Principal responds to article in
The Observer newspaper
Principal, Nicola Amsel has written to the editor of The Observer newspaper in response to an article that appeared in the 13 January edition. Click here to read The Observer article.
Dear Sir
Observer, 13th January, 2008
Gumshoes angry after Whitehall steps on their toes.
The article appears to rehash arguments previously rehearsed by the same complainants in an article published in the Financial Times of the 22nd October, 2007
The vociferous eloquence of a minority of companies appears to be an attempt to seduce the reader into believing that this minority is somehow an elite, superior in their investigative activities to the vast majority of private investigators.
One of the important purposes of licensing is to reassure both private and corporate Clients that the investigator has achieved a tangible level of training and competence.
The introduction of licensing in the United Kingdom is not unique. Most, if not all, the states within the United States have some form of licensing. Whilst licensing is not currently universal in the European Union, a number of member countries have adopted a licensing procedure.
The Security Industry Authority has, over the last six years, consulted widely throughout the private investigation sector. The Home Office ultimately published the Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment paper in August 2007 upon which interested parties were invited to comment during the consultation period which ended on 24th October, 2007.
The Institute of Professional Investigators, representing some 350 members, has always supported the licensing process and has responded to the RIA paper by recommending adoption of the most stringent option.
Yours faithfully,
Nicola Amsel
Principal
The Institute of Professional Investigators
Principal Gives BBC Interview
24 October 2007: IPI Principal, Nicola Amsel has been interviewed about the role of the Professional Investigator on Radio 5 live.
Click here to download the mp3 clip of the interview
2007 AGM
I am delighted to report that the Annual General Meeting held at the Victory Services Club in London on 12th October, 2007 was a great success. Over 50 members participated this year: an excellent turn-out. The presentations by a representative of Factiva and The Information Commissioners Office were well received and both were followed by lively question and answer sessions.
Licensing was the hot topic of the day and I am sure that the presence of Baroness Ruth Henig, CBE, DL, Chair of the Security Industry Authority (pictured above on the left) was a key element in these discussions.
The Home Office is anticipated to reach their final decision on the choice of option for Licensing by the end of this year. In the meantime, a more detailed report of the AGM (with more photographs) will be featured in the forthcoming issue of the on-line Professional Investigator magazine, available shortly, exclusively to members.
My thanks to all those who participated in the AGM this year and I look forward to seeing more of you next year!
Nicola Amsel
Principal
Licensing
The Institute of Professional Investigators Response to the Regulatory Impact Assessment Paper (“RIA”)
The RIA, published by the Home Office, set out the options for Licensing of Private Investigators.
The Board of Governors of the Institute recommends the adoption of Option 4 – “Licensing with Competence Criteria”.
The Forum
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