers

There are other Training Providers in the system and when the WAPI Policy is met they will be added to the list.

One final word on the Licensing/Training scenario, it has now been 5 years since the Private Security Industry Act came into being and despite the good intentions of the SIA the following statement is from their own site.

Delay to RIA for Private Investigators
The options for licensing will be published by the Home Office in a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), which was originally scheduled for late Spring / early Summer 2006. However, publication of the RIA is likely to be delayed and the Home Office is presently unable to confirm a publication date. What is an RIA?

The SIA is unable to proceed with the development of licensing in this sector until the RIA has been published. Following the outcome of the RIA and if regulation is implemented for this sector, we will ensure that individuals applying for a licence have sufficient time to access any potential training and assessment before we begin to accept licence applications.

It begs the question if the SIA find it difficult to regulate the Profession then allow the ISG funded in part by the SIA and the Professional Associations via licensing revenue to develop and implement an acceptable licensing regime that embodies an acceptable legislative and training criteria to enable the SIA to issue an Authorised Licence, allowing the Profession to move ahead after the many years of uncertainty which continues to exists today.

WAPI Approved Training Providers

please visit our Approved Training Providers page.