| If you wish to become a private investigator, it's | | | | walk away from a case that encroaches too far |
| important to take into account the effects the | | | | into their private lives. Police officers have no |
| job may have on your personal life. In this article I | | | | choice but to deal with whatever comes their |
| will set out what some of these effects can be. | | | | way, explaining why many ex-policemen find the |
| In many ways, private investigation is not so | | | | investigator business almost cushy by comparison. |
| much an occupation as a way of life. It's | | | | Sadly, alcoholism is also rampant among private |
| important that you and your loved ones are | | | | investigators, often because bars and licensed |
| prepared for this, and can accept that there will | | | | restaurants are the easiest, least obvious places |
| be times when your work has to come first. | | | | to work from. Successful investigators choose |
| Stress can be a problem, and many investigators | | | | non-alcoholic refreshments during working hours, |
| find that working long, irregular hours has a | | | | arguing that a clear mind is their most important |
| detrimental effect on their social lives and family | | | | asset. Quick thinking and fast decision-making skills |
| relationships. Sometimes your life might not seem | | | | are crucial. |
| your own, and there will be times when you are | | | | The business can, however, have serious |
| away from loved ones and friends for days, even | | | | implications for your private life. Social dates in an |
| weeks on end. All but the strongest relationships | | | | investigator's diary are frequently dashed at the |
| can crumble under such conditions. Bear this in | | | | expense of an urgent new case or a sudden |
| mind before entering the business! | | | | important development in an old one. It's |
| Stress may also result from the company the | | | | important to have understanding friends and |
| investigator keeps. As well as working with honest | | | | relatives who know that your work sometimes |
| and law-abiding individuals, they may find | | | | has to take priority over personal relationships. |
| themselves in regular contact with rogues and | | | | Overall, private investigation is a fascinating and |
| hardened criminals. | | | | generally well-paid profession, but it is decidedly |
| And stress can also arise from the fact that this | | | | not a nine-to-five job. If you are thinking of |
| is an endlessly challenging occupation. Every case | | | | entering this field it is essential that you, and your |
| is different, and much of the time you will have | | | | family and friends, understand this clearly. |
| only experience and intuition to guide you. | | | | To avoid problems, you should also take a |
| Sometimes, inevitably, you will make mistakes, | | | | professional training course before setting out in |
| which may or may not seriously hamper your | | | | this field. This applies even if you have previously |
| investigation. At other times the results you come | | | | worked in a related profession, such as the police |
| up with may be contrary to what your client | | | | or private security industry. A good training |
| wanted or expected. Professional investigators | | | | course will prepare you for all the many aspects |
| accept this as part of the job, but having to | | | | of working as a private investigator, and help to |
| disappoint a client, or even admit to failure, is | | | | reduce the undoubted stresses felt by |
| never easy, especially if you must then present | | | | newcomers to the profession. Training will also |
| them with your bill. | | | | give you the necessary legal background to |
| But there is a plus side as well, in that | | | | operate successfully as a PI and avoid |
| investigators choose their clients and can even | | | | inadvertently breaking the law. |