More Private Investigator Safety Tips

In my last article on the same topics I provided a list of several "safety tips" that I had taken note of over the years. I tried to and continue to attempt to place them all into practice when moving through the detritus of human society. This article is a continuance of that list.

As I have come across these "safety tips" and placed them into practice as a Private Investigator I have done so with an open mind. Many of the safety tips were meant for law enforcement officers. Private Investigators are not law enforcement officers. However, as I have seen there is a parallel depending what types of cases you work as a Private Investigator. For example, both law enforcement officer and public agency Detectives, and Private Investigators engaged in criminal cases will at some point be reading and reviewing grotesque post mortem reports (autopsy reports). Oftentimes both positions will require you to sit across the table from some very heinous people. In both positions you will find yourself in bad neighborhoods at all hours of the day and night. As a Private Investigator you will more than likely be working alone. If, for example, you are working a missing person case you might be lead to locations you are not familiar with where you find yourself outnumbered by people of a lesser moral standard and a greater affinity for violence. Or it can be something in the way of an infidelity investigation where you are sitting someplace conducting surveillance when all of a sudden your surveillance is "burnt" by an irate spouse. The law enforcement equivalent to this might be a domestic violence call. Statistically, domestic violence calls are the main killer of law enforcement officers due to the overwhelming human emotions involved in the environment....

Wherever you find yourself as a Private Investigator you need to be safe. Your overall goal needs to be to go home when you are completed with the day's work. Once again, the same rule applies to law enforcement officers and Detectives.

Here is a continuance of the list of "safety tips" for you to ponder and incorporate into your daily operation:

1. Maintain a positive attitude. It's pretty easy to sit down and crawl into the pity pot after you've read a post mortem report involving a kid. Step back and take a breath. After that breath put your job into perspective so that you can see the bigger picture of what you are involved in and what your role is.

2. Never lose your sense of humor! Be able to laugh at yourself and even some of the cathartic stuff you're seeing.

3 .Be alert to danger signs. For example, if you're out at high noon talking to somebody you met on the street during an area canvas, and the person you are speaking with is emotionally agitated, displays some muscle rigidity, and has pin point pupils -- .you're about to be attacked! The first two signs are obvious. But, the third isn't so much. There are only four things that cause pupils to constrict: 1.) Heroin, 2.)Traumatic head injuries, 3.) Darkness, and 4.) Fear.

4. Communicate. This isn't just an extension of item #6 on my last list. Its more than that. There's two points to it. One, if you are not working alone, communicate effectively with those you are working with. All persons must be on the same page of the book and know what is going on around them to be safe. If you are working alone, let somebody know where you are at, what you are doing there, and what time you estimate you are to be done there.Two, talk and debrief. Find somebody you can trust to communicate and dump the trash from time to time. Don't carry around the luggage of your emotions, fears, disappointments, anxieties, fallen hopes, and broken hearts. Speak about whatever is on your mind, and honestly deal with it as an adult. If you cannot, seek assistance of a mental health professional to help you gain the tools necessary to do so. It will improve your overall longevity.

5. Always know your location. If you are in a location on the street in an unfamiliar city and you need to call for assistance or help and you do not know your exact location to convey to the 911 Operator -- . You're probably going to be dead by the time folks find you. If you are driving a vehicle or the passenger in such get in the habit of catching the names of the intersection you are at every time the brakes are applied. When you come to a stop look for an address. If you're on foot, do the same things. Just do it every time you turn a corner, enter a driveway, or make contact with somebody.

6. Practice teamwork. If you're working with others, know everybody's strengths and weaknesses. Assign task and delegate the workload accordingly. Also, a team is only as strong as its weakest member. Politely and respectful, without arrogance, help the team to cross train so that all are close to the same level of expertise. Every team member should know something about the other team member's job function. Also, here's that word again, communicate. To effectively operate as a team all members must communicate with each other. Take the initiative to assist others when you can.

7. Maintain proficiency with your tools. This safety tip does coincide with items #12 & 15 in my last list. It's really kind of self explanatory. If you haven't qualified with your firearm in some time them maybe you should do so! If you haven't reviewed the applicable laws that pertain to the use of force do so. If you haven't shaken your can of O.C. spray that's sitting in your gear bag, that hasn't left the trunk of your vehicle in about four months -- do so. Further, if you're placing your holster onto a belt that is worn out and lets your firearm flop around like a dolphin at Sea World then maybe it's a good time to buy a new belt. It's not cosmetic. A good belt and a good holster are the beginning of the platform of your tactical marksmanship.

8. Keep physically fit. Don't ingest "gut bombs" (donuts) by the dozen. That's so 1970's -- . Stay physically fit so that you can release your stress, be able to defend yourself if needed, and look somewhat professional. I'm not saying that you have to be an ultra marathon runner. I'm saying put in the time to keep you body in working order so that you can continue to work with the minimal amount of pain possible. Heck, even "Magnum P.I." was a swimmer.

9. Search carefully. Aside from what was spoken of in item #18, search in a systematic order when you have to search. If you're alone looking for possible evidence in a vacant lot break the lot down mentally into quadrants. Start in the upper left hand corner of the lot and move clockwise through the quadrants. That way you don't miss that square foot of ground where what you are looking for is hiding.
10. Continue your education. Whether it be training in investigations or general education make it an ongoing process. Your brain is like a muscle. If you don't exercise it apathies.

So, go forth with this information and use it wisely to your advantage to survive and make it through the night with all limbs and mentality intact!

As always, Be Safe Out There!