Private Investigator: Occupations in Alberta - alis (2023)

FAQs

What can a private investigator do in Alberta? ›

You must be licensed to work as a private or in-house investigator in Alberta. As an investigator you investigate things like: accidents and personal injury. damaged or stolen property.

Check to make sure you meet the basic requirements for the licence. Complete your Alberta Investigator Training (AIT) 60 hour online course. Pass your proctored online government exam. Apply for your Security Services licence as a Private Investigator.

Section 117 of the Criminal Code of Canada exempts on-duty police officers, members of the Canadian Forces, peace officers and persons training to be become police or peace officers from the restrictions on carrying handguns.

The issue of whether private investigators are legally allowed to carry handguns is covered under three Acts: the PSISA, the federal Firearms Act, and the Canadian Criminal Code. Generally, under these Acts, private investigators are prohibited from carrying handguns and other restricted weapons.

The main difference between private investigators and law enforcement detectives is who they are employed by, the types of cases they handle, and their legal authorities. Otherwise, these professionals carry out many of the same day-to-day tasks, such as: Interviewing people to gather information.

Private investigators are legally allowed to do a wide range of work in Canada. An individual can hire a private investigator to do work related to background checks, surveillance, asset searches, financial investigations, and much more.

Qualifications for becoming a PI

You can obtain a Private Investigator's licence, providing you don't have a criminal record, but it is not compulsory to be licensed and you can operate as a PI without one.

The best degrees for a private investigator are traditionally rooted in law. This could include a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or pre-law. For those wanting to focus on the financial sector – including financial fraud – having a bachelor's in accounting would be an excellent choice.

Is there a market for private investigators? ›

The market size, measured by revenue, of the Private Detective Services industry is $7.3bn in 2022. What is the growth rate of the Private Detective Services industry in the US in 2022? The market size of the Private Detective Services industry is expected to increase 2.1% in 2022.

You will always need at least 100hrs of practical Private Investigator education. You will need to learn the PI industry, as well as how to perform.

The average private investigator salary in Canada is $44,850 per year or $23 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $33,394 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $60,356 per year.

Yes, being a Private Investigator can be exciting. However, much of the work involves research, monitoring, and observation. These tasks can be monotonous, but they're an essential part of the job.

Yes, no legislation places blanket restrictions on the required distance from a property line or on the calibre of the ammunition discharged on private property.

In Canada, the use of firearms for defence of self or property is generally prohibited by law. The Criminal Code, section 34, deals with our right to lawfully defend ourselves (or our loved ones).

Under Section 34 of the Private Investigator and Security Guards Act (PSISA), every person who is acting as a Private Investigator must: carry their license when working, and identify themselves as a Private Investigator with that licence, when requested by anyone. Do Private Investigators in Ontario carry badges? No.

No, Private Investigators cannot interrogate suspects. Interrogations are strictly reserved for law enforcement, which has been endowed with constitutional authority to conduct their duties within society.

Despite the portrayal of private investigators in film and television as those working beneath the law, licensed PI's are in fact legal practitioners. Private investigators in Canada are licensed under their provincial security services and private investigation legislation and are bound by a strict code of ethics.

Do private investigators work with police? ›

You may wonder: do private investigators work with police? Yes, they do sometimes. They also collect evidence that can be used in court, conduct surveillance and search records. In short, if someone wants to know more about a person, organization or activity, hiring a private investigator is a good option.

A private investigator is not a law enforcement officer. A law enforcement officer is hired by a government agency to investigate criminal matters as opposed to civil matters. Police investigations are conducted by sworn law enforcement officers and done within the constraints of Constitutional laws.

Private investigators often work for law firms or attorneys. They might be asked to find information for criminal cases, such as fraud or theft, or for civil matters, such as vehicle accidents or divorces. As they gather evidence and compile a case file, investigators need to know their rights and responsibilities.

The Law in Canada

The issue with the above provision is that it only applies to situations in which a warrant has been issued to a peace officer or public officer; it does not apply to a private investigator. Prima facie, it would appear that this tool could never be legally deployed by a private investigator.

By having a dashcam and/or body camera, investigators may discourage would-be assailants from taking action. Furthermore, body cameras and dash cameras can provide much-needed evidence in the event an investigator later needs to pursue criminal charges against an attacker.

However, there are limits to the information they can obtain online. A private investigator can check social media accounts to see what is publicly posted. They cannot hack into any social media account to see what has been posted privately or collect private information about someone.

According to the website Thumbtack, private detectives cost between $99 and $150 per hour, with the national average cost of private investigator services coming in around $105 per hour.

Becoming a private investigator in Alaska is relatively straightforward since most locations in the state do not require a special license to be a private investigator. Only a business license is required for those working independently, and this is relatively easy to obtain.

Can you make a lot of money as a PI? ›

The national average annual wage of an Private investigator is $57,100, according to the BLS, a little under $6,000 more than the average wage for all occupations, $51,960.

Yes, a private investigation business can be very profitable because expenses are low and hourly rates are about $100. You should be able to grow your business by providing value to clients who will then give you referrals.

Advertising is another great way that investigators can get their names out there and target potential clients. They can advertise directly to those clients if they have a specific mailing list (by snail mail or email), or they can advertise more indirectly online. PInow is actually a great way to get your name online.

Paul Henderson – Paul is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and private investigator. Edwin Atherton – Though he served as a Foreign Service Officer and as a Bureau of Investigation Agent, it was his work as a private investigator that got him his notoriety.

Private investigators have a network of relationships and sources they can rely on that facilitate access to complex and exact information. They can check anything from birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, tax records, and real estate transactions to business licenses and court records.

Completion of a college program or university degree in law and security or in the social sciences is usually required. A three- to six-month police training program is provided. Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met, and psychological or other tests may also be required.

Average Canada Revenue Agency Criminal Investigator yearly pay in Canada is approximately $88,960, which meets the national average.

Civilian Investigation Officers (CIOs)

CIOs are trained in the techniques of criminal prosecutions, in particular PACE and PEACE, and a range of investigation techniques. They work alongside detectives gathering evidence and taking statements.

You have to major in criminal justice and choose a program in college that offers experiential learning. Alongside, you can also take relevant courses online such as criminal intelligence, criminology and police investigations etc.

Is an investigator a career? ›

Criminal investigative work often involves nights and weekends. This career is rewarding and satisfying, but it can also be stressful because of the situations investigators encounter at crime scenes.

The investigators licensing fee is $160. Your licence is valid for 2 years.

The average private investigator salary in Canada is $44,850 per year or $23 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $34,125 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $61,694 per year.

The IPI Course and Exam are available through the Professional Security Knowledge Network. Persons entering the PI field do so as 'under supervision' investigators. They are required to accumulate 2000 hours of training and work experience before they qualify for an 'unrestricted' private investigator's license.

Private investigators are legally allowed to do a wide range of work in Canada. An individual can hire a private investigator to do work related to background checks, surveillance, asset searches, financial investigations, and much more.

The average investigator salary in Canada is $62,400 per year or $32 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $42,900 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $90,104 per year.