#108: Disagreeing With Other Private Investigators

I see private investigators (generally speaking) as Alphas;  they think for themselves and they are vigilant when it comes to policing the private investigation industry.  In more cases than not they work alone and have to rely on themselves to get the job done.  We also have different philosophies on how files should be worked (legally of course).

There are going to be those times when private investigators just don’t agree with each other.  I have many friends in the industry that I have disagreed with many times over the past 11 or so years on many things, from how to work a file to what is appropriate conduct during specific situations.  I am the type of guy that speaks frankly and I am very straightforward.   And despite the fact that we disagree doesn’t mean that I stop talking to these investigator.  I still discuss situations with them and I still pick their brains on different things.  We continue to exchange ideas regardless of our disagreements.

Now there are times where these disagreements happen between investigators or just readers that I don’t know.  Some are just readers of the blog or they watch the videos and are not investigators at all.  Some bring very valid arguments against a position that I have taken or a statement that I have made in the blog or a video.

I remember (and you can likely find this in the comments in the video about drones) a time where a reader disagreed with my statement where I basically said that there is a bit of fear mongering when connecting private investigators to using drones.  I basically said that it is not practical for surveillance purposes.

The conversation went something like this:

Video Watcher- Sorry to bust your bubble but the drone issue of violating privacy is NOT fear mongering, you assume that people in the P.I. business will use common sense or not violate privacy because an issue as this is in it’s infancy in law books( I wouldn’t want to be the one to set a precedent).Anyways, ya using drones for looking in people’s bedroom windows is a violation of one’s rights…….but I have heard stories of people doing that or worse just for footage.

Andrew’s Response – It is fear mongering because it is not practical…Period…to use drones for surveillance.  So unless you have conducted surveillance for the past 12 years like I have let’s not act as though you are on this side of the fence. Remote helicopters have been used for years and no one said anything.  It was only when we called quadcopters “drones” that people started freaking out.  Then they wanted to associate “drones” with private investigators which I found to be silly.   And it is even more silly for a private investigator to attempt to use quadcopters for surveillance.  The story I reference in this podcast is that of a private investigator looking for news coverage because there is no way they actually used a drone.   Are people using quadcopters and invading privacy..Sure.  But let’s not associate it directly with private investigators.  And if you reference “stories” about drones doing worse things then maybe you should share your source as I shared my source.

Video Watcher – ugh smh. I’ll just agree to disagree. On different note, I have learned not to toss years of exp. as if I was smarter or knew more, I had a person I did that to make me look really silly….”they basically said and proved they forgot more than I knew” Ya that made me not open my mouth so quickly to someone I didn’t know…..  🙂 That was over 25 yrs ago…you do the math….Anyways have a good day..drive safe  keep the videos coming. p.s. watch out 4 the drones..lol

Andrew – I understand what you saying about tossing numbers around but really….I would never use a drone at this point in technology and at this point with the laws in place.  And my 12 years does count for something as I do this job everyday.  And it isn’t practical.  I just had a conversation with a friend of mine who has been in the industry just as long as I have who recently purchased a $1,000 drone.  He gave an example of a possible time to use the drone and I gave him 10 reasons why it was a bad idea.  And remember something with video documentation…It is used to prove things and if it is used in an illegal manner then the footage would likely be pointless…regardless of what it is.  Agree to disagree.

Video Watcher–  I agree 1000% w/ you. Gotta be careful with drones definitely a open view violation. Simple rule is if you cant see it on your own w/o assistance, don’t do it.

The video watcher and I were not going to shift positions yet we ended this discussion on good terms.  And I was glad to have that discussion if for any reason to let anyone know that I do read the comments and do respond.

So I wrote an article about a private investigator that was suing a hotel

Several months ago I wrote an article about a private investigator that made some choices during a surveillance that I would not have made and he got caught and detained by the hotel.  He was detained until the police arrived and then he was let go.  Now he is basically suing the hotel for holding him against his will.  During that article discussing Saul Roth’s situation I focused more on the Facebook comments because it reflected a lot more bad decisions and advice from individuals identifying themselves as private investigators.

Mr. Roth found the article and commented on it and I was happy that he was willing to comment on my article.  And after he commented I responded and we had a conversation about his situation at the hotel.  I disagreed with his thoughts on the matter and naturally he disagreed with mine.

And during that back and forth I believe that Mr. Roth mixed our difference in opinions with thinking I had something against him.  And that was not the case at all.  And I made that clear in my final responses to him.

Being against licensing in Colorado

Before licensing was mandatory in Colorado I actually wrote how I was against it.  Not because I am against licensing but because I was/am against some of the special conditions placed in the licensing process.  And I was trying to help stick up for the new private investigator.  I was really disappointed when it did pass with conditions that made it potientally harder for private investigators to get a good start in the industry.

Final Thoughts

Disagreeing and having differences in opinions is natural and should be encouraged in this industry even when it is the hard thing to do.  Seeds are planted in every conversation you have.  And though the person you are disagreeing with may not see or agree with your perspective at that moment, there are other moments and other future conversations that will add on to the one you had with that person.  That may influence them a little more away from their original position.  And it might happen to you as well.

There has actually been studies conducted that show how disagreeing and fighting for ideas is a good thing and it makes companies better by producing better ideas.

So if we ever disagree on an issue don’t take it personal.  And I will be sure not to take it personal either.  Ideas and perspective that are shared spread a light on things that someone may not have considered and that is a good thing.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments in the future and possibly disagreeing with them. 😉