Private Investigator Code of Ethics
We ae obligated to pursue our clients’ legitimate interests within the bounds of the law, professional ethics, and our moral values. We will only seek to support our clients’ interests if our interests align on a reasonable ethical, moral, and legal basis. We will promote the highest ethical, moral, and legal standards in the investigative profession. We will promote these standards and the general sharing of ideas with our employees and colleagues in the field in order to improve the overall competence and effectiveness of the profession. We will follow all regulations, laws and codes under the State of California and the Bureau of Security and Investigator Services.
The following seven principles to guide our daily business operations:
1. Professional Standards
We will adhere to these ethical and moral standards and follow the laws and regulatory requirements of the jurisdictions in which we work. We expect our employees and subcontractors to follow these same ethical and legal guidelines.
2. Licensing & Insurance
We will maintain a license and/or business registration with the appropriate agencies where we are located. We will maintain professional liability insurance to protect ourselves, our employees and our clients.
3. Scope of Work
We will only accept cases in which we have an appropriate level of expertise required to conduct the investigation. We reserve the right to refuse work that may be driven by questionable motives or that could otherwise call into question our character, morals or professional license. We will not misrepresent ourselves in order to solicit private, intimate or confidential information.
4. Conflicts
We will not knowingly accept any assignments which can be construed in any way as self-serving or a conflict of interest with our business or other assignments.
5. Confidentiality
We will not disclose any confidential information without the consent of our clients, unless required by law or court order.
6. Fees & Results
We will bill at a reasonable fee, which is mutually agreed upon and can be adequately explained. We will not work on a contingency fee. We offer no guarantees as to the result or outcome of our investigation.
7. Reporting
Our findings will be presented in an unbiased and fact-based manner. We will not provide any determination of guilt or innocence and we will not omit any material information.
Pretexting
- Phone Record Pretexting is Illegal https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/pretexting-banned-in-the-us
- Financial Pretexting is Illegal https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/privacy-security/gramm-leach-bliley-act
- Pretexting as An Officer of the Law is Prohibited
- Pretending to Be a Friend or Associate is Murky Ground
- Pretexting Can Ruin an Attorney’s Case
- Pretexting for Health Records is Illegal (HIPAA Privacy Rules)
Represented Parties
In representing a client, an attorney shall not communicate directly or indirectly about the subject of the representation with a person the attorney knows to be represented by another attorney in the matter, unless the attorney has the consent of the other attorney. This rule applies to attorney investigators seeking to interview a represented complainant or other witness.
Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS) Code of Regulations
https://bsis.ca.gov/about_us/laws/bsis_regulations.pdf
BSIS Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.bsis.ca.gov/consumers/faqs/pi.shtml
Record Conversations
Private Investigator must receive consent from members of the conversation that they’re recording to be in accordance with California Law.
Private Investigator Acts as a Bodyguard
May protect individuals but only do so in connection with a case that he/she had been previously hired to investigate.
Private Investigator "Ambulance Chase"
Private Investigators are prohibited from soliciting business from anyone who has sustained a bodily injury because of an accident or from soliciting business from a family member of anyone who has sustained a bodily injury or death