Showing posts with label Oklahoma private investigator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oklahoma private investigator. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Teaching Private Investigation Courses Helps Give Licensed Private Investigators Special Advantages


Teaching Private Investigation Courses Helps Give Licensed Private Investigators Special Advantages

            Some licensed private investigators in Oklahoma often stay on top of the game by teaching private investigator certification courses at places like Metro Tech and elsewhere.  It is true that teaching these Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) classes at career technology schools seldom pays as much as an Oklahoma private detective could earn while on a stakeout.  Nevertheless, not everything is about making money. Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com explores the other benefits that a private investigator can receive by taking an active role in helping to educate future private investigators . . .

            One of the biggest benefits that a private detective can receive is the knowledge that he or she has helped train others in a wonderful field.  The intangible reward of knowing that one has made a lasting difference in the world is truly incredible.  Private detectives can truly make their mark in the specialised field of private investigations.  Indeed, teaching others is a way to stay current and can help private investigators learn and relearn what the latest and greatest methods are.  After all, is all too easy for experts to become complacent and lose touch with how the field has evolved.

            Teaching future Oklahoma private detectives also helps private investigators who are already in the field continue to network.  Those who are students now may provide referrals later down the road.  Teachers can often gauge how a student might perform in the field by how well he or she does while in class.  Unless the school has policies in place that prohibit doing so, teaching these classes can help the instructor recruit new private investigators to work at his or her private detective agency.  Thus, access to the up and coming stars in the field are right at the teacher’s fingertips!

            What experienced armed private investigator does not also concurrently work in the field of private security?  Well, perhaps some do not, but many do!  Numerous students who take Phase III, or the private investigation course, and Phase I, the first part of the CLEET security guard certification class, often take Phase II and Phase IV, too.  Phase II involves the remaining part of the security certification portion, while Phase IV entails the use of a firearm.  Students who take all four phases can receive their license to become certified as an armed security guard and armed private investigator.  Once again, many teachers have the chance to make a difference in mentoring students in all phases, while also gaining access to high quality future security officers!  What a bargain!  Hiring can become so much easier.

            Since the field of private investigations is often, though not always, more of a competitive field rather than a collaborative one, teachers at these schools sometimes like to size up their potential competition in advance – their students.  Sometimes unscrupulous instructors will try to crush their new competition down before or after they become licensed, but this is a horrible reason to teach those CLEET classes.  Private investigation educators who go into the teaching aspect of the field for this reason have no business being in the classroom.

            Licensed private detectives also have the opportunity to help future Oklahoma private investigators and sometimes even others in the community stay safe from harm.  By providing and carefully supervising opportunities for meaningful, practical, hands-on activities that most private investigators perform, new private eyes will not find themselves left wondering what to do.  It is amazing to see just how many people do not know how to sweep for bugs, operate a video camera while conducting surveillance, and much more!  These students have to learn how to do this, and it is often hard to do while in the field with no one to lend a hand.  Sadly, many private investigators have no mentors and often have to struggle to learn the trade on their own.

            These are just a few of the many reasons that those who run their own private detective agencies should also teach school.  Blending investigations and educating those who conduct them can yield many rewards for Oklahoma private investigator instructors, their students, clients, and society as a whole.  Private detectives with a proclivity for teaching should definitely consider teaching and mentoring others in the profession as well.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Why Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Keep a Low Profile on the Internet


Why Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Keep a Low Profile on the Internet

            Oklahoma private investigators and process servers should often intentionally try to keep a low personal/individual profile on the Internet.  Indeed, many private investigators and process servers do indeed own their own private detective agencies and process server companies.  However, revealing the owner’s identity and those of the private investigators that work there can sometimes prove hazardous to private investigators, process servers, and the clients they serve.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com elucidates . . .

`           Oklahoma City private investigators and process servers, by their very definition, may want to keep their identities as secretive as possible.  While these professionals do have to identify themselves when asked by law enforcement officials, etc., it is usually best if their identity is not out there all over the Internet.  If it is, then it is quite a bit easier for those seeking to discover their identity. 

            Let us assume that a process server has gone to make a serve.  His or her name will be there on the affidavit of service (AoS).  When someone eventually files this document, it becomes a matter of public record.  Given how many people have taken to insulting, attacking, and even killing Oklahoma process servers, who wants to make their personal information easily accessible on the Internet?  Why give someone who might be very mentally or emotionally unstable the extra opportunity to track down and potentially harm a licensed process server who was merely doing his or her job?  It is bad enough that many people already try to do so while process server is trying to serve the papers.

            This same concept holds true for private investigators.  Private investigators are supposed to try to keep their identities more secretive, hence the word “private” investigator.  Someone who has his or her name out there all over the place is sometimes doing a disservice to both himself or herself and his or her clients.  This is especially true for private detectives who may get called in as expert witnesses during court cases. 

Anyone who has ever served as a private investigator in Oklahoma for any length of time has undoubtedly had to take the stand at least once.  Why make it easy for the opposing side to find out things about an Oklahoma private investigator that could discredit him or her on the stand?  Privacy is already a thing of the past, and there is no need to make the other side’s job easier.

Of course, keeping one’s identity a secret is not always an easy task, and sometimes doing so comes with its downsides.  Many professionals use their identity to market their business.  A great number of private detectives and process servers work alone or perhaps with a partner, and they need to market themselves.  Otherwise, they will not have any clients and will soon go out of business.  Besides, by having a great deal of positive information out there about one’s company, it can help preempt the negative kinds of feedback that can hurt business.

Others in the field might contend that there are many ways in which one can market his or her company on the Internet without using personally identifiable information.  For a little extra money, one can conceal the owner’s name of a website domain name.  Likewise, instead of the process server or private investigator choosing to use his name to market the detective agency or process serving company, he or she can use actors or can use other marketing methods that focus more on the company and less on any one individual.

If someone wants to find out the “goods” on an Oklahoma private investigator or Edmond process server, then a simple report that a private investigator can run on TLO www.tlo.com can often do the job.  While TLO will not always pull up much “dirt” or “goods” on an individual, it sometimes does.  In addition, TLO can also provide the “beginning pathway” to help make it easier to find additional information about a process server or private investigator. 

Facebook www.Facebook.com is one of these beginning pathways that can also add more information, which is why it is inadvisable to keep much identifiable information easily accessible the public on social media networks.  Facebook and other social media sites have proven to help lead to the ultimate downfall of politicians, teachers, and a wide variety of other professionals.

While having a personal life on the Internet might be fun and is sometimes helpful when promoting a business, those conducting private investigations and who serve process must first give it serious thought.  There are pros and cons to putting one’s personal information out there, and either way it is a double-edged sword.  Private investigators and Oklahoma City process servers should weigh the costs against the benefits to decide what works best for them.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Oklahoma Armed Private Investigators Face Critical Ammunition Shortage


Oklahoma Armed Private Investigators Face Critical Ammunition Shortage

            As hunters, sportsmen, law enforcement officers, security guards, and others throughout Oklahoma rush to buy all of the ammunition they can, some Oklahoma City private investigators have found themselves without.  Of course, there are many causes for this shortage, and it poses a direct security risk for those who really do engage in dangerous professions.  Without adequate ammunition for firearms, Oklahoma bodyguards, police officers, private detectives, process servers, and others may lack what the need to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.  It is important that those at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com examine the causes of the ammunition shortage, how professionals can cope with it, as well as what society as a whole can do to prevent more shortages in the future. 

In the wake of multiple mass school and theater shootings, many people have turned to carrying firearms and buying up all of the ammunition they can.  The media’s coverage of these killings has played a tremendous part in hyping up the shootings, inadvertently encouraging subsequent killings by other would-be copycat killers who want their fifteen minutes of infamy.  Thus, the public finds itself scared, and many people in American society rush out to buy weapons and ammunition to protect themselves.   This jeopardizes the well-being of armed Oklahoma private investigators, who serve in more dangerous capacities on a regular basis and often need these bullets to protect themselves from harm.  Of course, other reasons for the ammunition shortage also exist.

            Many people fear that President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party will take away all of their firearms and ammunition.  Once again, the media, often backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), gun dealers, ammunition manufacturers, lobbyists, politicians, corporate stock holders, and other private individuals, both directly and indirectly strike fear into the hearts of those in America.  Fearing some new drastic change in the law, people have once again significantly increased the rate at which they have stockpiled weapons and ammunition.

            These shootings and everyone who has been involved in them have proven to be very “good” business for many interest groups.  While private investigators have suffered, all of the aforementioned have profited greatly from the mass killings and evasive anti-weapon laws.  Since the demand for firearms and ammunition has greatly outpaced capacity, something that gun and ammunition manufacturers, among others, surely “could not have seen coming”, they and their supporters have reaped in enormous financial profits.  Thus, while special interest groups have once again scammed Americans through fear, private detectives in Oklahoma have found themselves in greater peril.

            Oklahoma City private investigators need to help take the lead in trying to calm the fears of those around them, through meaningful education about what is really taking place.  While the United States Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to bear arms, the panic special interest groups have intentionally caused is only causing a gun and ammunition shortage, and it is also unnecessarily pushing up the prices.  This is exactly what the gun and ammunition manufacturers want and runs contrary to what is most helpful to society.  Quite frankly, it is very un-American.    

If a private investigator cannot conduct an investigation because he or she does have the needed firearms to feel safe on the job, this hurts the profession.  Since armed private detectives often find themselves in greater danger than those working in other fields, they should at least get a higher preference category during these shortages.  Of course, creating this special class might inadvertently cause resentment among non-private investigators.  This could lead to a backlash against Oklahoma private investigators and those who own and run private detective agencies. 

People should remember to keep calm, turn off the mostly negative news media, and should not panic to go buy up all of the guns and ammunition they can find.  Violence prevention and the elimination of fear, panic and price gouging start with each individual person, and together we can keep these special interest groups who wish to make a killing off of the masses from prevailing.  If those in our society fail to do so, they will only cause increased harm to those (i.e., private investigators) who are actually in much more dangerous situations than they. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

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.  

Monday, March 11, 2013

Oklahoma City Private Investigators Who Provide Expert Witness Testimony in Courts Should Come Prepared


Oklahoma City Private Investigators Who Provide Expert Witness Testimony in Courts Should Come Prepared

            Oklahoma City private investigators will sometimes find that they must provide expert witness testimony in Oklahoma’s various courts.  Whether they are needed to attest to incidents they saw or to counter another private detective’s testimony on procedural grounds, Oklahoma private investigators always need to come prepared.  Private detectives have a duty bound obligation to do so in a professional manner that will best benefit everyone involved in the case.  By following a few best practices for the profession that Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com suggests, those conducting private investigations can accomplish this with much greater ease.

            First and foremost, it is important for all private investigators to practice answering questions in their head that attorneys and judges might ask them.  Sometimes it can help if the attorney that has hired the private investigator reviews those possible questions with him or her in advance.  While it is vital that attorneys do not coach private investigators, it sometimes helps to practice what one might say and the manner in which he or she says it before taking the stand. 

Of course, it is important to remember that lawyers and judge may ask questions that the private investigator has not yet considered.  Trying to memorize answers is seldom a good idea; rather, it is more desirable to have a general idea of what one might say.  Initial questions may include, but are not limited to, “What are your educational and field-related training areas?” and, “How long have you worked as a private investigator?”  Then again, some Oklahoma City private investigators do better flying by the seat of their pants.  Whatever the case, the expert witness testimony should come out freely and should not look rehearsed.

Another important aspect of expert witness testimony is to always tell the truth.  While individuals and attorneys hire private investigators and pay them for their services, this does not mean they have to lie or otherwise embellish the truth.  In fact, ethical standards of the profession strictly prohibit it.  Besides, what court case is worth getting caught lying on the stand and subsequently charged with perjury?

Sometimes it is easy for those on the stand to want to add a commentary or even become emotional.  However, the facts are what count the most.  Many legal professionals and juries alike often do not view Oklahoma private investigators who add unnecessary opinions, unless specifically asked for them, or who become emotional as very professional.  Doing so is likely to make the expert witness testimony less credible and is something all private investigators should strive to avoid.

Private investigators who are providing expert witness testimony should never argue while on the stand.  Astute attorneys may try to goad a licensed private investigator into a debate or argument, but this will only work against the person testifying.  Someone who is telling the truth in a professional manner does not need to raise his or her voice, argue, debate, etc.

An Oklahoma private investigator should also come to court on time and dressed professionally.  If a private investigator wants the judge, jury, the attorneys, and the client(s) to take the testimony he or she provides seriously, then proper attire and mannerisms are imperative.  Who would take a judge seriously if he or she came to the bench in a nightgown and cap?  How a private investigator in Oklahoma looks and acts is almost as important as what he or she says.

These are just a few of the best practices that all of those serving in the private investigation field should follow.  Indeed, private investigations and the testimony that those running effective private detective agencies can provide sometimes helps make or break a case.  Expert witness testimony in courts throughout Oklahoma is a very serious matter, and everyone involved should take it very seriously.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Oklahoma Private Investigators Who Spy on Each Other: Effective Tips and Techniques


Oklahoma Private Investigators Who Spy on Each Other: Effective Tips and Techniques

            Sometimes Oklahoma private investigators find themselves the target of counterintelligence and surveillance.  People hire other private investigators to follow and track other Oklahoma private investigators for a variety of reasons.  The Oklahoma Private Investigator Association (OPIA) might be conducting a background check on a new applicant.  Perhaps the subject of investigation wants to get the “goods” on an Oklahoma private investigator who is set to testify in a court proceeding.  Whatever the case, the staff at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com knows that there are definitely ways in which private investigators can counter various forms of counterintelligence and surveillance.

            The first and most important thing to do is to recognize that someone is trying to conduct surveillance.  The person could be videotaping the private investigator, taking photos or voice recordings of him or her, etc.  Whatever the case, it is imperative to find the source of the recording device.  The Oklahoma private investigator needs to thwart whatever is recording or otherwise collecting the information about him or her, as well as the person doing it. 

If the device is a planted bug, tracking device, or other stationary equipment, then those can be deactivated and saved in a secure location for future evidence.  If an individual is the one actually holding and performing the recording/surveillance via a video camera or other device, then taking the equipment away is not possible.  Under the latter circumstance, there are several precautions to take.

Firstly, it is important not to confront the other private investigator or otherwise let him or her know that his or her surveillance campaign is known.  Doing this makes it easier to give Oklahoma private investigators conducting counterintelligence on other private investigators a false sense of security.  Besides, private investigators are expensive, so it does not benefit the other party to waste money when their private investigator’s results will now definitely not amount to anything.  Thus, it is imperative to continue going about the daily routine, making very sure not to do anything bad that they might be looking for or that could otherwise discredit an upstanding private investigator in a courtroom.

            After this task is done, it is then important to find out the identity of the private investigator that is doing the spying.  Armed with this knowledge, there may be a plethora of information on the Internet, from neighbours, or other sources.  Having knowledge and insights into the life of the private investigator who is following you can help one determine possible educational and training backgrounds, work habits, tactics, etc.  Fortunately, there are often a wide variety of ways to ascertain information about private investigators!

            One way to get information about the person spying on another private investigator is to simply hire yet another private investigator to spy on him or her.  This route can prove costly, however, and that private investigator’s actions might not even be very important to the situation at hand.  Of course, by hiring someone else, it frees the private investigator who is currently getting spied on to move about more freely as if nothing else is going on.  He or she can then track the Oklahoma private investigator who is now conducting the surveillance, etc.

            Another method is to try to very casually collect the private investigator’s information (i.e., license plate number, name, etc.) while being spied upon.  This requires more maneuvering, stealth, and skill, as it has to be done without tipping the other private investigator off to the fact that his or her presence is well known.  In these situations, the use of hidden cameras, etc., can come in very handy indeed!  If done right, finding ways to counter counterintelligence and surveillance on one’s own can save money and might yield desirable results.

            Once a person has the Oklahoma private investigator’s information (i.e., license plate number, address, photos, etc.), then sites like www.tlo.com, Facebook, Google, the Oklahoma private investigator’s neighbours, and other sources become invaluable.  These sources can provide insights into who the person is and possible motives for the surveillance.

            While private investigators are not spied upon very often, it can and sometimes does happen.  Oklahoma private investigators who know how to effectively counter surveillance and get to the truth can often do both themselves and their clients a big favour.  It is vital that private investigators remember the importance of never making the situation worse in the process.  Otherwise, attempting to thwart surveillance and counterintelligence can backfire.      
             

Thursday, February 28, 2013

New Oklahoma Private Investigators Need Mentors and Internships


New Oklahoma Private Investigators Need Mentors and Internships

Many professionals enter their fields for the first time without much real practical experience.  Whether these individuals have attended a university and are becoming medical doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc., everyone usually starts with only a minimum amount of work experience.  The same thing also holds true for private investigators, process servers, notary public officials, and others in the legal field.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com knows all too well how this fact underscores the importance for new private investigators to have internships and mentors who will help them along in the field.

Unless a private investigator has previously served in a special investigative law enforcement capacity within the military and/or civilian world, he or she is likely ill prepared for the rigors that come with serving as an Oklahoma private investigator.  Indeed, Oklahoma City private investigators who go to a vocational school to train often find that they are prepared for the rather easy test the basic Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) requires.  Unfortunately, these vocational schools seldom offer hands-on training that is beneficial for when Oklahoma private investigators actually go out into the field in Edmond, Moore, Oklahoma City, Yukon, Norman, Midwest City, Tulsa, Lawton, Piedmont, Guthrie, Del City, Bethany, and elsewhere.

Oklahoma’s career technology-oriented schools need to offer real life experiences for students enrolled in private investigators training programs.  Instructors need to show new Oklahoma private investigators how to actually conduct surveillance, set up and use the private security cameras, how to properly testify in a courtroom as a witness, and how to start and run a private investigator business.  While the list of training necessities could indeed prove to be quite extensive, the instructional programs these schools provide often prove to be grossly inadequate for those trying to enter the field and start a new career.

Much like with newly certified teachers, private investigators could also benefit from having some sort of mentor.  Vocational or career-oriented schools that offer private investigator training programs could take the lead in connecting new private investigators with more experienced professionals in the field.  Having someone to whom the new private investigator can ask for advice and help from could prove to be very beneficial.  The field of private investigation is a very serious one.  The consequences of a private investigator who does not conduct surveillance or perform other related services properly can be very detrimental to clients and society as a whole.

Oklahoma needs to develop new programs which will adequately train and provide continuing support to new private investigators.  Society would not generally tolerate poorly trained teachers in its classrooms any more than it would allow a beginning brain surgeon to operate without assistance.  The same holds true for licensed private investigators.  By requiring advanced training and ongoing support for new Oklahoma private investigators, Oklahoma will see increased professionalism, better Oklahoma City private investigators, fewer mistakes, and a more satisfied clientele.    

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Oklahoma Private Investigator Essentials for Conducting Surveillance


Oklahoma Private Investigator Essentials for Conducting Surveillance

Whenever an Oklahoma private investigator is going to conduct surveillance for a client, there are several things he or she should do to maximize success.  The professionals at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com suggest that these include items that private investigators should  do before, during, and after conducting surveillance.  By following these best practices, private investigators will help their clients get the biggest bang for their buck and the most success with their cases.  Meanwhile, Oklahoma City private investigators will also profit through customer referrals and continued business with the clients they already have.  The following is a short, non-exhaustive list of things every Oklahoma private investigator should follow:

Properly Assessing Clients’ Needs:

Private investigators need to begin by properly assessing what the real needs of their clients are.  By having a checklist and/or via a thorough conversation, the private investigator and the client can work together to determine the best course of action, can troubleshoot, select the best methods, analyze budgets, etc. 

This assessment also includes the responsibility that private investigators have to not unnecessarily spend clients’ money, if they are visibly suffering from a mental illness.  While most private investigators are not dually licensed as therapists, sometimes such indicators of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, etc., can sometimes become blatantly apparent.  Good judgment and common sense are key elements.  

Determining the Appropriate Number of Private Investigators for the Job:

It is also necessary to determine the right number of private investigators for the job.  How many Oklahoma private detectives are really needed to complete the surveillance successfully?  What will best work within the client’s budget?  These are all questions that an Oklahoma private investigator and his or her client should discuss together in advance.

Signing a Contract That Clearly Outlines Everything:

Signing written contracts can often help eliminate confusion, can limit liability for the private investigator, and can generally assist everyone in staying on the same page from the beginning.  Verbal agreements/contracts are often very difficult to prove, and they can lead to unnecessary conflicts, unrealistic expectations, and confusion.

Obtaining a Retainer in Advance: 

In most circumstances, clients should pay their private investigator in advance.  This helps keep clients from trying to cheat a private investigator.  If, for example, an Oklahoma private investigator spends fifteen hours conducting surveillance on a house where a person lives and no one ever comes back home, the client may not want to pay.  This can potentially lead to a rather large and unnecessary legal conflict.  Private investigators will want to make sure that all personal or business checks clear prior to starting services.  

Preparing, Bringing and Maintaining the Proper Equipment:

Oklahoma City private investigators should always bring what they are going to need for the case.  The following constitute a few of the many important items that private investigators generally need:

ü  An abundance of surveillance tapes
ü  Various recording devices
ü  Charged batteries for the recording devices
ü  At least one cell phone
ü  Cell phone charger
ü  Flashlight with strong batteries
ü  Notepad and Pencil/Pen
ü  Food, drinks, and something to urinate/defecate in
ü  Tinted car windows
ü  Pillow, warm/cool clothing, blankets, etc.
ü  Phone numbers for local law enforcement agencies
ü  Address, identifying information, photos, etc., of the area and people being watched
ü  Car that does not readily stand out from the surrounding vehicles
ü  Gun or other protective equipment for which the private investigator is licensed

This is not an all-inclusive list.  The needs for each surveillance case may vary greatly, and they should be brought on a case-by-case basis.  It always helps to have something on hand and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Alerting the Police and Other Oklahoma Staff About Your Presence:

Private investigators who call the police in advance to let them know about their presence can benefit in many ways.  Once the police already know the general location of the private investigators, their physical description, a description of their car, how they can be reached by phone, etc., they often feel better about the situation.  This can potentially benefit both the Norman, Oklahoma private investigator and the police. 

If someone calls about a “suspicious car” or an “unusual person” outside of a home or business, then the police may or may not come out to investigate the matter.  However, sometimes the police, if they know about the private investigator in advance, may simply drive by the car without stopping, getting out of their car with the lights flashing, etc.  This can really help to save a private detective’s cover!  However, it is important to remember that privacy laws which protect the client still apply when interacting with the law enforcement personnel.

Also, it is always important for those conducting private investigations to let at least one other staff member know where they are at any given time.  This way if something bad happens and things go south, someone else can at least know the private investigator’s general whereabouts.  Private investigators should also check in with someone else from time to time.

Selecting a Decent Observation Point:

Private investigators should always try to choose an observation point whereby they will attract the least attention to themselves.  Of course, they can only assume a position/location they have the right to be on (i.e., a public street), and they may have to move or change places from time to time.

Keeping Free of Distractions:

While conducting surveillance, it is imperative that private detectives keep themselves free from distractions.  Playing with cell phones, sleeping, or other unnecessary items are disruptive to the process.  It can take mere seconds for something to happen, and it is vital that these precious moments are not lost to an “LOL”.

Taking Integrity Shots/Footage or Collecting Continuous Video Footage:

Often surveillance can take many hours to complete.  Clients and judges often want to know that their Oklahoma City private detectives were there the entire time.  If clients do not want and/or need their private detective to run continuous video footage the entire time, then integrity shots become important.  One can obtain these by simply turning on the video camera, stating the date, time, location, what is happening, etc.  The private investigator should also have the camera’s setting to where it should automatically note the date and time on the video, too.  Integrity shots are quite helpful for a variety of reasons.

Many clients who do not want continuous footage run on a place want to know that their private investigators did not go home.  By taking integrity shots, a private investigator can show that he or she was indeed there at the location at the intervals noted on the camera.  This way the client cannot come back and demand money for surveillance the private investigator supposedly did not conduct.

Judges also like to see integrity shots for similar reasons.  They, too, want to know that the private investigator did not just pack up and go home.  That way someone under surveillance who arrives home at 10:00 p.m. and stayed there all night, would have greater difficulty in court claiming she had left at midnight.  This would be particularly true if the woman had parked her car or truck outside in the driveway the entire time.  The judge could easily ask, “Why then, do we have video footage of your car being parked there all night?”  Once again, integrity shots can help for many reasons!


Use Night Vision Camera When Appropriate:

If it is even remotely possible that surveillance could occur when it is dark, then special video cameras can certainly help!  Cameras with infrared detectors can help determine if people arrive home at night.  While they cannot provide clear visual images of the faces of those entering and exiting an area, they can at least help show that people arrived, left, etc.  Once again, these can become helpful to clients who are seeking to know the truth.  

Effectively and Timely Communicating Information With Clients:

Private detectives should take the time to communicate with their clients on a regular basis.  The amount of communication may vary from client to client.  Some people may want continual updates whenever possible, while others just want to know the final result.  Oklahoma private detectives who communicate information and evidence discovered during their surveillance with their clients, can also help collaboratively determine the best course of action for the rest of the assignment.  Oklahoma private investigators should always discuss the amount and type of information disseminated and to whom, before beginning surveillance.

Writing Effective Reports & Delivering Evidence:

Oklahoma City private investigators should take care to ensure that the reports they write for their clients are clear, concise, truthful, and to the point.  Those working for private detective agencies should take great care to only state the facts and to eliminate opinions and commentaries from their reports.  These are legal documents that could very well end up in a courtroom as evidence, so they need to be as accurate and professional as possible.  Also, private investigators should take care to turn over any other evidence that belongs to the client (i.e., video footage), too.

Testifying in Court, if Asked:

Oklahoma private detectives who have served in the field long enough will likely attest to the fact that courtroom testimony sometimes becomes very necessary.  Sometimes an attorney will need more than a written report, and testifying is often considered a billable part of the written contractual agreement.  This is sometimes just a routine part of surveillance and is something a private investigator needs to prepare for.

These are just a few of the many things that those operating an Oklahoma private detective agency should consider.  Sometimes items on the aforementioned list may not apply.  In other circumstances, one might need to add extra items not mentioned above.  However, by following this general list of necessities, Oklahoma private investigators and their clients will generally enjoy much more success!   

Friday, February 15, 2013

Oklahoma Private Investigators Need to Know Their Clients’ True Intentions Before Investigating


Oklahoma Private Investigators Need to Know Their Clients’ True Intentions Before Investigating

            Many times private investigators in Oklahoma and elsewhere have clients approach them asking for help with one matter or another.  Whether they need a private detective’s assistance with a criminal case, determining whether or not a spouse is cheating, help with locating a missing child, or any number of other matters, clients often tell the truth and are willing to pay for some answers.  Sometimes, however, clients conceal the truth and have ulterior motives that they take great care to conceal from an Oklahoma private investigation firm.  It is important that Oklahoma private investigators take careful steps to help ensure that they perform due diligence in establishing a client’s true intentions, prior to agreeing to accept a case.

            If a client comes in and claims that he has a court order that prohibits his wife from having men over there after certain hours at night (i.e., 10:00 pm), this could very well be true.  Obviously, if the client suspects that men are coming over and are staying the night, then he might indeed have reasonable suspicion to take action to have something to show to the judge.  In this case, an Oklahoma private investigator could certainly conduct surveillance and try to get video footage, photographs, etc.  Of course, how can private investigators know if this is the real reason for the surveillance?

            It is also totally possible that the client is an ex-boyfriend or ex-husband who is jealous and just wants to keep tabs on the people his ex-spouse is dating.  Indeed, the client could have any number of motives.  This is why private detectives in Oklahoma and elsewhere, even if they are deception experts, should ask questions and try to gather as much information as possible before accepting cases.

            One such way to find out if the client is telling the truth or not in this matter, is for private investigators to simply ask to see the court order.  If the client is telling the truth and has access to the court order, then there should be no reason he or she would not willingly provide it.  If the person refuses to show it or otherwise cannot, this should raise a red flag.  At the very least, the case number and the accompanying documents should be on file with the appropriate court clerk and should generally be available for the private investigator to view.

            By gaining access to the court order, this can help provide the Oklahoma private detective with invaluable information.  Armed with this, a private investigation agency like Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com  can determine what all is prohibited and allowed.  The information contained in that document should make it easier for private investigators to see with their own eyes what all they specifically should and should not try to do.  But private investigators are not the only ones who have ways of at getting at the truth.

Deception experts have their own methods and techniques for finding out who is lying and when.  While most private investigators are not deception experts, those who are have an extra advantage.  By gauging emotions, asking certain questions, and so much more, a dual deception expert/private investigator in Oklahoma can often get to the truth with a fair amount of ease.  Indeed, there are many ways that private investigators in general can get to the truth of various matters. 

It is important that Oklahoma private investigators do not unnecessarily or unfairly badger their clients or otherwise run them off.  The majority of clients usually tell the truth to those working at Oklahoma private investigation firms.  By adequately performing due diligence, an exceptional Oklahoma private investigator can help the client spend only the money he or she needs to, while simultaneously fulfilling his or her duty to protect the public from unnecessary harm.   

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Why Process Servers and Private Investigators Who Steal Clients From Oklahoma Private Investigation and Process Server Companies Seldom Prosper


Why Process Servers and Private Investigators Who Steal Clients From Oklahoma Private Investigation and Process Server Companies Seldom Prosper

            Anyone who has ever served in the field of process serving, private investigation, etc., has likely needed to collaborate with another professional in the field.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com does so all the time.  Depending upon the other private investigators or process servers one is working with, this can prove to be relatively enjoyable experience or can turn out to be a major headache.  Indeed, all too often in this competitive field, other process servers and private investigators have an inclination to get greedy, bossy, and sometimes even steal customers.  This, of course, hurts all parties concerned and is extremely detrimental to the client.

            A process server or private investigator who steals other clients or who makes sanctimonious, unreasonable demands excessive amounts of for money will quickly obtain a poor reputation in the field.  No attorney, business, process serving or private investigation company, or private individual wants to continue a business relationship with others who try to cheat, steal and gouge.  Unfortunately, whereas collaboration can work to the benefit of everyone concerned, not everyone is willing to collaborate and work together.

            Likewise, sometimes a process server in another state (i.e., California) that an Oklahoma process serving company has hired to assist them will sometimes try to start interacting directly with the client.  This is almost always done without permission and with the intention to undermine the Oklahoma process server’s own business.  Once again, this short term gain will eventually cause much greater losses for the private investigator or process server who is busy stealing clients.

            One way to combat this is to have each process server or private investigator hired in sign a non-compete agreement.  These contracts can specify that the other process server or private investigator is not allowed to contact the specific client(s), have someone else do so, etc.  If they do, the process server or private investigation firm that hired them can sue them and win damages in court, etc.  However, some Oklahoma process servers would contend that getting this accomplished is easier said than done.

            Not all process server and private detective agencies are willing to sign such agreements.  These professionals might be “insulted” that one would even ask them to consider such a thing.  However, those private investigators and process servers that are unwilling to sign them are often the most likely to go behind the back of those who first hired them anyway.  Thus, their unwillingness to do so should serve as an enormous red flag, and all process servers and private investigators should avoid enlisting their help.

Other Oklahoma City private investigators and Yukon, Oklahoma process servers might note that tracking the people they have hired to determine whether or not they are going behind their backs to steal clients is quite difficult.  Fortunately, by doing “quality assurance checks” on them occasionally, one can usually find out who served the papers.  Thus, an Oklahoma process server goes online and checks to see who has been filling out the affidavits of service for an certain attorney.  If the person listed on the affidavit of service for the new cases is the same one the Oklahoma process server originally hired in to do the work, then he or she is violating the terms of the agreement.

While trying to track whether private investigators have engaged in this unethical practice can be a bit more difficult, a significant red flag might emerge whenever the Oklahoma private investigation firm sees a sudden drop in what is otherwise steady business from a customer.  This drop, of course, could be coincidental (i.e., the attorney is ill), but it could also require a bit of investigation on the part of the private investigator who hired the staff member or independent contractor to begin with.

Trying to monitor the activities of process servers and private investigators can prove to be a very time consuming task.  Therefore, taking great care in who is hired in is extremely important.  Performing background checks, asking for references, etc., can be vital.  Any process server or private investigation agency that refuses to provide references is one to avoid. 

While even the best and supposedly most trustworthy process servers and private investigators can betray the trust of those they have hired in, anyone who steals clients from others is seldom prosperous for very long.  Reputations spread, and other process servers, private investigators, law firms, governmental agencies, and more will find themselves much less likely to want to provide business to those unscrupulous individuals.  It is far better for all concerned to play fairly and to treat one another with respect and dignity.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Why Oklahoma Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Form Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) Instead of Traditional Corporations



Why Oklahoma Private Investigators and Process Servers Should Form Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) Instead of Traditional Corporations

            One thing that America is known for is its love of the courts.  For hundreds of years, the judicial system in the United States has played an extremely integral role in helping to settle divorces, small disputes, malpractice claims, business disagreements, immigration matters, and even criminal charges.  Needless to say, many business owners usually find out that they are not immune to lawsuits from unhappy customers.  Oklahoma private investigators and process servers can also find themselves sued, and thus they should equip themselves with the legal protections that forming a limited liability company (LLC) can provide.

            Limited liability companies can help give any process server or private investigator the chance to cover himself or herself with a “corporate shield” of sorts.  By forming an LLC, process servers and private investigators alike can make it to where, if ever successfully sued, their business assets are the only thing that a plaintiff can take from them.  This differs greatly from companies that are simply incorporated, and all Oklahoma process servers and private investigators need to know this major difference.

            Say, for example, that Mark, a customer, sues Jack, a diligent private investigator in Oklahoma, in court.  Mark somehow convinces the jury that he is right and that PI Jack is not.  Furthermore, in a miscarriage of justice the jury awards Mark $400,000.  Private Investigator Jack appeals, but he loses a few times.  Now Mark turns to Jack’s business assets to see what all PI Jack is worth.  However, Mark quickly gets disappointed.

            After a  hearing on Jack’s private investigation company’s assets, the courts determine that Jack’s business only has $3,000 worth of business equipment, assets, and property.  Everything else Jack owns is his own personal money and property.  Because Jack’s private investigation firm does not have the other funds, Private Investigator Jack realizes he can never pay off $400,000 and decides to have his company declare bankruptcy.

            After the bankruptcy goes through, Mark, the plaintiff in the case, walks away with his $3,000 and the satisfaction of knowing that the “evil” private investigator’s company is now bankrupt.  Private Investigator Jack, thankful that Mark could not touch his personal assets that amounted to $750,000, puts on his Oklahoma process server hat and forms a new company, which is also a limited liability company. 

As a process server, Jack also expands his business to include other fields, making sure to take out protective professional liability insurance.  Process Server Jack knows he cannot declare bankruptcy for many years to come, so he takes great care to sign special agreements with his clients, which serve to further protect him from lawsuits.  Now Jack brings his previous customers on board to his new business, and he enjoys the fruits of his labour.

            Having said all of this, courts can still pierce the corporate shields that protect business owners from having all of their personal assets take from them.  For example, if Private Investigator Jack had mixed his personal assets with his business assets, then Mark could have asked the courts to pierce this shield.  This is just one of several ways in which this can happen.

            All Oklahoma City process servers and Edmond, Oklahoma private investigators should remember another important thing though.  If their business is especially large, all of those assets are subject to a lawsuit.  Thus, if Private Investigator Jack’s private investigation company had amassed assets of $400,000 or more, then Mark could have successfully taken those away from him.  Mark just could not have touched any of the owner’s personal financial assets. 

            The corporate shield that limited liability companies have was especially meant to protect small businesses like private detective agencies and Oklahoma process server companies like Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com.  Otherwise, many business owners might not want to take the risk of starting a business and possibly losing both their company and personal assets.  All smart private investigation and process server companies in Oklahoma should definitely form limited liability companies, instead of simply becoming incorporated.


How Oklahoma Private Investigators Can Effectively Evaluate Clients’ Claims of Distress and Harm


How Oklahoma Private Investigators Can Effectively Evaluate Clients’ Claims of Distress and Harm

            Any Oklahoma private investigator who has served in the field for very long can attest to the fact that he or she has likely received what seem like very odd phone calls.  Perhaps the calls themselves from certain people in Oklahoma are not so strange, as are some of the stories they tell the private investigators with whom they speak.  However, as eccentric as some of these stories might sound, they could very well be true.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com suggests that all private investigators carefully listen to each client in a nonjudgmental way, so as to discern the truth of each matter. 

Of course, Oklahoma private investigators sometimes do not know whether the case is real or simply imagined in the client’s head.  This can make for a difficult job for an Oklahoma City private investigator who is trying to find out if his Oklahoma client might be delusional, paranoid, just bored and playing a prank, under the influence of drugs, or actually telling the truth.  Let us examine a recent example that an experienced private investigator encountered while on the phone with an individual who had called several times.

A woman from Edmond, Oklahoma had called the private investigators at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers several times asking for assistance.  On this most recent occasion, she wanted to set up an appointment and meet with a private investigator.  She stated that her problem had to do with the fact that someone had stolen money from her bank accounts and had unlawfully used her credit cards.  On the surface, this sounds reasonable and worth investigating.

At this point the Oklahoma private investigator asked the woman who she thought was trying to steal her money and why.  Many clients might have said, “I don’t know” or might have replied with, “Well, I think it was my ex-husband, etc.”  However, the lady responded with, “Well, I think it is an inside job by those working at the bank.”  Really?  This was a conspiracy by those at the bank to steal her money and use her credit cards?  Well, that did not sound quite right, but the Oklahoma private investigator decided to dig a bit further.

The Oklahoma City private investigator then asked the woman, “Have you reported this to the bank?”  The lady initially said, “No.”  Then when the private investigator asked why she had not done so, the lady changed her mind and gave a delayed, uncertain response of, “Yes, I did contact the bank.”  This conflicting answer, combined with the hesitation and her mixed responses, indicated deception.  Unfortunately, the woman did not stop her story there. 

This situation, the woman claimed, was one she had reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  The Oklahoma private investigator reported that the story just got even wilder and had even more responses that just did not add up.  At this point, the private investigator decided that this case had probably not really happened and was not worth spending the time and effort pursuing.  However, she had to do so with a great deal of tact.

While a client may very well be making up a story or may lean a bit toward the paranoid end of the spectrum, it is vital that all private investigators in Oklahoma and elsewhere remember to remain polite and professional.  Thus, in this situation the Oklahoma private investigator simply said, “Madam, this is a matter in which you might find the best results by contacting the Federal Trade Commission again.  I am sure they will work with you on this.”  Before the woman could begin to protest or attempt any additional convincing, the private investigator made her other phone ring and politely informed the other woman on the line that she needed to take the other call.

While it might have been tempting for the private investigator to have referred the matter out to another Oklahoma City private investigator that she did not like very much, that would not have been very nice to do.  There are quite a few private detectives in the field of private investigation throughout Oklahoma who might do this very thing.  Some lawyers and other professionals do it on a regular basis.  Nevertheless, it is an inappropriate practice for any professional to engage in, and it only wastes everyone else’s time.

Another unprofessional response to this situation would be to take the woman’s money, assuming she had any, and to proceed with the case.  Some clients may throw a lot of money at a case, and it may make them feel better.  However, if they could suffer from paranoia or could have some other unknown difficulty, doing so would only prove exploitive.  According to the Oklahoma Private Investigator Association’s (OPIA’s) Code of Ethics, this would not be a best practice for Oklahoma private investigators.

In addition, it was imperative that the Oklahoma private investigator did not accuse the woman of lying, being paranoid, or anything else.  While the private investigator was about 99% sure that the woman’s story was not reality, there was always that 1% chance that it could have been true.  Besides, what could the Oklahoma City private investigator have hoped to have accomplished by saying the woman might be paranoid or was simply making the story up for fun?  The clear was answer: nothing.

Anyone who stays in the field of private investigation for any length of time will undoubtedly find himself or herself listening to what could very well be a wild tale.  On the other hand, it could also be the truth, at least insofar as the individual on the other end of the phone is concerned.  It is always imperative that all Oklahoma private investigator remain diplomatic, tactful, polite, and professional when encountering these situations.  Private investigators who treat others as they would want to be treated often fare well throughout their professional careers.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

What Many Private Investigation Companies Look for When Hiring Oklahoma Private Investigators


What Many Private Investigation Companies Look for When Hiring Oklahoma Private Investigators

Oklahoma Private investigation agencies often look for a broad range of skills and backgrounds when hiring private investigators to work with them.  Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com has outlined a few of the numerous items that are very important to our firm when hiring private investigators in Oklahoma.  There are many factors to consider, and we value all of them.  These factors and the importance that each company places on them may, of course, vary from one private investigation agency to the next.

One value that is really important not only as a civil rights issue, but also as a matter of business, is diversity.  Having a diverse workforce is important in that it helps keeps Oklahoma private detective agencies from becoming stagnant and too homogeneous.  Valuing people based upon their different races, religions or lack thereof, sexual orientations, genders, ages, height, weight, nationalities, political affiliations, transgendered status, etc., can definitely work to a private investigation company’s advantage!

All too often private detective agencies in Oklahoma tend to hire in staff who are a lot like they are.  If the owner or hiring manager of a private detective agency is a middle-aged, white, conservative, Christian male, then he is likely to hire in other people who are like he is.  Of course, the same can hold true for females, those who are black, Hispanic, more liberal, Muslim, Buddhist, female, etc.  Unfortunately, this happens all too often across all backgrounds, countries, etc.  This often unfairly excludes private investigators who are otherwise very qualified candidates from the job market. 

It is noteworthy to mention that this may not apply if the guy is heterosexual wants to hire in what he considers to be hot young females.  Likewise, this general principal may not apply if the person is trying to hire in the cheapest labor possible, which may include undocumented workers.  Of course, some private investigation agency owners actively try to hire those from diverse backgrounds, and this is very helpful, too. 

            One of the problems with Oklahoma private detective agencies that mostly or exclusively hire those who are “too similar”, is that that this can lead to homogeneous thinking and functioning.  This can cause stagnation and can reduce the effectiveness of Oklahoma private investigators.  However, hiring a diverse range of Oklahoma private investigators has numerous benefits, not the least of which includes making one’s Oklahoma private detective agency more effective.

Let us assume that the individual an Oklahoma private investigator is trying to monitor and track happens to be gay.  Well, if the Oklahoma private detective agency employs private investigators who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc., then it has an enormous advantage!  An Oklahoma private investigator who is gay or lesbian is, on average, much more likely to feel more comfortable going into a bar that those who are gay, lesbian, etc., may possibly frequent.  In addition, someone who is gay or lesbian, on average, is much more likely to feel have some greater insights into certain other activities and the general mindset of someone else who is gay or lesbian.   

This same principal, while it is very important not to overgeneralize, is also applicable to those who are older.  A private investigation agency who hires in Oklahoma private investigators who are in their sixties or seventies is probably going to find that, all other things being equal, they are not always suspected as much as younger private investigators.  This can make it easier for them to blend in with a variety of situations, and that is good for both the company and the client! 

The aforementioned concept applies to those of different races, genders, etc.  The more that Oklahoma private investigators can blend in to their surroundings, the better the chances are that an Oklahoma private investigator will successfully gather the intelligence he or she is seeking.  This is one reason why diversity is such a wonderful thing for private investigators.

Diversity comes in a variety of forms, and Oklahoma private investigation agencies also look for private investigators with a broad range of work and education backgrounds.  Indeed, private investigation agencies like Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers also highly values applicants for Oklahoma private investigators with previous or current military experience, law enforcement backgrounds, and those with advanced degrees in job-related areas such as criminal justice, sociology, psychology, etc.  Having the right work background and skill set is especially important!

Another very valuable quality Oklahoma private detective agencies often look for in applicants may include the private investigator’s work history, his or her ability to get along well with others, one’s attitude, promptness, dedication, honesty, dependability, etc.  You can be a black, lesbian, Muslim female with a splendid background in law enforcement and a doctoral degree in criminal justice.  However, if that person cannot get along well with others at the company and is always steeped in conflict and turmoil, then it is unlikely he or she will stay for very long.

These are just a few of the many things that various owners of Oklahoma private investigation agencies look for when hiring Oklahoma private investigators.  It is important to note that these principles and their effects cannot be overgeneralized, and that each employer may value different qualities and backgrounds.  This is why it is important for private investigators to thoroughly conduct research into the companies they are going to apply to work with beforehand.    

Monday, January 21, 2013

Cheating Spouses, Boyfriends, and Girlfriends Keep Oklahoma Private Investigators Extremely Busy


Cheating Spouses, Boyfriends, and Girlfriends Keep Oklahoma Private Investigators Extremely Busy

            Oklahoma City private investigators, much like their counterparts in Edmond, Piedmont, Norman, Moore, Guthrie, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Del City, El Reno, Bethany, Tulsa, Stillwater, Owasso, are plenty busy these days!  Any Oklahoma private investigator, such as those who work at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com, can tell you that private investigators get calls for all kinds of cases.  These Oklahoma detective agencies receive calls ranging from requests for background reports, missing child cases, insurance fraud, and much more.  However, one type of case tends to stand out among some Oklahoma private investigators’ line of work, while a few other private investigators will not dabble in the area much.

Oklahoma private investigation customers often call to inquire about ways to find out whether or not their girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, or wife has been cheating on them.  Yes, too many couples in America and indeed around the world, all too often have experienced a bad case of infidelity or have even encountered it multiple times.  Many girlfriends cheat on their boyfriends and girlfriends, while quite a few boyfriends cheat on their girlfriends and boyfriends.  Quite a few spouses do not seem to fare much better, with temptations such as Facebook, sexting, special “massage” parlors, and online dating sites, just to name a few, filling up the divorce court dockets with regularity.

When the calls come pouring in, private investigators spread out onto the scene all throughout Oklahoma to track down cheating spouses.  From conducting surveillance from a distance to placing tracking devices on cars, there are lots of ways for Edmond, Oklahoma private investigators to find cheating girlfriends, boyfriends, and spouses.  Indeed, some private detectives often conduct their investigations via the use of special cameras that they place inside of the person’s home. 

Of course, all private investigators in Oklahoma have to follow special regulations whenever tracking a spouse who might be guilty of infidelity.  If, for example, the car that the private detective places a tracking device on does not belong to the other spouse in any way, shape, or form, then an Oklahoma private investigator cannot put it on there.  Likewise, Oklahoma private investigators cannot place discreetly disguised cameras or other recording devices into a home or other area that the spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend requesting help does not also rent or own.

There are a plethora of ways for Oklahoma private investigators to catch spouses who are guilty of infidelity.  This “industry” per se, while a sad reflection on the shortcomings of human nature, also makes for a booming business for process servers, attorneys, and counselors.  It goes without saying that infidelity helps keep some professionals in business. 

Perhaps the time will come when boyfriends, girlfriends, and spouses no longer call upon Oklahoma private investigators for help.  However, given the track record of humanity as a whole, it is unlikely that private investigation firms in Oklahoma will run out of business anytime soon.  As much as many people here claim to be faithful servants of God, they are still and will always be subject to battling the darker side of their own human tendencies.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Oklahoma Private Investigators Should Join the Oklahoma Private Investigator Association (OPIA)


Oklahoma Private Investigators Should Join the Oklahoma Private Investigator Association (OPIA)

Oklahoma City private investigators and private investigators all throughout Oklahoma should give strong consideration to joining a professional Oklahoma private investigator organization.  Professional associations are a convenient, fun, and often inexpensive way to network with others in the private investigation field, gain additional in-service training, benefits which may include insurance, and more.  Teachers, medical doctors, dentists, process servers, and numerous others have also joined together in this same endeavor. 

One such organization in Oklahoma for private investigators is the Oklahoma Private Investigator Association (OPIA).  One can easily find the website for the organization on www.opia.com.  The men and women who spend their professional careers conducting surveillance, investigating crimes, civil cases, finding out whether a spouse has been cheating, etc., have a wonderful time.  At the monthly meetings, an Oklahoma private investigator gets to enjoy a nice lunch with colleagues, listen to guest speakers, share new ideas, and much more.  Sometimes a private investigator in Oklahoma even wins a pretty intriguing door prize.

Another great thing about the OPIA is how it brings private investigators from Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, Tulsa, Piedmont, Guthrie, Bethany, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Del City, Stillwater, Owasso, Lawton, El Reno, and counties such as Tulsa County, Oklahoma County, Canadian County, Cleveland County – basically all throughout the state – together!  Great minds share fantastic ideas, and self-improvement is always a goal.  The chance that private investigators have to collaborate and refer clients from cities and counties that are far away from their office is an added and appreciated bonus!

The chief executive officer of Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers (www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com), Dr. John Keefe II, is a proud member of the Oklahoma Private Investigator Association.  Always a strong supporter of professional organizations, Dr. Keefe encourages his staff to join the Oklahoma Private Investigator Association.  The more Oklahoma private investigators that the OPIA has, the better they can work together to help serve the clients (i.e., attorneys, governmental agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals).  While it is true that private investigators often compete against one another for business, private investigators who collaborate through the Oklahoma Private Investigator Association also help bring the word “professional” into their chosen profession.   

Monday, July 23, 2012

The Importance of Video Cameras for Oklahoma Process Servers


The Importance of Video Cameras for Oklahoma Process Servers

            Traditionally many people think of video cameras as something that, say, a licensed private investigator might have use for.  A professional Oklahoma process server would never have use for video cameras now, would they?  Well, while it is indeed true that private investigators in Oklahoma like those at Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers www.OklahomaJudicialProcessServers.com often have more of a need for them than their process serving counterparts, this does not mean that the latter does not need them at all.  Indeed, video cameras can prove to be valuable for members of both professions.

            A lot of things can potentially happen to Oklahoma process servers when they go up to serve someone papers.  The person they are serving might be very nice and could just accept the papers.  This can make for a smooth, easy serve, but unfortunately this is not always the case. 

Some people grow angry and blame the Oklahoma process severs for serving them the papers.  Despite the fact that process servers are an impartial party to the entire process, this does not always seem to matter.  The person who just got served might try to attack the professional process server and might also curse and swear at him or her. 

Threats of violence can also take place, and a carefully mounted video camera located on a car or a tiny video camera placed on the process server’s shirt can provide invaluable evidence.  Everything needs to be documented to show the police or even a judge or jury how what happened and can exonerate the process server while showing where the real blame lies.  However, other circumstances also arise when process servers in Oklahoma can find great use for a video camera.

Sometimes people who are served will lie and will claim that they never received the papers at all.  While the courts will often believe an officer of the court over other ordinary individuals, having video evidence can help ensure that anyone claiming that he or she was not served has just perjured himself or herself in court.  This also protects Oklahoma process servers from legal liability, as it is a felony in Oklahoma for a process server to have properly claimed to have served someone papers when he or she really did no such thing.

Video cameras definitely have their place within the professional process serving profession.  When used correctly, they can record helpful evidence that can protect process servers.  This type of equipment adds an extra layer of invisible armor that serves as a shield of sorts.  Indeed, video cameras can protect private investigators and process servers both!