NCJ Number
173035
Journal
Security Management Volume: 41 Issue: 11 Dated: November 1997 Pages: 69-71
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines the roles of in-house and contract investigative services in meeting management needs.
Abstract
Pacific Gas and Electric Company handles investigations in-house because management considers it logical to assign cases to the people who know the business and understand the issues. However, the company may need to hire outside investigators to help work on cases at distant affiliate locations; it may be advantageous to hire an agency familiar with the local police and business community. Logistics is just one of the issues to be considered when security managers weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing investigative services. Turnaround time, cost, flexibility, expertise and confidentiality are also important factors. Due diligence investigations are heavily weighted toward in-house solutions, but other investigations are about evenly divided between outsource and in-house solutions. A company considering selecting an outside investigator or consultant should investigate the following: credentials, including comments from previous clients and observations from the company's legal department; record search; experience and level of staff expertise; documentation; references; and available services.