Private Investigator

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Private Investigators (6465.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Other Protective Service Occupations (G625) 
• 2011 NOC: Security guards and related security service occupations (6541) 

Private investigators may:

• investigate and work to prevent loss caused by theft or fraud in corporations and businesses
• observe disability insurance claimants to see if they are working at another job while they are claiming disability, or to see if their activities are consistent with the claimed disability
• conduct searches for missing persons
• gather information for lawyers about defendants or witnesses in criminal and civil court cases
• gather material or evidence for individuals in divorce or child custody cases
• conduct pre-employment checks
• work with government agencies, for example provincial family maintenance agencies.

To gather the information and evidence they need, private investigators may:

• interview employers, friends, relatives and other sources
• take photographs and videotape events
• locate witnesses and obtain statements from them
• search through public records
• keep individuals under surveillance.

No two assignments are ever the same. However, long hours and hard work are almost always involved. Much of the work is routine. Depending on the assignment, private investigators may work regular office hours or outside of the office hours, such as evenings, nights and weekends.

Private investigators need the following characteristics:

• personal integrity
• physical fitness
• tact and good oral and written communication skills
• good interpersonal skills
• a good memory
• the ability to stay alert while performing routine tasks
• an inquiring mind
• a determination to investigate each problem in detail.

They should enjoy having work responsibilities that change frequently, taking a methodical approach to compiling information, finding innovative approaches to locating people, and working with people.

Private investigators are employed by investigation companies and security agencies. Some start their own agencies.

To open a private investigation agency, a contract business licence is required from the GOA. Applicants for this licence must:

• be a registered company in Canada with an address in Alberta
• hold a business licence or permit in the municipality where the business operates, if applicable
• hold $1 million liability insurance
• have business owners, partners or a board of directors who have no serious criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted, have no outstanding criminal charges and are not the subject of a criminal investigation
• pay a $1,500 licensing fee for an agency (based on a 3-year term).

In the case of sole proprietorship, applicants must meet both business and individual (see Educational Requirements above) licensing requirements. Sole proprietors must submit the business and individual licensing application forms and documents, but are only required to pay the $1,500 business licensing fee.

Advancement opportunities are limited.

Private investigators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6541: Security guards and related security service occupations. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Business, Building and Other Support Services (PDF)
• Accommodation and Food Services (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Association of Private Investigators website: www.aapionline.ca

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General website: www.solgps.alberta.ca

Canadian Association of Private Investigators website: www.capicanada.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.