Oklahoma Private Investigators: Armed or Unarmed While on Duty?

Oklahoma Private Investigators: Armed or Unarmed While on Duty?

            It goes without saying that those who serve as private detectives in Oklahoma often face significant danger while on and off the job.  As discreet as they often are, private detectives remain vulnerable to both physical and psychological attacks.  This is especially true for private investigators who serve as bodyguards, private security, and those who investigate criminal matters.  Whether the private investigation entails a minor civil matter or a dangerous criminal one, the question remains: should private investigators arm themselves while on and off duty?  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com examines this issue . . .

            In order to become licensed to carry firearms, private investigators in Oklahoma must first go through a psychological examination, training in firearm accuracy and safety, and other Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) certification tests.  Only once an Oklahoma private investigator has adequately met all of these requirements can he or she carry a gun.  Is a gun really necessary though?  All of the experts in the field are unable to unanimously agree.

            For some Oklahoma private investigators who perform investigations into dangerous matters and protect high profile individuals, they obviously need to carry some sort of weapon.  In many situations, not carrying some kind of weapon could prove especially detrimental to a private investigator’s health.  This is especially true when facing armed and especially crazy or angry individuals, as law enforcement officials could take a long time to arrive on the scene to provide assistance in emergency situations. 

            Other private investigators in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, Yukon, Mustang, Stillwater, and elsewhere in Oklahoma simply do not feel comfortable with the idea of carrying a firearm.  They may have an aversion to guns, which are sometimes necessary in the private investigation profession.  Of course, they may prefer other items such as pepper spray, shock knuckles, tasers, etc., instead of a gun.  Others may not want the liability, costs, maintenance, or increased insurance rates that often accompany firearms. 

            Whether using a firearm or nothing at all, the decision about whether to use them or not essentially comes down to two main factors: the private investigator’s comfort level with guns and the overall danger levels he or she faces.  Each private detective agency must ultimately decide whether or not to allow its private investigation staff to carry firearms while on duty.  However, each Oklahoma City private investigator must determine for himself or herself whether to carry a firearm while off duty.  After carefully weighing their options, is it better for private investigators to be safe than sorry?  Do the risks the profession carries with it merit the use of firearms?  At the end of the day, each private investigator must ultimately decide this for himself of herself.