_468 x 60_20091202180659.jpg)
Arizona turns to private detectives
Private detectives, particularly in the US and in the UK, will often work with the police. This is because their training and experience is required in certain investigations. Private detectives who specialise in specific fields such as DNA, behavioural science or fingerprints can make a big difference in a case.
Arizona, in the US has taken this concept a little further. In the city of Mesa nine civilian private investigators are doing work usually carried out by uniformed officers. This includes processing crime scenes, fraud investigations, finding missing persons and other every day petty crime.
It is easy to see why at first the Mesa police officers were reluctant to hand over any responsibilities to a group of private detectives. However the effectiveness of the private detectives has won the support of the local law enforcement community.
Figures show that the private investigators handled 50% of all burglary calls and wrote 1 in 10 reports which freed up time for uniformed officers. Sadly the Mesa police department has had to go through budget cuts and the police have lost about 80 uniformed officers over the last five years.
The nine private detectives have carried out an immense amount of work for and with the Mesa police. The uniformed officers who were once highly sceptical have now come to realise that they investigators do an incredibly job and for about 30% less pay.
Private detectives are no replacement for the police. The police force in America and other countries around the world is a key institution which maintains law and order and protects civilians. A uniformed police officer represents the law and therefore they cannot be replaced.
Nevertheless it is encouraging to see that private detectives are able to help keep the peace by working closely with local law enforcement and building relationships and trust in communities.
