A - A Police Investigator will not investigate civil related matters and many times they will not investigate cases like Workmen’s Compensation even though it is a criminal act.
Many times a Police Investigator is held back by both policy and political restraints but, a Private Investigator is not. Thus a Private Investigator will have more options. Many times your Private Investigators will be ex-Police Officers/Investigators or Retired Police Officers/Investigators.
Keep in mind that Police Officers are not Investigators and many times the only Investigative Training they have is very basic or from years of experience. An Investigator is trained in Crime Scene Analysis just like you see in the TV series CSI and they are trained in how to read people (basic human psychology). And many times especially in smaller communities, a Police Officer will be the person investigating your crime and not a Police Investigator. How ever a good Private Investigator will work with local, county and/or state Police when the matter involves a criminal nature. But, both are Licensed and Regulated by CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training) located in Ada, Oklahoma. CLEET is an Oklahoma State Agency that over sees all Law Enforcement in Oklahoma, both Private and Public.
Q – How do you choose a good Private Investigator?
A – First make sure they are licensed in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Statue 59, Section 1750.1 states that all Private Investigators and Private Investigation Agency’s must be licensed by CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training). Each person working as a Private Investigator in Oklahoma must have an individual license and all Agencies’ including self employed Private Investigators must have an Agency license in addition to the individual license. This law also requires all Private Investigators to hold either a $5,000.00 Bond for unarmed PIs and $10,000.00 for armed PIs and/or they must be insured. If the individual and/or agency refuse to show you their license, then you can contact CLEET in ADA, Oklahoma to verify.
Also find out not only how long they have been in business but, how many cases they have solved during that time. Keep in mind that PIs in rural areas may not have as many cases per year as a PI in the big city. There for you want to look at their case ratio (how many cases they have had verses how many cases they have solved). Remember PIs work under a Confidentially clause so, unless they have permission from their clients, they can not give out the names and contact information of their clients as references.
Find out if they have an area that they specialize in. Most PIs specialize in an area just the same as Lawyers, Doctors and so, on. If you have an injury accident civil case filed against you, then you will do best to hire a PI who specializes in civil cases and working with attorneys. PIs who specialize in working with attorneys will generally work under a “client/attorney work privilege”. This is very important when you have a PI who will have to work with your attorney.
Also remember the old saying “you get what you pay for”. It is not always to go with a PI who is cheap. Most PIs (PIs are Professionals) will charge between $10.00/hour on up to $75.00/hour. But, also remember that a high cost PI is also not the best choice since most cases can take up to a month or more. Also most PIs who have been in the business for awhile may charge a retainer. This retainer works the same as the one that you would pay an Attorney. The PI will deduct their fees from the retainer. Once the retainer is used up, they will then start billing you on a monthly base. If any of the retainers is left at the end of the case, they will refund it to you with in 30 days. Keep in mind that PIs are professionals; they have to go to school, take a State Exam, be bonded or insured as well as being Licensed by the State.
A – Private Security is fully authorized to enforce all Local, State and Federal Laws on Private Property as well as Regulations/Rules that the owner of the property wishes to create. Private Security today is referred to as Private Law Enforcement. You have three types of Law Enforcement; Private (Private Security & Investigators), Public (Police Officers, State Troopers and so, on) and Military (Army’s MPs, Navy’s Master-at-Arms and so, on).
Q – Can Private Security Arrest you?
A – Yes, Private Security is fully trained and Licensed by an Oklahoma State Agency called CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training). This is the same State Agency that trains and licenses Police Officers and Sheriff Deputies. How ever Private Security’s arresting authority is different in that the crime must have occurred in their presents. This means that Private Security can not arrest you unless they witnessed the crime in person or through video surveillance. How ever, Private Security can legally hold you until Police arrive even if they did not witness the crime.
Q – Can Private Security issue tickets and what if I do not pay the tickets?
A – Yes, Private Security can issue tickets on private property if that is part of the contract agreement between them and the property owner. These tickets are normally for parking violations, loud noise complaints and so, on. If you choose to not pay the tickets then the property owner and or Security Agency/Company may take you to court for that amount. Generally tickets issued by Private Security are rare and only is seen in large apartment complexes. These tickets are seen legally as a type of fine which property owners of apartment complexes can issue. Some times property owners of large shopping centers or malls will employee security to issue parking tickets.
Q – What is the difference between a Bounty Hunter, Fugitive Recovery Agent, Bail Enforcement Agent and Surety Agent?
A – There is no legal difference. They are all titles of the same position. Today most Professional Bounty Hunters will use the title Fugitive Recovery Agent, Bail Enforcement Agent and Surety Agent. Bounty Hunter like Security has a bad repetition and Bounty Hunting is a term that refers back to the Wild West when Sheriffs and U.S. Marshals will put up wanted posters with large rewards for the criminals. A Bounty Hunter was a person who went out and captured or killed the criminal and brought them back to the Law. Today Bounty Hunters, Fugitive Recovery Agent, Bail Enforcement Agent and Surety Agent are not free lancers but, are hired Professionally by Bail Bondsmen/women and/or Courts to track down people who either jumped bail, violated probation or did not meet the terms set by the Bondsmen/women or the Courts.
Q – I have a relative who is wanted living in my house; can I get in to trouble with the Law for this?
A – Yes, that is what they call “Harboring a Fugitive” and it is a Felony in all 50 States.
Q – I know where someone who is wanted is. Can I get into trouble for not telling the Law or Fugitive Recovery Agent?
A – Yes, that is what they call “Aiding and Betting a known Fugitive” and it is a Felony in all 50 States.
Q – Can a Bounty Hunter really enter my home without my permission?
A – Yes and No. Bounty Hunters (aka Fugitive Recovery Agents, Bail Enforcement Agents) can enter a home or business with out permission and with force. But, only after they have PID (Positive Identify) the Fugitive as being in the house or business. Most Professional Bounty Hunters will gain permission first but, keep in mind they are not legally required to do so.
Q – If a State has no laws regulating Bounty Hunters then what law gives them the legal right to do what they do?
A – If there are no State laws or regulation then Bounty Hunters will operate under an 1872 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Tailer vs. Tantor. Even though this U.S. Supreme Court Case does not directly relate to this subject. A paragraph in this ruling is related to this subject.
Q - Can Bounty Hunters carry guns and other weapons?
A – This subject has got a lot of Bounty Hunters in trouble with the Law. Being a Bounty Hunter does not give you the legal right to break the law and this includes any Federal and State gun or weapons laws. In all state Bounty Hunters must have either a concealed weapons permit or an Armed Bounty Hunters License (when the State requires it). And some States do require special permits for stun guns & tasers.
(aka Fugitive Recovery Agent, aka Bail Enforcement Agent)
1872 United States Supreme Court: Taylor v Taintor 16 Wall, 36
When bail is given, the principal is regarded as delivered to the custody of his sureties. Their dominion is a continuance of the original imprisonment. Whenever they choose to do so, they may seize him and deliver him up in their discharge; and if that cannot be done at once, they may imprison him until it can be done. They may exercise their rights in person or by agent. They may pursue him into another State; may arrest him on the Sabbath; and if necessary, may break and enter his house for that purpose. The seizure is not made by virtue of new process. None is needed. It is likened to the rearrest by the sheriff of an escaping prisoner. The bail have their principal on a string, and may pull the string whenever they please, and render him in their discharge. The rights of the bail in civil and criminal cases are the same. They may doubtless permit him to go beyond the limits of the State within which he is to answer, but it is unwise and imprudent to do so; and if any evil ensue, they must bear the burden of the consequences, and cannot cast them upon the obligee.
This State Agency License and Regulates Private Security, Private Investigators and Law Enforcement in Oklahoma.
Website Created on July 20, 2003.
Last Update Done on April 8, 2008.
DISCLAIMER;
The Parker Agency operates out of Oklahoma in the U.S.A. We are not a Law Enforcement Agency.
Parker Agency is a State Licensed Agency. Our Fugitive Recovery Service and Agents operate under U.S. Supreme Court, Taylor vs Tanitor and Oklahoma Title 59, Section 1759.1 et. seq of the Oklahoma Statutes.. Interference with an investigation and capture of a wanted fugitive or with holding information constitutes “aiding and betting of a known fugitive” which is a Felony in Oklahoma and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
Each Agent/Officer is fully bonded individually and fully licensed through the State when required by State Law.
Oklahoma CLEET License;
Private Investigations - PIA3462
Private Security - USG51226