Private Investigator Training: What You Need to Know to Ace the Course!
Is it your dream to become a great Private Investigator in Canada?
You need to get some PI training in Ontario or whichever province you live in.
While a private investigators license is faster to earn than most undergrad degrees, learning new skills can often be challenging.
With the right information, you can succeed in acing our PI training and earn your private investigator license in Canada.
Keep reading to find out everything you know to ace the PI training course in Ottawa or another Canadian city.
Do Your Duty, Do Your Research
Before taking Private Investigator training, you should first find the correct online course. Research your options and make sure the course is suitable for your needs.
Many private investigator agencies and private investigators offer PI training. However, not all private investigator courses are created the same, and not all courses are compliant with the M.C.S.C.S.
In Ontario, the agency or investigator is allowed to charge their own rates for the private investigator course. However, the course syllabus must cover pre-defined topics and include a minimum of 50 hours of training. This training has to be timed to confirm each student has completed the mandatory 50-hour training.
Contact a range of agencies that offer the private investigator course. Talk to the instructors and find out everything you can about the training program.
To become a successful and knowledgeable private investigator, it is important to find a training course. This course should provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge. Researching private investigator training courses available in Ontario and other Canadian provinces is important. Ensure that the one you choose is the best option for you.
A comprehensive curriculum should be part of the course. It should cover the laws and regulations for private investigators in the province. Additionally, it should include hands-on experience with investigative techniques, surveillance, and gathering evidence.
It should also provide guidance on how to obtain and maintain a private investigator licence in the province. Take time to find the correct training course. This will ensure you are well-prepared for private investigation work in the province.
Tell the Instructor You Want to be a PI
Tell the instructor that you want to become a private investigator in Ontario.
Many people take the private investigation course as a stepping stone to becoming a police officer. Others take the police foundations course first. Still, others choose to pursue a career in investigation, as it offers freedom in selecting cases and great pay.
If your instructor knows you want to be a private investigator, they’re more likely to allow you to prove yourself. The more opportunities you’re presented with, the more practice you’ll get at being a private investigator.
It will only help you ace the private investigator course.
Learn the Course Material
The best way to ace the private investigator course is to learn the material.
The private investigator course is 50 hours in total. During the course, you’ll cover all the different elements of private investigation, including,
· The Canadian Legal System
· An introduction to the industry
· Report Writing
· Health and Safety
· Legal Authorities
· Sensitivity Training
· Use of Force Theory
· Basic Security Procedures
· Effective Communications
· Emergency Level First Aid Certification
· Emergency Response Preparation
Everything that you need to know about the private investigation industry is included in the private investigator course.
A good instructor will provide you with the most up-to-date information. They will also provide you with the resources you need to ace the course.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Learning the material is one thing. Applying what you learn in the private investigator course is another.
The more practice in the field you can get before you take the private investigator exam, the better.
Your instructor will have a few assignments for you as part of the course. You will also have to work within the limitations of the law. However, practicing your private investigation skills is a great way to ace the course.
A few things you should expect to know how to do well include,
Background Checks
A background check is a search you can run on someone to uncover details about their past. Information can include things like,
· Marital status
· Education
· Criminal records
· Motor vehicle reports
Background checks are a popular request for private investigators. If you are a licensed private investigator, you need to know how to run a thorough background check. This could be for personal reasons, such as researching a potential partner. Or, it may be for a company needing to check the background of new employees.
Interviews
Communication is a key skill for any private investigator. If this is something you need to work on, it’s in your best interest to practice with family and friends. It will help you ace the private investigator course.
Communication is key because a private investigator must interview people to gather information for many different types of cases.
For example, a private investigator working for a lawyer might need to interview witnesses who can provide information about a car accident.
The way you communicate as a private investigator is so important. If people perceive you as a bully, they will not want to share information.
This is why learning this skill during your private investigator training is so important.
Research
A lot of private investigator work involves research. So practicing and developing your research skills will help you to ace the private investigator course.
Good research involves a variety of tools and sources. While most research these days can be done online, on occasion, a private investigator will need to look through physical documents.
Surveillance
A good private investigator knows how to run a successful surveillance operation.
The key to a good surveillance operation is the ability to observe an individual without their notice.
Some surveillance tasks require a private investigator to watch video footage. However, other tasks require a private investigator to monitor someone as they go about their day-to-day activities.
Both require patience and practice.
That’s why developing this skill is a great way to make sure you ace the private investigator course.
Locates
Locates require a private investigator to find either a missing person, product or property.
This private investigator service requires a private investigator to use a combination of skills like background checks, research, and surveillance.
Ultimately, to ace the private investigator course, you need to have a good understanding of all private investigator techniques. This is why practice is so important.
It will help you to successfully conduct locates in the field.
Take the Exam
After you complete the 50 hours of private investigator training, you will be issued a certificate, and once you receive your certificate of completion, you will write your exam with the Ministry.
The exam will cover everything you learned during the course, including the rules, laws and guidelines which surround the industry.
If you have questions, it’s important to speak to your instructor before you take the exam. A thorough understanding of the course material will help you to ace the test.
Congratulations! You’re a licensed PI.
Passing the private investigator exam gets you your private investigator’s license in Ontario or other provinces.
When you have your private investigator’s license, you’re legally allowed to work as a private investigator!
One of the benefits of taking the private investigator’s course with the right instructor is the chance to work for a professional right after you earn your license.
Start achieving your dreams of becoming a private investigator by taking the PI training course today.
I am very excited to start my P.I course with Smith Investigations, I have done numerous searches and Smith investigation was the only company that focuses on family law and child custody which is an area that I am very passionate about.