NEWS – “without comment”
Regulating Private Investigators: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What Might
By John Withers CII, Priority International – 05 July 2025
At the recent private investigator association meeting in Belgrade (May 2025), a familiar topic surfaced once again—one that never seems to stray far from any serious industry discussion: regulation. Or, more accurately, the wildly inconsistent patchwork of it across Europe.
The core question is one I’ve heard many times before and still find myself grappling with: Does formal licensing really raise the bar for our profession, or can self-regulation do the job just as well?
A Border, A World Apart
This debate hits home for me, quite literally. Working on the island of Ireland, I cross an invisible line that divides two vastly different regulatory realities. In Northern Ireland, part of the UK, there is no licensing for private investigators at all. But step over into the Republic, and it’s a different world: licensing is mandatory, tightly structured, and enforceable.
So, which model works better? That’s where things get interesting.
The UK: A Free-for-All?
Let’s start with the UK. Here, private investigators operate in a kind of regulatory vacuum—no licence required, no standard qualifications. Apart from the need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office for data handling, it’s a wide-open field.
To fill the gap, various associations and groups have stepped in, some creating their own standards, codes of ethics, and training programmes. On paper, it sounds promising. In practice, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
These bodies do valuable work, no doubt about it. But with overlapping memberships, conflicting expectations, and rising costs, the system can feel more burdensome than beneficial. And the kicker? These standards are voluntary. Which means the worst actors in our profession—the unethical, the unscrupulous, the plain dishonest—can simply opt out. Or worse, Photoshop a badge onto their website and carry on.
Meanwhile, many genuinely skilled and ethical investigators operate without any association ties at all. Why? Because their work speaks for itself. Clients aren’t usually asking about badges; they’re looking for responsiveness, trust, and results.
Ireland: Structure With Strings
Now look at Ireland. In 2015, the government introduced licensing for agencies, and by 2022, individuals had to be licensed too. The Private Security Authority (PSA) runs the show, and while no system is perfect, it’s hard to deny that Ireland now has something the UK lacks: structure.
To get licensed under PSA42:2015, investigators must complete certified training, pass background checks, and stay on top of compliance. That includes insurance, contracts, data protection, and ongoing CPD. Audits are regular, and the PSA keeps a close eye on things.
But it’s not all sunshine and standards. One major challenge is the entry barrier. If you’re new to the profession without a background in law enforcement or security, it can be tough to get a foothold. It’s that classic chicken-and-egg situation: can’t get licensed without experience, can’t get experience without being licensed.
So, while Ireland’s model brings accountability and a clearer public image, it also risks narrowing the talent pipeline.
The Middle Isn’t Easy
What struck me most during the Belgrade discussions was the shared sense of contradiction. Investigators in unregulated jurisdictions often crave the clarity and legitimacy of a licensed system. But those under regulation? They’re just as quick to complain about red tape, inflexibility, and creeping bureaucracy.
That tells me the real challenge isn’t whether to regulate, but how to do it right.
Good regulation should raise standards, not raise walls. It should deter the bad actors without tying the hands of the good ones. And it should never become a tick-box exercise that’s more about optics than substance.
Associations: Still Relevant?
That brings me to professional associations. Despite their flaws, they still matter and offer real value if you engage with them:
- Setting Standards: Through codes of conduct and ethics panels, associations set a baseline for how members should operate. It’s not foolproof, but it helps.
- Education: The best associations constantly push learning—seminars, certifications, publications. In a field that evolves as fast as ours, that’s not optional; it’s essential.
- Community & Networking: For me, this is the biggest plus. Being part of a network means I can reach out to trusted peers anywhere in the world. That’s good for business, and great for learning.
- Credibility: Like it or not, clients do look at badges. They may not know what your association acronym stands for, but they know it’s better than nothing. Associations help us look credible, and sometimes that’s what gets the client in the door.
Sure, some people only join for the badge. But the badge still carries weight. And those who avoid associations altogether? In my experience, that group often includes the least professional operators.
Is there a UK Fix?
Despite everything, the UK remains unregulated. And while associations help, they can’t solve everything, especially when they’re competing instead of collaborating.
Here’s a thought: what if the industry created a National Register of Private Investigators?
Not a replacement for associations. Not a government-imposed scheme. Just a simple, central register supported by the associations and open to all who meet some basic standards.
It could include:
- Your name, business address, and contact details
- A standard ID card
- A searchable public directory by county
That’s it. No need to choose “one true association.” No blacklisting of those who choose not to join any. Just a neutral, industry-backed registry—a marker of transparency, not tribalism.
A Simpler Way Forward?
Personally, I value my association memberships hugely. They’ve helped me grow, stay sharp, and build credibility. But I don’t believe every investigator has to walk the same path. We need to avoid gatekeeping and instead offer pathways.
Ultimately, the solution doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to work. If we can agree on something simple and universal, maybe we can finally stop debating whether we need regulation and start focusing on how to be better at what we do.
Because in this business, complexity is part of the job. But our professional standards? They shouldn’t be harder than they need to be.
Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/regulating-private-investigators-what-works-doesnt-might-john-withers-4taje
Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)
www.WAPI.org