This month marks 10 years since EJM Investigations became a member of the World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI).
It’s a milestone we’re proud of, but it’s also a good opportunity to talk about something many people don’t realise. Unlike many other professions, private investigation isn’t a regulated industry in the UK.
That means, in theory, anyone can set themselves up as a private investigator, regardless of their experience or background.
If you’re looking to hire a private investigator, how do you know who to trust?
An Unregulated Industry
There’s currently no requirement for private investigators to hold a licence or belong to a recognised professional body.
While there have been discussions over the years about introducing regulation, it hasn’t happened. As things stand, choosing a private investigator often comes down to doing your own research and asking the right questions.
That’s why it’s worth looking beyond a company’s website. How long have they been established? Do they have genuine experience? Are they recommended by solicitors or businesses? Do they belong to recognised industry organisations?
None of these things guarantees a particular outcome, but together they can help you make a more informed decision. And by doing your own digging, you can help to make sure you’re not just trusting a website that could’ve been put together in five minutes and throwing your money away with someone who barely knows what they’re doing.
Why Professional Memberships Matter
Professional memberships aren’t just fancy logos to display on a website. Reputable organisations have standards that members are expected to uphold if they want to remain a member, helping to promote professionalism across the industry. It’s all about accountability.
They also provide opportunities for investigators to share knowledge, discuss new developments and keep up to date with changes that could affect the way they work. Whether that’s legislation, technology or investigative techniques, it’s important that investigators continue learning throughout their careers.
Nothing stands still, and so a good private investigator makes sure they continue to develop their skills so that they can continue to provide the high standards of service expected.
Being part of a professional association also means being part of a wider network of experienced investigators. While every investigator has their own areas of expertise, there are times when sharing knowledge or working alongside trusted colleagues benefits clients.
We’re not talking about your ‘run of the mill’ cases like local surveillance to catch a cheating partner. But if there’s a more unique challenge presented to an investigator, and they’re part of a professional body, they may be able to lean on the support of someone who’s tackled very similar cases before.
What Is WAPI?
The World Association of Professional Investigators is an international organisation that brings together experienced investigators from around the world.
Its members work across a wide range of specialist areas, from private investigations and corporate enquiries to legal support and intelligence gathering. Being a member provides organisations such as ours a range of opportunities to exchange knowledge, build professional relationships and promote high standards within the profession.
For EJM Investigations, being a WAPI member for the past decade is part of our ongoing commitment to professionalism and continuous development. It’s why we’re shouting about it being our 10-year membership anniversary now – this isn’t something we just signed up for to forget about.
More Than Just a Membership
One of the reasons professional memberships carry weight is that they come with expectations. WAPI members are required to follow a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, setting out the standards they’re expected to uphold in their day-to-day work.
That means carrying out investigations legally, professionally and with integrity. It means respecting confidentiality, staying up to date with relevant legislation, only taking on work they’re competent to carry out and making sure any information they obtain is used for lawful purposes.
The code also places an emphasis on honesty. Members shouldn’t exaggerate the services they offer or claim expertise they don’t have. Instead, they’re expected to be open about what they can do and, where appropriate, seek advice or support from other experienced investigators.
Of course, a professional membership isn’t a guarantee that every investigator is the right fit for every case. But knowing they’re committed to a recognised code of conduct should give clients extra confidence that they’re dealing with someone who takes both their profession and their responsibilities seriously.
You can see the full Code of Ethics that we adhere to on the WAPI website if you’d like to learn more.
What It Means for Our Clients
At the end of the day, most clients probably aren’t too concerned about what professional bodies a private investigator belongs to. What they really want to know is that they’re dealing with someone who knows what they’re doing and can be trusted to handle their enquiry properly.
That’s exactly why memberships like WAPI matter. They’re another sign that an investigator takes their profession seriously and is committed to maintaining high standards. Alongside experience, reputation and a proven track record, they help paint a picture of a business that’s invested in doing things the right way.
When you’re asking someone to investigate a sensitive personal matter, support a legal case or protect your business, that’s exactly the kind of reassurance you should be looking for.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud to be marking 10 years as a WAPI member, but this certainly isn’t a case of resting on our laurels.
Private investigation has changed a great deal over the last decade. Technology has evolved, legislation has changed and the way investigations are carried out continues to develop. Keeping up with those changes is all part of providing the service our clients expect, and being part of organisations like WAPI plays an important role in that.
Whether you’ve been following EJM Investigations for years or you’ve only just discovered us, our approach remains the same. To provide professional, discreet and reliable investigative services, while continuing to learn, develop and uphold the standards that our clients deserve.
If you’re looking for an experienced private investigator or would like to discuss an enquiry in confidence, contact EJM Investigations today on 01772 334700.