How NOT to Operate a Private Investigative Agency

Reprinted from http://www.legalnewsline.com/, Friday, July 16, 2010, originally titled "Gansler, P.I. Firm Settle."  Written by Keith Loria. 

Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced on Wednesday [July 14, 2010] that his office has reached a settlement with a private investigation firm over allegations that it took money from clients and never provided services.

Donaldson Investigations LLC, an Anne Arundel County-based private investigation company, and Jerry Donaldson, its owner, were allegedly debiting money from clients without telling them first.

"Consumers need to know when the companies they hire to perform a service take money out of their bank accounts," Gansler said. "We are pleased that Donaldson has agreed to change the way it does business and resolve the complaints we have received."

Although Donaldson Investigations denied it violated any laws, the company agreed to stop withdrawing money from its customers' bank accounts without letting its customers know in writing at least 10 days in advance.

The company also agreed to deal with the complaints that the Consumer Protection Division has received, or that come in within the next five years, using the attorney general's arbitration program.

The settlement also calls for the company to pay $5,000 in legal fees and $5,000 as a civil penalty, which can increase to $20,000 if the company doesn't comply with the agreement.



Note From Jeff Kimble:

The above article offers a cautionary tale.  The unsrupulous, the opportunistic, and the dishonest are few, but unfortunately they are still found in every facet of the business world, including private investigative agencies.  (See: Things You Should Know Before Hiring a Private Eye in the May 2010 archive of this blog.)

At Arizona Private Investigations, we meet face to face with our clients, provide regular updates and reports, contractually bind our company to prepaid and/or fully disclosed fees, and never automatically withdraw funds from your account.  At Arizona Private Investigations, you will always know where you stand, what you pay, and what method of payment will be used before the investigation even begins.  

Our company has built its reputation on two things: honesty and great personal service.  We will never settle for less.  Call for a free consultation at 480-318-9936 or visit our website at: http://www.azprivateeye.com.

Jeff Kimble, P.I.
Arizona Private Investigations/
Arizona Legal Document Services, L.L.C.
101 West Main Street, Ste. 9
Mesa, Arizona  85201

How a Private Investigator Can Help You

The following was written by Jeff Kimble, P.I., owner of Arizona Legal Document Services, L.L.C. http://www.arizonalegaldocs.com/.  It is intended to provide general information regarding the business of private investigations and should not be considered legal advice.

The public perception of the private investigator is varied and nebulous, both from the frequently exaggerated and inaccurate portrayals of "private eyes" in film and television, and also from the simple fact that, compared to other occupations, a relatively small percentage of citizens run across or require the services of a private investigator in the first place.

A simple yet precise definition of a private investigator is one who is employed to collect information. Once the drama, the mystique, and the ridiculous (just watch one episode of Magnum P.I. to get the wrong idea of the investigation business) are stripped from the fictitious versions of the job description, a private investigator is essentially a collector of information. He or she—if ethical, professional, and experienced—knows how to retrieve this information legally, whether through research, observation, or technical means, and then provides this information to his or her client for a fee.

Private investigators are hired by individuals, families, small businesses, large corporations, and even by government entities. Cases range from industrial espionage to lost pets, from criminal investigations to pre-employment screenings, and the types of P.I.'s and their specialties are as diverse as are the clients who hire them and the varied cases they present.

The first step toward determining whether a private investigator can help you is by clearly defining your reasons for hiring one in the first place. What do you want? Are you simply trying to find out the truth in a personal matter? Or are you planning to use the information you obtain from the investigation in court? Or both? These kinds of questions are important to ask yourself before you begin your search for a reputable investigator, as they may affect the outcome of your case, as well as its cost.

If you are considering litigation (going to court) you may want to hire an attorney before hiring a private investigator. The attorney should advise you as to whether your case requires the services of an investigator to be successful. There is no sense in making a financial investment in information that may ultimately not be useful or admissable in court.

If you are purely interested in "the truth" regarding a matter, then calling a P.I. directly may be your best option.  A private investigator can be your confidential resource for what you cannot (or do not want to) ascertain on your own.  He or she can be "your eyes" into matters the police may not be able to help you with, and can effectively be your agent or representative in matters familial, civil, and/or personal in nature.

Always keep in mind that different investigative agencies offer different services, and those services can vary greatly in cost and scope. A large agency with hundreds of operatives may not be economically appropriate to help you find a long lost relative, but may be perfect to handle a complicated case of corporate fraud. A small agency may be ideal to help you determine if your spouse is unfaithful, but may be the completely wrong choice for the countersurveillance needs of a Fortune 500 Company.  Investigate your investigator first.  Research online, contact the Better Business Bureau, read client testimonials, and thoroughly review the agency's licensing and qualifications.  (See: Things You Should Know before Hiring a Private Eye in the May 2010 archive of this blog.)

Once you feel satisfied with your choice, meet the investigator(s) in person. How do you feel about him, her, or them? Do they handle themselves professionally? Do they appear trustworthy? What is your "gut reaction"? Do you feel comfortable with them in general? These are valid questions, and often the best test when making the final determination. You could very well end up having a long and intimate business relationship with this person or persons, and they may see your significant other, family, friends, business associates, and acquaintances at their best or worst. If you don't feel completely comfortable trusting him or her with your personal and/or business information—look elsewhere.

Once you have determined that you require the services of a private investigator and have made your choice from the many agencies available, what are some of the specific services private investigators have to offer?

My company, Arizona Private Investigations, a subdivision of Arizona Legal Document Services, L.L.C., offers the following:

Child Custody and Infidelity Investigations
Pre-Employment Screening
Criminal History Reports
Individual Background Profiles
Adult and Youth Caregiver Abuse/Neglect Investigations
Teen Whereabouts/Lifestyle Investigations
Premarital Screening
Tenant Screening
Missing Persons /Skip Traces
Witness Location
Witness Interviews (statements and affidavits)
Police Interviews
Expert Witness Research and Interviews
Evidence Collection
Surveillance (physical, photographic, and satellite tracking)
Testimony/Deposition
Location and Recovery of Property (including replevins)
Threat Investigations
Insurance Fraud Investigations
Criminal Investigations
Forensic Audio Enhancement
Forensic Photographic Enhancement

Hiring a private investigator can be one of the most valuable and life changing choices you ever make.  To further appreciate what a private investigator can do for you, contact Jeff Kimble at 480-318-9936, or visit the Arizona Legal Document Services, L.L.C. website at:

http://www.azprivateeye.com

"The Truth will set you free..."

History of the Private Investigator

The following was originally posted by http://www.writingpis.wordpress.com/ on May 19, 2010.

In 1833 Eugene Francois Vidcoq, a French ex-criminal, founded one of the first private detective agencies, Le bureau des renseignments (Office of Intelligence) where he oversaw the work of other detectives, many ex-criminals like himself. He’s credited with having introduced record-keeping, criminology, and ballistics to criminal investigation. He also created indelible ink and unalterable bond paper with his printing company. Apparently, he had an altruistic bent as he claimed he never informed on anyone who had stolen for real need.

With Vidocq, the private investigator was born. As the industry evolved, clients often hired PIs to act in law enforcement capacities, especially in matters they were not equipped for or willing to do. This led to PI agencies sometimes performing like private militia and assisting companies in labor disputes.

Such an agency was the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in the United States. It was established in 1850 by Allan Pinkerton, whose claim to fame was foiling a plot to assassinate then President-Elect Abraham Lincoln.

In an era with many law enforcement personnel openly associating with criminals sharing their illegal profits, Pinkerton stood out by promising that his agents would not only produce results, but always act with the highest ethics. He promised to:

Accept no bribes
Never compromise with criminals;
Partner with local law enforcement agencies, when necessary
Refuse divorce cases or cases that initiated scandals of clients
Turn down reward money (his agents were paid well)
Never raise fees without the client’s pre-knowledge, and
Apprise clients on an ongoing basis.

It’s remarkable how many of the above ethical standards are mirrored in many PIs’ standards today (such as regularly apprising clients, partnering with law enforcement, and raising fees only with clients’ knowledge). It’s also amusing to read how Pinkerton’s men refused divorce cases considering today many PIs specialize in marital investigations.

The term “private eye” is from the Pinkerton agency’s logo, an eye surrounded with the words “We Never Sleep.”

In his memoirs, Pinkerton credited two specific agents (one female) for helping establish the firm’s reputation for efficiency and honor: Timothy Webster and Kate Warne (the first female detective in the U.S.).

By the 1920s, due to the expanding middle class in America, the private investigator became better known to the average citizen. Since then, the PI industry has continued to grow as it fills the needs of the public (who retain PIs to work on cases like infidelity, fraud, and criminal defense investigations). Licensing requirements, with criteria a PI must meet, have also been regulated in most states in the U.S. Additionally, professional organizations (regional, national, and international) combined with good business practices have cast the PI career in a more respected light versus its outdated, fictional reputation as the wrinkled trench coat, fallen-from-grace Sam Spade figure found in books and film.

Legalities of Surveillance

The following was written by Kelly E. Riddle, Kelmar and Associates Incorporated.

Surveillance and privacy issues are a constant source of contention for PI's. Although the author is not an attorney and does not intend to offer legal advice, there are case-laws currently on the book which investigators and their clients should be aware of. These, by no means, are the final or sole cases related to the subject. It should be understood that the courts are constantly hearing cases that may have a bearing on the PI industry. The courts have the right to over-rule prior decisions, to restrict prior findings or to disregard prior case law all together. Therefore, please consider the following case findings with these circumstances in mind.

DeLuna -v- State of Texas (1986): Part of the court's findings involved a decision that photographs are admissible as evidence if they accurately depict the subject at the time they were taken.

Darden -v- State of Texas (1982): The court ruled on several issues which included the admissibility of motion pictures and photographs as evidence. The court decided that motion pictures and photographs are admissible as evidence provided there is proof of their accuracy as correct representations of the subject at the given time and they have material relevance.

Johnson -v- State of Texas (1977): The court delivered a finding that photographs that fairly and accurately depict the subject are generally admissible and any discrepancies between the photograph and the subject at the relevant time, if properly pointed out, will not render the photograph inadmissible.

Terry -v- State of Texas (1973): The court indicated that photographs are admissible in evidence and sighted the theory that they are pictorial communications of the witness who uses them, instead of, or in addition to, some other method of communication.

Hall -v- State of Texas (1992): The court ruled that under Rule 1001 which governs the admissions of photographs, including video tapes, the "7 prong test" must be satisfied. The 7 prong test consists of the following:

1) It must be proved that the recording device (camera) was capable of taking testimony. Note: The investigator must be able to show that the camera was in good operating condition without malfunctions.

2) The operator of the recording device must be shown to be competent in the use and operation of the device.

3) The authenticity and correctness of the recording must be documented. Note: The investigator must be able to document the proper chain of custody and that tampering with the tape has not occurred.

4) The investigator must be able to show that the tape or photographs have not had any additions, deletions or changes made to the tape. Note: The investigator must be able to testify that the tape is a true and complete recording, free of editing or tampering of any kind. If a tape is edited, the original unedited copy must be available for review by the court.

5) The court must be shown the manner of presentation.

6) The recording must show proper identification of the subjects depicted in the tape or photographs. Note: The investigator must have proper facial views of the subject documented so that the identity of the subjects can be assessed.

7) Must be able to show that the testimony or actions was elicited voluntarily without inducement. Note: This goes directly to the "entrapment" of a subject. The Investigator cannot cause a situation that would create circumstances that would make the subject act differently than they might without the circumstances presented to them. Example: the investigator cannot let the air out of a tire to cause the subject to have to change the tire.

U.S. -v- Pretzinger (1976): The court indicated that the attachment of an electronic location device to a vehicle moving about on public thoroughfares or through public air or public space does not infringe upon any reasonable expectation of privacy and does not constitute a search. therefore no search warrant is needed for installation of the device. Note: The investigator should remember other laws such as trespassing laws when considering the use of these devices. If the investigator has to enter upon the property of the subject to affix the device on the vehicle, trespassing may have occurred.

U.S. -v- Mendoza (1978): The court made a ruling on the admissibility of tape recordings which were made with the consent of one party to a conversation (ex: an undercover officer). The court rules that judicial authorization to record conversations is not necessary in these situations.

U.S. -v- Torres (1984): According to the findings in this case, television surveillance of suspected criminals and criminality is not unconstitutional.

U.S. -v- Rizzo (1978): The court found that in this case, a private investigator was attempting to gather evidence of marital infidelity on behalf of their client. The court stated that regardless of whether or not the private investigator installed an electronic device for recording conversations over the telephone or procured the client-spouse to install it by giving her the device and instructing her on how to use it, they violated the provision against interception of wire or oral communications.

White -v- Weiss (1976): The found that when a private investigator used, or gave their client an electronic device to record telephone conversations even though it was within the client's own home and it involved one spouse against another violated the wiretap provisions of Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.

U.S. -v- Myers (1982): In a case in which undercover agents videotaped a conversation with a Congressmen, the court ruled that the agents did not violate the Congressmen's 1st and 4th Amendment Rights.

Air Line Pilot's Association, International -v- United Airlines: The court rules that it is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act to unlawfully photograph a picket line is it is intended to coerce or interfere.

National Labor relations Board -v- Southern Mayland Hospital: The court ruled that it is not illegal to photograph union activities in areas restricted to the union.

General Notes: It is apparent that the court has ruled that a person has the right to privacy if a reasonable and prudent person would have an expectation of privacy under similar circumstances. If a person has the garage door open and you can see the subject from the street without any binoculars or other visual assistance, the person can't expect to have a total sense of privacy. Whereas, a subject in their own home with the doors and curtains closed would be expected to have a certain degree of privacy. Common sense goes a long way in this type of work. Remember, it is your business, livelihood and reputation on the line. Making a few dollars illegally is not worth the long-term circumstances. If the situation involves trespassing, entrapment or some other violation, think before you commit.

The Gun Is Civilization

The following was written by Maj. L. Caudill USMC (Retired).

Human beings only have two ways to deal with one another: reason and force. If you want me to do something for you, you have a choice of either convincing me via argument, or force me to do your bidding under threat of force. Every human interaction falls into one of those two categories, without exception. Reason or force, that's it.

In a truly moral and civilized society, people exclusively interact through persuasion. Force has no place as a valid method of social interaction, and the only thing that removes force from the menu is the personal firearm, as paradoxical as it may sound to some.

When I carry a gun, you cannot deal with me by force. You have to use reason and try to persuade me, because I have a way to negate your threat or employment of force.

The gun is the only personal weapon that puts a 100-pound woman on equal footing with a 220-pound mugger, a 75-year old retiree on equal footing with a 19-year old gang banger, and a single guy on equal footing with a carload of drunk guys with baseball bats. The gun removes the disparity in physical strength, size, or numbers between a potential attacker and a defender.

There are plenty of people who consider the gun as the source of bad force equations. These are the people who think that we'd be more civilized if all guns were removed from society, because a firearm makes it easier for a [armed] mugger to do his job. That, of course, is only true if the mugger's potential victims are mostly disarmed either by choice or by legislative fiat--it has no validity when most of a mugger's potential marks are armed.

People who argue for the banning of arms ask for automatic rule by the young, the strong, and the many, and that's the exact opposite of a civilized society. A mugger, even an armed one, can only make a successful living in a society where the state has granted him a force monopoly.

Then there's the argument that the gun makes confrontations lethal that otherwise would only result in injury. This argument is fallacious in several ways. Without guns involved, confrontations are won by the physically superior party inflicting overwhelming injury on the loser.

People who think that fists, bats, sticks, or stones don't constitute lethal force watch too much TV, where people take beatings and come out of it with a bloody lip at worst. The fact that the gun makes lethal force easier works solely in favor of the weaker defender, not the stronger attacker. If both are armed, the field is level.

The gun is the only weapon that's as lethal in the hands of an octogenarian as it is in the hands of a weight lifter. It simply wouldn't work as well as a force equalizer if it wasn't both lethal and easily employable.

When I carry a gun, I don't do so because I am looking for a fight, but because I'm looking to be left alone. The gun at my side means that I cannot be forced, only persuaded. I don't carry it because I'm afraid, but because it enables me to be unafraid. It doesn't limit the actions of those who would interact with me through reason, only the actions of those who would do so by force. It removes force from the equation... and that's why carrying a gun is a civilized act.

By Maj. L. Caudill USMC (Ret)

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin
“The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” Thomas Jefferson

Things You Should Know Before Hiring a Private Eye

The following was adapted from information available on the Arizona Department of Public Safety website: http://www.azdps.gov/.

If you are considering hiring a private investigator and have never done so, you may be making decisions while highly emotional. Regardless, you should give such a decision careful thought and thoroughly consider the circumstances before hiring an investigator. Prior to contacting a PI, you should specifically identify what it is you want to know, what your expectations are, and how much money you can afford to spend. Additionally, you may want to first check on the PI (or agency) using a consumer assistance group such as the Better Business Bureau, researching reports on the internet, or examining other sources of business information. Please note: a company is not necessarily "bad" because it has complaints registered with such sources; sometimes the complaints are not justified. You may also want to check with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Licensing Unit to determine if the PI (or agency) is properly licensed. In Arizona, any advertisement for a PI agency (or PI) must also contain their license number.

Once a PI is selected, talk to the investigator and discuss the case with them, including what you want to know, what your expectations are, and how much you can afford. The PI should readily provide options and inform you if your goals and finances are realistic for the case. If the PI cannot provide this information, you may want to look elsewhere.

Once you are in agreement with a PI, a written contract may be drawn up that specifically states what will be done: deadlines, fees, frequency of reports, estimated costs, etc, so that no significant issues are left unknown. While a written contract is not required by law, the lack of such an instrument can prove detrimental for both the PI and the client if problems later arise.

Once the PI has completed the agreed upon work, the client is often required to pay the PI a retainer (or payment as otherwise agreed upon) before the PI is required to provide a case report to the client. The case report may be written or verbal.

The following are common issues between PI's and their clients and are provided for the benefit of both parties. This does not constitute legal advice nor does it interpret law or administrative rules:

1. While most private investigators are competent and manage their affairs in a professional manner, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS) Licensing Unit has received complaints related to misunderstandings about services provided and fees. Many times, consumers believe that their retainer will cover all of the costs for their case. This simply may not be true. You should be aware that a retainer is normally required before a PI will do any work on your case and that payment of a retainer in no way means there will not be further billing for services (unless it is specified in a contract). Initial billing is normally deducted from the retainer, and once that runs out, the client is normally notified. Anyone seeking the services of a PI should consider obtaining a written contract that details what the consumer wants, what the fees will be, time limits, and what the PI can actually perform. If you are hiring a PI to perform work for you and there is a deadline for that work to be completed, ensure that the date is written into a contract. If you are comfortable with the PI, verbal contracts are permitted and common, however, keep in mind that you may have difficulties if problems later occur and there is no written agreement. Either way, it should be your choice, and the PI you are hiring should accomodate you and honor your wishes in regard to a contract. If not, you may want to look elsewhere.

2. Oftentimes, PI's will bill consumers for phone calls, making copies, office consultations and in particular, "stand-by" time. Stand-by time usually occurs when you are directing a PI to wait on your behalf for an event to occur, such as the subject of an investigation to go somewhere. A PI at their office or home on "stand-by" may legally bill you for this time; make sure you and the PI understand what is expected.

3. Generally, every person performing PI services in Arizona must be licensed by the AZ DPS Licensing Unit. PI's are provided an ID card that shows who they are and when their license expires. You may reasonably ask to see their PI ID Card and record the license number and expiration date. Additionally, PI agencies are provided a Private Investigation Business License that must be clearly displayed at their place of business. Report anyone claiming to be a PI who cannot (or will not) produce such licenses or ID to the AZ DPS Licensing Unit at (602) 223-2361.

4. As stated previously, many PI's are competent professionals, however, some are simply inexperienced or unqualified to perform certain services such as lie detection, electronic debugging, and other highly technical and sophisticated specialties. You should speak candidly with the PI (or agency representative) who will be performing such services and establish what the PI's qualifications and experience are. Normally, persons trained in such specialties can provide specific knowledge or evidence from schools, seminars, prior law enforcement and/or military experience, etc. that will demonstrate what their qualifications and experience are. Bottom line: if you are not comfortable with the PI, you may want to find someone else.

5. PI's should provide you with a case report (written or verbal) at the completion of services and once final payment has been made (or some other option that has been agreed upon in a contract.) In some cases, you and the PI may have agreed that your case will be performed in sections and that each section will require payment at its completion. Other variations may be established as well. Regardless, it is in your best interest to know exactly what the terms are before you sign a contract or enter into a verbal agreement. The final report should normally provide a detailed picture of what was done, when it was done, how much time was expended on your case, the results of the investigation, and the cost of each component of the investigation, such as: time expended on surveillance, phone calls, stand-by time, extra investigators, special equipment, etc. If agreed upon by the client and the PI, a basic verbal report is also appropriate.

6. Persons hiring a PI must be aware that cases will not always turn out the way they expect or hope. Surveillance work, criminal background research, and divorce related searches are all classic examples of potentially expensive PI work that may prove fruitless for the client, however, PI's will still legally bill you for their time and efforts and you are obligated to pay them. Inability to obtain desirable or favorable results for a client does not legally justify not paying or disciplining a PI. For example, the Licensing Unit cannot discipline a PI for his/her inability to locate the person he/she was hired to find.

7. You may reasonably ask for evidence of work performed by a PI. This evidence could include photographs or videotape of a certain location or event, an audio recording, copies of documents, receipts, etc, to name a few. For example, let's assume you want to know if a certain car is parked at a hotel in a city 100 miles away. The PI travels to the hotel, locates the car and photographs or videotapes the car while parked at the hotel. This would constitute reasonable evidence that the PI performed the work. As another example, you may want a PI to watch a house to determine if any cars pull into the driveway and then videotape the cars and occupants. But what happens if the PI is watching the house and no cars arrive so the PI doesn't record any video? There is nothing wrong with this if the client is comfortable with it, however, many PI's will use a video or digital camera to record short (5-20 second) time and date stamped videos (or photos) of the location and offer them to the client as evidence they performed the work. You should be wary of PI's that refuse to show evidence of work performed or at least explain what they have done. Bottom line: Get this requirement in writing if it is important to you.

8. Generally, it is illegal under federal law (The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act [GLBA] also known as The Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999) for a person (or PI) to obtain account information from financial institutions (such as banks) unless the account owner gives their consent. Oftentimes in the past, the person (or PI) would perform an act called "pretexting" and fraudulently obtain personal information on the subject of an investigation by pretending to be the account holder. This tactic is now used for identity theft, and is illegal when performed in conjunction with obtaining confidential and protected personal information. Pretexting to obtain personal information used to be common in divorce cases and law suits, but since this tactic is now considered criminal and unethical, an honest PI should not engage in such procedures, nor should he/she be advertising to perform such services. However, keep in mind that some information about you or the subject of an investigation may be a matter of public record, such as whether you own a home, pay your real estate taxes, or have ever filed for bankruptcy. It is not illegal for a PI to collect this kind of information.

9. Generally, it is illegal under federal law (The Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act [TRPPA] of 2006) for a person (or PI) to obtain personal phone records from a telephone company or internet phone provider service without the consent of the account holder. The means of obtaining such information are similar to those used in obtaining account information from financial institutions.

10. Generally, it is illegal under federal law (The Fair Credit Reporting Act [FCRA] as amended May 22, 2009) for a person (or PI) to obtain credit reports without the consent of the credit holder or some other legitimate purpose. As previously stated, the means of obtaining such information oftentimes are similar to those used in obtaining account information from financial institutions.

Complaints

If you have a complaint against a Private Investigator or Private Investigative Agency in Arizona, you should first try to resolve it directly by contacting a supervisor of the agency. If for some reason you are unable to resolve the problem, you may wish to contact senior management or the agencies consumer affairs representative for further assistance. Dealing directly with the agency is usually the fastest, simplest and most effective approach. Most agencies value their customers and will usually be responsive to their concerns. If you are unable to resolve your complaint directly with the PI agency, you may file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Licensing Bureau, which is responsible for ensuring that the agencies we regulate comply with applicable state laws. (See address, phone and website information below.) If an investigation of your complaint finds a violation of law or rule, you will be informed of the violation and the corrective action to be taken. However, the AZ DPS does not have authority to resolve contractual disputes or undocumented factual disputes between a customer and an agency. They also do not have the authority to resolve disagreements pertaining to the agencies policies and procedures that are a matter of management discretion and not addressed by specific laws. In such cases, if the agency does not make a voluntary adjustment, AZ DPS will usually advise you to consider obtaining legal counsel regarding your rights to resolve the situation. While the AZ DPS Licensing Bureau endeavors to intercede on behalf of complainants, the transactions at issue are not always within their authority as regulators. The Department's regulatory authority is limited to the laws passed in the legislature that relate to security guards and private investigators.

AZDPS Licensing Unit

PO Box 6328 MD 1160

Phoenix, AZ 85005

Phone: (602) 223-2361

Fax: (602) 223-2938