RL 30.02 (12)(a) "Private Detective" means:
1. A person who acts as, advertises or otherwise represents that the person is a detective, private investigator, or special investigator.
   
   
2. A person engaged for compensation or other consideration on behalf of another, in investigating or otherwise obtaining or furnishing relating to any of the following:
   
   
   1. Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States, any state or territory, or any political subdivision thereof.
      
      
   2. The identity, conduct, business, honesty, activities, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation or character of any person, if such in formation is obtained in secret, without the knowledge of the person being observed.
      
      
   3. The location disposition or recovery of lost or stolen property.
      
      
   4. The cause or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, accidents, damage, injury or death.
      
      
   5. Securing evidence to be used before any court, public board, officer or investigating committee.
   
   
   
3. A person who acts as a private security person and does not wear a uniform, including one who provides personal protection of individuals from bodily harm or death.

RL 31.01 "Private Detective Agency" means:
1. Advertising, solicitating or engaging in the business of a private detective agency.
   
   
2. Acting as a private detective, private investigator, investigator or private security person.
   
   
3. Acts as a supplier of private security personnel.
   
   
4. Soliciting business or performing any other type of service or investigation as a private detective or private security person.
   
   
5. Receiving any fees or compensation for acting as a private detective, private investigator or private security person.
   
   

RL 30.02 (13)(a) "Private Security Person" means:
Any private police, guard or any person who stands watch for security purposes.

Note: All private detectives, private investigators, private security persons and detective agencies are required to be licensed and insured. Some private detectives may carry a firearm or other dangerous weapons if authorized and qualified to use such weapons.

Summary: Private detectives undertake investigations usually for a private citizen or other entity not involved with a government or police organization, however, at times a private detective may be contracted through a government agency or police organization for special services or assignments.

Private Detectives (Private Investigators) often work for attorney's in civil and/or criminal cases on behalf of the defense or prosecution. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims. Private detectives undertake a large variety of work that is not usually associated with the industry in the minds of the public. For example, many private detectives review police reports, interview witnesses and victims, personal delivery of summons and subpoenas, trial preparation, evidence collection, tracing of missing persons and absconding debtors, surveillance, along with personal protection and body guard services.

Private Police: Private Detectives have also been referred to as "private police". One needs to understand the difference between Private Police and Public Police. It is important to consider commonalities and interdependencies, as well as differences. There is interstitial areas where public and private police and functionally or organizationally linked or even merge. Even when this is not the case, there is some convergence in behavior as a result of the movement of public police to the private sector and the carrying out of equivalent tasks using similar means.

Working Condition: Private Detectives and Investigators often work irregular hours because of the need to conduct surveillance and contract people who are not available during normal working hours. Many detectives spend time away from their office conducting interviews, doing research and doing surveillance. However, detectives can also spend most of their day in the office conducting computer searches, making phone calls and preparing reports. Some of the work involves confrontation so the job can be stressful and dangerous.

Qualifications: Many private detectives have a college degrees and/or have taken legal or criminal investigation courses. Private detectives and investigators typically have experience in law enforcement, military, federal intelligence, investigative positions, working for insurance/collection companies or the private security industry. Private detectives are usually state licensed, required to successfully pass an exam and require education and training in police science or criminal justice along with passing criminal history checks.