Tony:

Unfortunately, this is where the private sector has in some areas been forced to exceed the public sector investigators. Having been in both, I can see both sides of this issue. In many cases, in the public sector once you are placed in that position you are there until retirement. There is little or no requirement for continuing education. What you do see in the public sector is those with a pride in the investigations seeking out additional knowledge and training on their own. It is only through their self motivation that they advance in their profession. These individuals should be commended for their quest to achieve a higher level of quality in their profession. In many cases, the departments limit the training of the investigators by limiting the number each year that can attend additional training. There is no requirement to obtain or maintain a specific level of knowledge or any certifications.

In the private sector, there are two requirements pushing the investigator to continue their training, these are licensing and the requirements of their employers to maintain specific certifications. Most licensing boards require a minimum of 8 hours of training a year. Both NAFI and the IAAI certification programs require additional education or training. These requirements have pushed the private investigation to maintain some minimal level of proficiency.

I wish I could tell you what you saw with that examination is the exception to the rule, but what I have found is that is fits a larger percentage of our profession than one would think.

Jim