Message from Tony Smith – Chairman

I am again honoured to retain the Chair of the Association for the forthcoming year and I thank my Governing Council for their sterling efforts throughout this past year, in particular Emma who now stands down as General Secretary.

It is apparent that Licensing of the profession of Private Investigators in the UK is not going to happen anytime soon, certainly not in this Parliament and unlikely in the one that follows. In its absence it is imperative now, possibly more than ever, that we in this profession take responsibility for ourselves as professionals. Self-regulation of PI’s, a phrase often heard, has been discussed now for as long as I can remember but has never truly gotten off the ground due to a myriad of issues which I won’t go into here.

However, 2023 saw a major step towards raising the standard of the profession, in my opinion, in the formulation and adoption of a joint Code of Ethics between The World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI), The Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI) and the United Kingdom Private Investigators Network (UKPIN). The signatories to this joint Code of Ethics ensure that the respective members of those Associations abide by the Code which goes a long way towards the reassurance and protection of their Clients. The Code is also open to any and all Private Investigators, irrespective of any Association membership, wishing to adopt this standard of practice. Copies of the Code have been lodged with The Office of the Information Commissioner and The Home Office. This could not have been possible without the cooperation of those wishing to further the Profession and raise its profile.

I will undertake to do my best to ensure that WAPI will continue to strive to represent its members wherever and whenever possible for this forthcoming year.

Tony Smith
October 2023