Private detectives and investigators in the world

[Матушкин Андрей Николаевич]

Detective in the "XXI Century"

Detective in the XXI Century

Former policeman selling stolen goods

The Syktyvkar Federal Court found three residents of the capital of the republic guilty of selling stolen goods. Among the convicted was Vladimir Sokolov, the now notorious in certain circles. In the past, he was a police officer, he was considered a talented operative and predicted a brilliant career. V. Sokolov worked in the criminal investigation department of the police department of Syktyvkar, which specialized specifically in the disclosure of property crimes, and, accordingly, knew a lot about operations with stolen things.

An unpleasant story put a cross on the career of an operative, which brought a group of Syktyvkar policemen to the dock. Several years ago, three operas by the police department of Syktyvkar were accused of beating a suspect. Subsequently, police officers were acquitted of this episode, but the court found V. Sokolov guilty of abuse of power and rape. The verdict was passed in March 2002, and already in November, the former policeman was released on parole, having not spent 1 year and 5 months before the end of his sentence.

By the time of the next arrest in July 2005, V. Sokolov worked in one of the Syktyvkar companies as a client manager. But he spent a lot of time in the office of the private detective agency "XXI Century", which is headed by one of his two friends, who appeared in that very unpleasant story with an impact on the suspect. After the scandal, he left the police and engaged in a private investigation. By the way, the choice of this kind of activity for former police officers is not uncommon. During their service in the internal affairs bodies, they acquire the necessary communications and experience for the private investigator.

In the office of the detective agency V. Sokolov and received money for stolen property. And more precisely - for a MAZ car stolen from the parking lot of KomiAvtoZapchast LLC (MS, July 28, August 4, 2005).

Recall, the brand new MAZ, valued at 1 million 351 thousand rubles, was parked on the Sysolsky highway in the territory of the former Syktyvkar Mechanical Plant and was intended for sale. But on the night of July 1, 2005, the car disappeared from the parking lot in an unknown direction, but with a famous person driving. MAZ was hijacked by an employee of KomiAvtoZapchast LLC Pavel Kosnyrev.

P. Kosnyrev worked in a warehouse and did not have access to cars. But, using his official position, he made a duplicate of the keys to the MAZ. After work, the storekeeper scribbled tales to the guard, got behind the wheel of an expensive car and drove off - supposedly to aerate. The watchman suspected something was wrong after only a few hours. He called the director of the company Alexander Popov, but by that time the hijacker was already far away. So far that P. Kosnyrev, put on the federal wanted list, has still not been found. But the director of the LLC received news about the stolen MAZ a few days later - under very strange circumstances.

It is worth noting that for information about the disappeared car, a reward of 100 thousand rubles was announced. Only two people responded to the ads, but their information did not correspond to reality. And on July 9, V. Sokolov contacted A. Popov and suggested that he pay a ransom for the missing car - 15 thousand dollars. The next day, the former policeman came with the same offer to the office of KomiAvtoZapchast LLC.

A. Popov reacted to the stories of the persistent visitor with understandable suspicion, therefore, on July 13, the negotiator brought evidence of the stolen MAZ as the director of the LLC. The car was in a garage.

The next day, V. Sokolov again came to the office of KomiAvtoZapchast LLC to discuss the details of the “transaction”. A. Popov tried to bargain and bring down the price, but the “seller" did not yield a dollar. In the end, the director of the company agreed to pay the required amount (according to the current exchange rate at that time - 435 thousand rubles). The transfer of money was scheduled for July 19.

On that day V. Sokolov invited A. Popov to the meeting by telephone. Only there, a former policeman reported the time, place, order of transferring money and receiving a car. The principle was simple: first cash, then the return of MAZ. But this scheme did not suit the director of the company. Without reaching an agreement, the men decided to continue negotiations in the evening at the office of KomiAvtoZapchast LLC.

A few hours after a new long and unsuccessful conversation, V. Sokolov drove A. Popov to inspect the MAZ. In the area of house No. 10 on Industrialnaya Street, they were expected by Oleg Sokolov's friend Oleg Razmyslov. By the way, O. Razmyslov is also quite famous in Syktyvkar: in the past he was the director of popular entertainment venues, in the summer of 2005, he held the position of commercial director of LLC Construction Installation Company.

O. Razmyslov directly asked A. Popov if he had brought the required amount. The director of the company said that he had no money with him. In response, the source said that since the “client” has no cash, no one will show him the car. V. Sokolov suggested that A. Popov still go to the office for money - without them, they say, no meaningful conversation would come out. On that and dispersed.

A. Popov went to the office of KomiAvtoZapchast LLC, and V. Sokolov and O. Razmyslov went to the hostel of Syktyvkar State University, located on Kommunisticheskaya Street. There they were expected by a 4-year student of the Faculty of Physical Education, Alexander Mashkalev, who was directly involved in this matter. After the agreed signal, he was instructed to present “MAZ” to the person whom he would be shown.

In accordance with the new plan, the friend A. Popov was supposed to inspect the car, and the director of the company brought cash to the office of the 21st Century detective agency. V. Sokolov accepted the ransom. On the night of July 20, 2005, the company of "sellers" of stolen MAZ was detained by officers of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Kazakhstan. All negotiations on the return of the car were conducted under the supervision of Chekists, who developed a special operation to capture the attackers.

A few days after the arrest of three suspects in the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Kazakhstan, an unknown “well-wisher” called and said where the stolen MAZ was. Chekists found the car in the indicated place.

There are still many dark spots in this story. For example, it is not very clear how V. Sokolov, O. Razmyslov and A. Mashkalev found out where the hijacked MAZ was hidden. They themselves claimed that a certain businessman Mikhail Filippov informed them of the whereabouts of the car. He allegedly handed over the pictures of MAZ and told about the perpetrators of the theft, as well as that the abductors plan to sell the “iron horse” for 10 thousand dollars. Then, they say, the intention was ripened among friends and demanding money from the owner of the car for its return. M. Filipov explained that he had received MAZ photographs from some strangers.

At the hearing, V. Sokolov, O. Razmyslov and A. Mashkalev agreed with the charges against them and petitioned to hear the case in a special order - without examining the evidence collected. All three were found guilty of selling criminally obtained property. V. Sokolov received a sentence of imprisonment of one year and nine months. O. Razmyslov and A. Mashkalev received one year of conditional imprisonment.

Lyudmila Tsvetkova

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[частный детектив Курск]

The Kroll Detective Agency has come under investigation.

Detective agency Kroll fell under investigation in Russia.

Kroll, the world's largest corporate investigative detective, has itself been investigated in Russia. The State Duma and the country's Prosecutor General’s Office simultaneously launched an investigation into the activities of the American company, which now belongs to the insurance giant Marsh McLennan, allegedly because the company does not have a license to conduct detective activities in Russia, the British The Times reports. (Full text on InoPressa.ru.)

"We know about the investigation," said Kroll representatives, but declined to comment further.

According to sources, Kroll came to the attention of some members of the Russian political elite due to ties with Mikhail Fridman, the oligarch behind Alfa Group, a banking and telecommunications conglomerate. For almost two years, Alfa Group has been conducting a difficult lawsuit for owning a stake in MegaFon telecommunications company. Friedman, who claims Alpha owns his stake through IPOC's Bermuda Investment Fund, has been accused of illegally acquiring the stake. The process is not over yet.

Kroll was allegedly criticized after conducting a series of investigations into the Minister of Telecommunications on behalf of Friedman. “Most of the foreign corporate investigation firms operating in Moscow do not have a license because it is too difficult to obtain,” a former Kroll director told The Sunday Times.

Calling for an investigation into the activities of Kroll, whose office has existed in Moscow for more than 10 years, Nikolai Leonov, a State Duma deputy, reportedly remarked: “From the filing of big business structures such as Alfa Group that hire foreign detective firms for“ delicate errands "a dangerous tendency of persecution of Russian citizens is taking shape"

https://www.d-pils.lv/ [/ url]

 

[частный детектив Курск]

Private investigation and shadow economy in Latvia and abroad.

The penetration of “red roofs” into the private detective services market of Latvia objectively leads to the emergence of competitive relations with private investigators. At the same time, state-criminal parity is formed, in which civil servants become subjects of the shadow “power economy” and partners of offenders.

This article was prepared for the Round Table on the topic: “Shadow business in the Baltic countries: challenges and realities”, held on February 25, 2009 by the Baltic International Academy, the online magazine baltic-course.com and the Confederation of Employers of Latvia.


Private investigation. Who is who
Private investigation. Who is who

A search is a generalized name for operational investigative activity (ORD), counterintelligence activity (KRD), private detective activity (CSD), and political investigation.



Private detective (detective) activity consists in the provision of services to individuals and legal entities on a reimbursable contractual basis by the entities of this activity who have special permits (certificates, licenses) in order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of their customers. Private investigation is one of the types of entrepreneurial activity.



The subjects of private investigation are:



- individuals - private detectives (detectives);

- legal entities - private detective (detective) enterprises;

- services of internal (own) security, as a unit of a private enterprise.


Is there a law? - There is a law

Private detective work is regulated by the Law of the Republic of Latvia “On Detective Activity” adopted by the Seimas on July 5, 2001 and proclaimed by the President of the Republic of Latvia on July 20 of the same year.



The activities of the Internal Security Services are regulated by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania “On Security Activities” of May 11, 2006, a by-law of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Lithuania, which is called the “Procedure for the Registration of Internal Security Services” No. 1072 of December 28, 2006 and, in terms of the detective work referred to above, by the Law "On detective work."


Two in one

In a market economy, a public safety system consists of the following elements:



- state law enforcement agencies;

- private security structures;

- informal structures ("roofs").



Private detective work - private detective activity, which is carried out by its respective entities (for example, private investigators), refers to the activities of private security structures. Private investigation is thus an element of a public safety system.



On the other hand, a private investigation is an entrepreneurial (commercial) activity permitted by law, and its entities act as employees, individual merchants, or legal entities.



Therefore, a private investigation is the unity of two types of activity: private law enforcement and entrepreneurial, and a private investigator is the subject of 2 types of activity in one person.


Private Investigation - Honest Investigation?

In answering this question, it is necessary to take into account the “dualism” of private detective activity, on the one hand, law enforcement, and on the other, business.



There are about a hundred private detectives and detective companies in Latvia, more than a hundred internal (own) security services. Being officially registered in the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Commercial Register and acting in strict accordance with the Law of the Republic of Lithuania “On Detective Activities” and other regulatory legal acts, these subjects of private investigation - private entrepreneurial activity, can be counted as “honest detectives”, and activities figuratively to put it, it can be called

"An honest detective."



Is a shadow economy possible, the subjects of which are representatives of private investigation?



According to State Duma deputy Gennady Gudkov, “tens of thousands” of illegal detectives work in Russia. In other words, these people provide detective services without registration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, without having the licenses provided for by legislative acts. There is a “gray” (private investigative) shadow economy.



Only common sense is enough to suggest that in Latvia there is a “gray” economy, the subjects of which are private investigators. “Dishonest detectives” are recruited, in particular, from those employees of state law enforcement agencies who, in the conditions of the economic crisis, are dismissed from public service.



Internal (own) security services (SB) of commercial enterprises “play” according to the rules of the employer. If the employer is law-abiding, then the rules of the “game” of the Security Council are in accordance with the law. If the employer is a “shadow worker”, such is the SB.



As for the "black" shadow economy, the private investigation, represented, for example, in the form of the Security Council of criminal structures, of course, serves the interests of this sector of the shadow economy.


Shadow economy - an object of private investigation

The shadow economy can become an object for which private investigative activity is directed in three cases:



- firstly, “from the filing” of customers in need of private investigation services;

- secondly, when on a contractual basis with participants in the process (state law enforcement agencies), measures are taken regarding the shadow economy;

- thirdly, if in the process of private detective activity signs of the shadow economy are detected (for example, signs of organized criminal activity - the “black” shadow economy).



In the second part of Article 2 of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania “On Detective Activities”, among 8 types of listed detective services, paragraph 5 states: “clarification of facts of unfair competition, illegal commercial activity and other illegal economic activity”. Thus, the legal base of the private investigation to counteract the shadow economy is, and the shadow economy, as an object of attention of the private investigation, is defined.


In unity is power. And vice versa.

To implement the above services to counter the shadow economy, the following private investigative actions are legally allowed:



1. Oral questioning of citizens and officials (with their consent).

2. Inquiries.

3. The study of objects and documents (with the written consent of their owners).

4. External inspection of buildings, premises and other objects.

5. Surveillance (surveillance) to obtain the necessary information.



For comparison, the law permits the subjects of the state investigation - ORD (operative-search activity):



1. Interviews with individuals.

2. Inquiries.

3. Collection of samples for comparative studies.

4. Test purchase.

5. The study of objects and documents.

6. Observation.

7. Identification of personality.

8. Inspection of premises, buildings, structures, terrain and vehicles.

9. Control of mail, telegraph and other messages.

10. Listening to telephone conversations.

11. Removing information from technical communication channels.

12. Operational implementation.

13. Controlled delivery.

14. Operational experiment.



From the foregoing, obvious conclusions suggest themselves:



1. In order to effectively counteract the shadow economy, the private investigation and the state investigation (ARD) must constantly interact with each other and coordinate their work, making optimal use of the available opportunities.

2. In addition to the permitted private detective actions by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania “On Detective Activities”, by-laws are needed that would clearly regulate the procedure for implementing the said actions. For it is not enough to allow “making inquiries” when it is forbidden for private investigators to obtain such information, for example, in the Register of Residents of the Republic of Latvia.

3. The availability of wide opportunities for the subjects of the ARD, in the absence of proper control, creates the prerequisites for the emergence of all three types of shadow economy, the subjects of which may be employees of state law enforcement agencies:



- “white-collar” (leak of confidential information, unauthorized use of “closed” databases, etc.);

- “gray” (work for the client, police “protection”);

- “black” (merging with organized crime).



At the same time, private detectives can also act as service customers, which translates into the shadow, with the real prospect of criminal prosecution, of private detective activity.


Prospects for the development of private investigation in Latvia

In Latvia, it is necessary to improve the legal framework in order to expand the capabilities of private investigations, for example, access to information databases (Register of residents, criminal records).



In the absence of such, there is a real threat of corruption by state law enforcement agencies.



It is necessary to strengthen interaction and coordination with state law enforcement agencies (for example, within the framework of the created public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania).



It is important to optimally use the experience of foreign countries:



- collective security systems in the USA (in Latvia - Kaiminu drosiba - Neighborhood Safety);

- the adoption of certain functions of the ARD (Germany);

- improvement of PRS.



It should be noted the dangerous trends that manifest themselves in Latvian society:



- reanimation of criminal roofs;

- Strengthening and improving the “red roofs” (entities — state law enforcement agencies);

- further development of the “white-collar” power economy;

- latency of private investigation (leaving professionals in the "gray" shadow economy).


The shadow must know its place

The need to combat the shadow economy is recognized by all. There is a discrepancy in determining the goals and instruments of this struggle.



The goal - the complete elimination of the shadow economy - is obviously wrong. It is impossible to destroy the shadow economy. The goal is not to destroy, but to optimize its scale. It is necessary to restrain the shadow economy within the framework in which it does not destroy the economic system.



One of the tools to counteract the shadow economy is a private investigation, improving the capabilities of which in cooperation with the activities of state law enforcement agencies helps to achieve the above goal.


findings

1. Private investigation - a real element of the current public security system.

2. The shadow economy is a constant, mostly negative, factor in the operational environment, the fight against which, especially the “white-collar” and “black” ones, is one of the most important tasks of the law enforcement system.

3. A private investigation has a legal basis and opportunities to counter the shadow economy, but needs legal regulation of specific private investigations.

4. Private investigation, being one of the types of commercial activities, is vulnerable to the shadow economy.

5. Further improvement of the legal framework, the creative development of foreign experience, strengthening interaction and coordination with state law enforcement agencies are the main directions for enhancing the effectiveness of private investigations in containing the shadow economy.

6. The penetration into the market of private detective services of the subjects of the ARD - “red roofs”, objectively leads to the emergence of competitive relations with the subjects of private investigation, excluding interaction and coordination. At the same time, state-criminal parity is formed when government officials become subjects of the shadow “power economy” and partners of offenders.


From foreign experience: private investigation and state law enforcement against the shadow economy


USA

Currently, the United States is widely used to prevent and combat economic crime programs (read the shadow economy) in the interaction of state law enforcement agencies with private security agencies (security agencies and detective bureaus).



Private detective bureaus, as a rule, are referred to:

- theft of goods, documents;

- counterfeit credit cards, payment documents;

- bribery, financial fraud;

- computer crimes;

- thefts committed by company employees.



The reasons for refusing to help state law enforcement agencies are:

- insignificant extent and size of the caused damage;

- high costs of litigation.



In addition, the desire to maximize the confidentiality of commercial transactions also encourage more than 75% of American entrepreneurs to resort to private investigation services.



The ability to concentrate and store commercial information in private detective bureaus cannot but worry customers. In this regard, special agreements are concluded in which the procedures for the accumulation, storage, use and subsequent destruction of commercial, business and other information that can cover or disclose the financial, debt or other position of the client company are carefully stipulated.



Many firms create their own security services (PRS). The United States is characterized by participation in the creation of the PRS of state intelligence services, in particular the FBI and the CIA, which use specialized departments and commercial structures for their own purposes. Many U.S. concerns and corporations have special services in these departments. The posts of security officers have been introduced in firms and enterprises performing state orders.



Since the beginning of the 90s of the last century, a broad-based system of collective business security has been introduced in the United States, within the framework of which the State Department and more than 500 US corporations regularly exchange information on the most pressing issues of business threats. The eyes and ears of the system became, in particular, the representative offices of such companies as American Air, Procter & Gamble, Black of America, MacDonald's, IBM, etc., scattered around the world.




United Kingdom

A characteristic feature for the UK is the desire of entrepreneurs to minimize the undesirability of publicity, the slightest damage to the reputation of a company, bank, etc.



For this reason, cases of economic violations investigated by employees of their own security services, in most cases, remain beyond the reach of state law enforcement agencies.



UK search agencies are capable of performing specific tasks deemed illegal by state law enforcement agencies (for example, obtaining confidential information about competitors or other private enterprises).



On the whole, the range of issues addressed by private security agencies includes, first of all, investigation of computer offenses, security checks on office premises, and identification of special equipment and listening devices.


Germany

Private security structures created on the initiative and with the support of special services take on some of the operational-search activities, which is not typical for private detective organizations in the United States and Great Britain. Private investigators maintain regular contacts and exchange operational information with the police and counterintelligence agencies, in some cases even carrying out joint activities.


France

The recent trend in France is the rapid increase in the activities of their own security services in industrial-trading companies and financial institutions, especially in the field of combating computer crimes.



The demand for private detective services is growing on the part of individuals, managers and senior employees of commercial banks, insurance companies and law firms.



Among the activities of private detectives include:



- combating trademark abuse;

- identification of unfair competition;

- industrial espionage and counter espionage;

- security measures in the banking system.


Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark)

In these countries, detective offices are classified as private enterprises. At the same time, it is understood that their establishment, registration, financing, taxation, legal status and activities are regulated by the general norms of the current legislation.



There is a tendency to expand the functions of state and departmental special services - detective bureaus, to counteract industrial and commercial espionage.



In the Nordic countries, computer crimes and their prevention are also relevant.


https://www.baltic-course.com/ [/ url]

 

[Матушкин Андрей Николаевич]

Re: Private investigation and the shadow economy in Latvia and abroad.

Thank!

 

[Матушкин Андрей Николаевич]

Re: The detective agency Kroll fell under investigation.

Thank!

 

[Детективное агентство. Барс. Нижний Новгород.]

Re: Detective in the "XXI Century"

Thanks for the info! But working with Sokolov and, moreover, densely and often about him, I certainly did not know this! But as they say that from Sumy and prison do not renounce! But all the same, as I didn’t communicate with him, he was still a decent guy in relation to someone! But what happened so, well ??? Himself to blame! It works badly! Here is what I can say! All the same, though the former --- BUT OPER! And as the saying goes, "THE EXITS DO NOT HAPPEN!" But those who did not work as an opera ---------- AND IT SEEMS A DETECTIVE ---------------- spoils our whole picture! After which you have to clean up the dirt and the matter comes to the courts! So keep gentlemen in mind ---- CAN'T? DO NOT TAKE! OR DO AS POSSIBLE! At the same time - they judge everyone!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE LORD D E T E K T AND IN S !!!!

 

[Детективное агентство. Украина. Харьков. Львов.]

Detective agencies abroad

In recent years, the leading countries of the world in matters of law enforcement and security have increasingly focused not only on state special agencies, but also on private detective bureaus and security agencies involved in investigative and search activities, research on various aspects in the fight against offenses.


The private sector is becoming increasingly involved in law enforcement. This is due in some cases to the insufficient training of the special services and the police to solve some specific tasks at the proper professional level.
In the United States, registration of private detective and security firms falls under state jurisdiction. 35 states have laws specific to private detective bureaus.

The main condition for their activity is the registration and obtaining of licenses, which are issued by state executive authorities specially defined by law, or by its official representatives. At the same time, US citizenship is a mandatory requirement in 16 states. In 22 states of the USA for registration as a private security guard or a detective, a characterization, a letter of recommendation is required.
A license is usually issued for a period of 1 to 2 years. Under the Mackin's Law (New York State), private individuals can be engaged in both individual individuals and groups of individuals united in a bureau and firms. Previously, these persons must obtain permission to conduct investigative, security, patrol, detective activities in the apparatus of the governor of the state.

According to paragraph 72 of this law, a person who intends to engage in private investigations must submit to the state governor’s office a detailed questionnaire indicating: full installation data, place of residence for the last three years, previous and present place of work. Photographs and two sets of fingerprints must be attached to the questionnaire. It is necessary that at least one employee of the newly created detective (security) bureau have at least three years of work experience in police, investigative or similar bodies.

The questionnaires must contain information about the candidate’s past life and activity, health status, education documents, and reviews or recommendations from previous places of work are required. In states where this is permitted by law, candidates are tested using a lie detector. All firms carry out mandatory psychological testing of the candidate’s ability to work in difficult conditions.
Private security services are willing to hire former police officers, FBI and CIA officers who were fired without foreclosure, as well as former military personnel, especially those who served in intelligence, special forces, airborne troops, and marine corps.
The growing demand for private security personnel with specialized training has led some American colleges and universities to include courses on various security issues in their programs.

Private security guards, detectives, and investigators in the United States are not allowed to apply measures used by official law enforcement agencies, such as home searches, personal searches, and arrests. They, however, are allowed to detain persons suspected of having committed a crime for transfer to the police.
The activities of the private investigation bureau are evaluated according to the following parameters: the number of thefts detected committed by employees of a particular enterprise, company, institution; analysis of the attitude of employees to such crimes; number of solved crimes; the number of cases of suppression of criminal offenses.

It is characteristic that crimes such as arson, explosions, assaults, robberies, and hacking managers of firms and banks mainly inform the police. When, however, we are talking about so-called “economic crimes”, company leaders prefer not to contact state law enforcement agencies — the police or the prosecutor’s office.

In addition, a fairly significant part of entrepreneurs do not turn to the police, but to the services of private agencies, regarding the investigation of the following offenses: acts of vandalism, theft of goods and goods, bribery and fraud, counterfeiting of credit cards and insurance policies, thefts committed by company employees, computer crime, drug abuse.
The main reason for the refusal of companies to intervene with the police is the scale of the crimes committed, the insignificant amount of damage incurred, the lack of necessary evidence, the high cost of a trial, the length of the investigation, and the imperfection of the law. In some cases, the police are not informed in order to avoid publicity, the consequences of which could be more harmful than the crime itself.

In Canada, private detective bureaus are governed by special acts that are part of provincial law. Each province, based on local conditions, develops and adopts its own acts, which stipulate the conditions for the establishment and operation of private bureaus. The general and prerequisite for all acts is the procedure for registration and obtaining permission for private detective activity in the province.
The main areas of activity of private detective (security) agencies in Ontario (Canada) include: the protection of individual citizens with the help of bodyguards; protection of embassies and foreign missions; moving patrols; fight against petty theft in stores; conducting investigations; outdoor surveillance; fight against fraud; television and video surveillance; installation and maintenance of electronic alarm systems.
Private detective offices in Canada provide services to customers on a confidential basis.

In the UK, many private firms specializing in the production of alarm systems have been created. In addition, many of these firms are responsible for protecting the property of private industrial enterprises and maintaining law and order within the borders of their territory. In some cases, the formation of private companies closely cooperates with local and national police units, which bear the main responsibility for maintaining public order and observing the rule of law in the country.

In addition, in the UK there are currently a significant number of private detective agencies, the services of which are used by both individual citizens and industrial companies. The largest of these include: Argen, Kroll Associates Control Risks, Derby Associates-Security Consultants, Private and Commercial Investigations, Nationwide.
The country does not have any laws or government regulations requiring "mandatory registration of private detectives. Of the 2 thousand detectives, only 300 are registered as members of the Institute of Professional Investigators, located in Blackburn.
Currently, the government considers it necessary to introduce registration with a mandatory special check of detectives by the police. This is justified by the fact that a private detective who is not registered anywhere without any license can, at his own discretion, use a rather wide arsenal of operational equipment and forensic tools, the services of fingerprint experts, monitor any person, photograph him on the street, workplace, in other public places.
In recent years, in the UK, the range of criminal investigation issues solved by private agents primarily includes investigations into computer system crimes.
Among the most promising areas of work of private detective agencies include: ensuring the security of office and private premises; identification of listening devices; personal protection of clients, including foreign citizens.

In France, the activities of private detective bureaus are regulated by Law N 891 of September 28, 1942 with subsequent amendments. Former French police officers may become owners of private detective bureaus only with the written permission of the Minister of the Interior.
According to Law No. 80-1058 of December 23, 1980, any violation of the above provisions of Law No. 891 “is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 1 to 3 years and a fine of 6 to 40 thousand francs”. The head of the bureau is subject to the same penalty if he uses the services of private agents who do not meet the requirements of the law.

In the Federal Republic of Germany, a private detective bureau must be registered as an "institution engaged in craft (craft)," since it "pursues the goal of making money," and must comply with all laws and regulations regarding institutions of this kind. The founder does not require special education or relevant work experience. A prerequisite for the establishment of a bureau is the presence of a minimum capital of 50 thousand marks of Germany.
Private security services in the Federal Republic of Germany are divided into two groups: agencies involved in the provision of security services to firms and state institutions for facilities and persons subject to physical protection; factory protection units created by the firms and institutions themselves.
According to the Federal Law on Private Enterprises (paragraph 34a), the opening of a private security service requires special permission from the authorities, as well as contracting with a customer: department, enterprise, company. Permission may be refused if the private service does not provide the necessary security or does not have sufficient financial, technical, or other capabilities for this.
Specific criteria for “safety reliability” are set out in the relevant regulations and directives of individual land governments. Directives and instructions of the federal minister regulate issues of control over the activities of private security services, their equipping with weapons and special equipment, and their preservation of official and company secrets of protected enterprises.
The widespread involvement of private security services for guarding sensitive facilities, the increase in the number of factory guard units at enterprises and firms that are able to compete with the police force the Federal Ministry of the Interior to constantly deal with the issues of identifying and clarifying the tasks that they solve in order to prevent them from becoming uncontrolled " private police. ”

In Italy, the introduction in 1989 of a new code of criminal procedure almost legalized the activities of private detective bureaus, making them full participants in the trial, which can provide advice and assistance to the defense in collecting evidence in favor of the accused.
Despite this, private detectives themselves believe that their situation remains ambiguous, since so far there is no law in Italy regulating the activities of private detective bureaus (28 bills have already been rejected by the Italian parliament), so many detective bureaus in Italy operate without any sanctions and permissions. According to some estimates, their number reaches 5 thousand.
In the current economic conditions in Russia, there is sometimes an uncontrolled process of privatization of the security sphere: the creation of search and external security units, security departments of commercial activities, and internal security services. In general, this process is inherent in all countries with market economies and private entrepreneurship.
In the national security system abroad, these bodies carry out, as it were, the first line of the signaling system about the possible preparation of crimes and specific illegal activities. Having received this information, private security services, as a rule, transmit this information as a primary signal to the central law enforcement agencies.
Thus, the security system in the field of combating organized crime has several levels: the first is the protection by the security services and the protection of their own departmental and company secrets of state and private commercial structures; the second is the organization of operational development by federal intelligence agencies.
A similar situation has developed today in Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and other countries.
Summarizing, we note: abroad, there is a fairly clear distribution of responsibilities between central, departmental and private entrepreneurial structures in charge of counterintelligence matters and ensuring the safety of commercial activities.

Source - lavlinks.ru

 

[Матушкин Андрей Николаевич]

Re: Detective agencies abroad

Thank you, Sergey! Very informative.

 

[Витаутас. Частный детектив г. Вильнюс. Литва]

Private detectives and investigators in the world
The profession of a private detective is widespread and respected throughout the world. But even today, it is ignored, tolerated or prohibited in various state formations, depending on the degree of democratization of a particular country.

In dictatorships, the profession of a private investigator is usually prohibited or likened to an auxiliary police force.
The activities of such organizations are carried out by people related (and therefore communications) to government bodies or official services (former police officers, former members of intelligence services, etc.).

In Europe, the profession of private detectives is recognized by the European Community Directive of 1967, which guarantees freedom of enterprise in all EU member states. No country can prohibit or restrict the rights of a private entrepreneur without being convicted by the European Court of Justice.
The profession of a private detective (investigator) has strictly regulated frameworks and requirements in some European countries, such as Spain, France, Austria and Belgium.

In Belgium, detectives have a professional identity card, which they must present at the request of the authorities, customers or third parties: “In the process, a private detective must always have an identification card with him (...). He is obliged to present this card at the first request of a representative of law enforcement or special services, as well as a client ... "

In Spain, permission to engage in detective work is issued by the Ministry of the Interior. At the same time, there are clear requirements for persons wishing to engage in this type of activity:
1. The candidate must be an adult, physically and mentally healthy, possess certain knowledge to carry out this type of activity.
2. The candidate must pass an aptitude test.
3. Have an official diploma of a private detective.

The issuance of such a diploma is carried out after passing a special training course and achieving a certain level of knowledge and skills.
Source: Security Act No. 23/1992 of July 30, 1992 (“Ley de Seguridad privada”) and Royal Decree No. 2364/94, No. 2364/94 Settlement (regulation) of private security issues - “Reglamento de Seguridad Privada” - (“ règlement sur la sécurité privée »)

In Austria, to become a private detective, you must pass an official exam.

In Latvia, the profession of a detective is clearly regulated. The director of the agency must be a citizen of Latvia. Not convicted and not suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. He is required to have higher education in this specialty.

In the Duchy of Luxembourg, on the contrary, the profession of a private detective is not completely unregulated.
However, security companies are required to obtain permission from the Ministry of Justice (law of November 12, 2002 and a decree of the Grand Duke of August 22, 2003, on the activities of private security firms).
In a letter dated 10.23.2007 to the Federal Union of Investigators of Private Law, the Minister of Justice of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg confirms that “the profession of a detective is not regulated by Luxembourg law. To engage in detective activities, it is sufficient to have a commercial permit, according to the Law of December 28, 1988 "On Commercial Activities".

In Denmark, the law on detective work was repealed. Anyone can become a “private investigator”. The Danish Professional Private Detectives Association requires the restoration of the law and the restoration of the procedure for obtaining permission to engage in detective activities after passing the official exam.

Unlike Europe, in some African states, such as, for example, Mali (the first article of Law No. 96/202 of February 21, 1996 on the Protection), private detective work is prohibited. This profession is allowed in Burkina Faso, where it is under the patronage of the Minister of National Security and the Administration of the Territory. (Law No. 010/98 / of April 21, 1998, governing the conditions for State intervention and the distribution of spheres of influence).

Morocco does not yet have legislation regulating the activities of private detectives, but the first law (N 27-06) on security professions was ratified by His Majesty Mohammed VI (Dahir No. 1-07-155 19 kaada 1428 November 30, 2007) to control the activities protection and delivery of cash.
This text (rather close to French law No. 83-629 as amended on July 12, 1983) states that, regardless of their creditworthiness and qualifications, security agencies are forbidden to carry out any other activity than what they are allowed: as in France, they cannot combine their activities with the activities of a private detective.
Section 14 of this Law prohibits persons engaged in this activity from “interfering at any time and in any form in the course of labor disputes or events related to them. They are also prohibited from participating in the monitoring of persons belonging to political parties, philosophical and religious movements, as well as trade union leaders. ”

In the United States, private detective work is regulated by the laws of each State: in some States, you do not need any permission to engage in this type of activity (Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota), in others credit confirmation, experience in this field is required at least 3 years or 6,000 hours in the field of investigations, the availability of special education (criminal law, knowledge of justice, forensics, etc.), confirmed by a special diploma. This activity is monitored by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

There is a profession of a “legal investigator”, the certificate of the right to practice which is issued by N.A.YU.S. (NALI) - National Association of Legal Investigators (National Association of Legal Investigators 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-3118 - California).
“Legal Investigator” specializes in legal and judicial investigation: he must have good knowledge of law and jurisprudence.

In Switzerland, in some Cantons, control over detective activity was canceled, which seems paradoxical, since the consequences of this activity can be tangible (violation of privacy and the possibility of espionage).
But, in the canton of Geneva, the Council of State issues a professional ID card with a photograph, which a private detective can present upon request. (on the right is a professional private detective ID card issued by the Swiss authorities)

In Canada, the profession is regulated, and private investigators have professional ID cards (Section 6 of the Detective Act of September 1, 1974, as amended on June 22, 2006).

There was a training center for detectives - the “DETECH College of the Division of Investigators and Private Detectives of Quebec”, created on 10/14/1998, in Blenville (45, Notre Damm - QC - J7C1Z7), then, in 2002, it was moved to the suburbs of Montreal, but in June 2006 he ceased operations.

In 2005, the Canada Interpersonal Relations and Social Development Service accredited a special school (under N7009 / 11117): “CHECK-MATE Private Investigation School” (CHECK-MATE Private Investigation School), with legal address: 1, Mercier Square, Kandiak, QQ , J5R 4R5.

Canadian law requires a detective to have “universal” education and training:

- Diploma of secondary education. (required)
- University degree in law and security (may be required)
- Passing additional training (internship) in the course of work
- Experience as a police officer (may be required for security officers)
- Official identification of a private investigator.

Thus, “private investigators” and “private detectives” (in France they prefer the term “investigator”), hotel detectives and store detectives can be educated in:
1. Red River College of Continuing Education. It offers a security curriculum (Advanced Certificate).
2. At the Northwest Law Enforcement Academy. This private vocational training institution offers a law, defense and security curriculum (certificate).
3. At the Academy of Law Enforcement and Security Canada. This is a private vocational training institution that offers the following programs (certificates): law, security and protection, level III security agent, safety and loss prevention in retail trade.

The license of a private investigator is issued by the “Commission on Licensing of Private Detectives and Security Services”, appointed by the Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This license confirms that the person who will directly conduct detective activities or will manage the Agency has experience and training. According to the Commission, this is essential for the functioning of this institution. The same goes for company agents.

 

[@InfoPoisk]

Thank.