Private Investigator Curriculum Crosswalk

Module 8 – Self-Management Skills

Note:

The information provided below is not all-inclusive of the training content in Section 8. The crosswalk and task descriptions don’t reflect all the information and skills that will be taught in the Private Investigator Curriculum, nor do they reflect everything that may be tested by the ministry.

Learning Outcomes and Task Descriptions

Resource/Asset Protection

Conduct in-person surveillance of premises

Recordkeeping

Provide documentation on events and incidents

Prepare and maintain routine administrative records

Collect, verify, and communicate information

Obtain and determine type of assignment

Verify subject information

Surveillance

Conduct technical surveillance

Conduct live (“in-person”) surveillance

Prepare for undercover surveillance

Conduct undercover surveillance

Civil process

Execute civil process

Court Appearance

Prepare and deliver court testimony

Resource/Asset Protection

TASK: Conduct in-person surveillance of premises

DETAIL: Walk around job site (as necessary), looking/watching individual(s)/premises for cues/signs/behavioural patterns of criminal activity in the environment (e.g., poor lighting, excessive loitering, vandalism), testing alarm systems, writing notes/observations in notebook, and talking to dispatch/supervisor/police (as necessary)

Using: two-wary radio, computer, phone, pen, notebook, and camera

Drawing on: knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, knowledge of industry related equipment, and knowledge of company specific policies and procedures

Relying on: judgment and decision-making skills, observation skills/attention to detail

In order to: conduct in-person surveillance of premises

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Recordkeeping

TASK: Provide documentation on events and incidents

DETAIL: Record facts and observations in notebook, taking pictures/drawing diagrams (as necessary), retrieving report templates from file/computer, writing/typing up reports (e.g., incident, special occurrence), transferring/copying information (from notebook, audio/video monitors) to incident report/log book, sending copy of incidence report to supervisor/management, and verbally communicating incident information to co-worker/supervisor (as necessary)

Using: computer, email, notebook, pen, photocopier, camera, audio-visual equipment, and company report templates

Drawing on: knowledge of basic computer applications, and knowledge of company specific policies and procedures

Relying on: oral/written communication skills, observation skills/attention to detail, and judgment/decision-making skills

In order to: provide documentation on events and incidents

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Recordkeeping

TASK: Prepare and maintain routine administrative records

DETAIL: Retrieve administrative report (i.e., from computer/file), writing/typing report (e.g., time sheets, check list, weekly or monthly inspections), compiling/updating reports (e.g., case documents) (as necessary), conveying administrative report to supervisor/manager in-person/FAX/email/internal mail, and filing work documentation (e.g., filing cabinet, binder, computer)

Using: computer, company report templates, and general office equipment (e.g., FAX, computer)

Drawing on: knowledge of basic computer applications, knowledge of company specific policies and procedures, and knowledge of Provincial/Federal legislation

Relying on: oral/written communication skills

In order to: prepare and maintain routine administrative records

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Collect, Verify, and Communicate Information

TASK: Obtain and determine the type of assignment

DETAIL: Read/listen to assignment-related information from client/manager/supervisor (e.g., email, in-person, phone), asking questions (as necessary)

Using: computer and phone

Drawing on: knowledge of company specific policies and procedures, and knowledge of basic computer applications

Relying on observation skills/attention to detail, judgment/decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and oral/written communication skills

In order to: obtain and determine the type of assignment

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Collect, Verify, and Communicate Information

TASK: Verify subject information

DETAIL: Talk to/email contacts (as necessary), searching on internet/database, confirming assignment/additional information (e.g., address) (as necessary), and driving to assignment location (as necessary)

Using: database and computer

Drawing on: knowledge of research techniques, knowledge of company specific proprietary sources of information, knowledge of public/proprietary sources of information, and knowledge of basic computer applications

Relying on: oral/written communication skills, and time-management skills

In order to: verify subject information

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Surveillance

TASK: Conduct technical surveillance.

DETAIL: Call client, making an appointment to set up surveillance equipment, setting up/taking down equipment (e.g., motion sensor, camera), reviewing and documenting surveillance data via live-feed/disk/time-lapse video (as necessary), and sending video to client (as necessary)

Using: industry-related equipment, phone, and computer

Drawing on: knowledge of the Ontario Trespass to Property Act, knowledge of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Relying on: judgment/decision-making skills, oral/written communication skills, and flexibility/adaptability

In order to: conduct technical surveillance

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Surveillance

TASK: Conduct live (“in-person”) surveillance

DETAIL: Gather assignment-related equipment (e.g., camera, recorders, food, clothing, money, first aid), driving to site, looking for vantage points, waiting for subject to come into view, following subject, documenting subject activity (i.e., take picture(s), video tape, make notes) (as necessary), and asking the local authorities for help (as necessary)

Using: industry-related equipment, vehicle, phone, and computer

Drawing on: knowledge of camouflage principles, knowledge of case law, knowledge of Statute Law, and knowledge of PIPEDA

Relying on: observation skills/attention to detail, flexibility/adaptability, and oral/written communication skills

In order to: conduct live (“in-person”) surveillance

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Surveillance

TASK: Prepare for undercover surveillance

DETAIL: Talk to client (offsite), asking questions to clarify details of surveillance assignment, creating/writing false background/cover story and supplementary documents (e.g., résumé) (as necessary), and obtaining specialized certifications/skills required for assignment (e.g., point-of-sale computer systems, forklift operation) (as necessary)

Using: computer, notepad, pen, and assignment-related equipment

Drawing on: knowledge of company specific policies and procedures, knowledge of camouflage principles, knowledge of the Canada Evidence Act, knowledge of basic computer applications, and knowledge of public/proprietary sources of information

Relying on: observation skills/attention to detail, flexibility/adaptability, oral/written communication skills, and interpersonal skills

In order to: prepare for undercover surveillance

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Surveillance

TASK: Conduct undercover surveillance

DETAIL: Observe activities in surveillance location, watching for suspected behaviour (e.g., cheating, stealing), and documenting assignment details/activities on computer/notepad

Using: computer, notepad, pen, and assignment-related equipment

Drawing on: knowledge of camouflage principles, knowledge of the Canada Evidence Act, and knowledge of basic computer applications

Relying on: observation skills/attention to detail, flexibility/adaptability, oral/written communication skills, and interpersonal skills

In order to: conduct undercover surveillance

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Civil Process

TASK: Execute civil process

DETAIL: Pick up/receive legal document(s) (e.g., summons, statement of claim, statement of divorce) from lawyer, reading and photocopying document, delivering original document to the named individual(s), and obtaining signature (as necessary)

Using: case-related documentation and photocopier

Drawing on: knowledge of rules of Civil Procedure, knowledge of the Ontario Trespass to Property Act, and knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada

Relying on: oral/written communication skills, and interpersonal skills

In order to: execute civil process

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Court Appearance

TASK: Prepare and deliver court testimony

DETAIL: Receive notice of court date, reading/reviewing evidence of infraction (e.g., incidence reports, witness statements, notes, electronic evidence), printing/copying case-related evidence (e.g., photographs, video, physical items) (as necessary), talking with management/legal authority (e.g., detective, crown attorney, lawyer), and answering/asking questions (as necessary), walk/drive/ride to court location, waiting outside courtroom until called, answering questions from crown attorney/defence lawyer/judge (as necessary), and completing case-related paper-work (as necessary)

Using: Closed Circuit Television, Digital Video Recorder, photocopier, computer, camera, FAX, planner, case-related documents, and physical evidence, case-related documents, and vehicle

Drawing on: knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, and court protocol/procedures

Relying on: oral/written communication skills, observation/attention to detail, judgment/decision-making skills, and time management

In order to: prepare and deliver court testimony