Updates from the November 16, 2010 Board meeting
The LSBPIE is determined to take a very pro active and serious role in the situations involving unlicensed private investigators and licensed private investigators that violate state law and the rules and regulations of the board. We are going to designate a legal fund in the office to be used to investigate and prosecute these offenders. The board is also in the process of soliciting private investigators to assist the board in these investigations. If you or someone you know may be interested in conducting contract work for the board, please submit a resume to the board office or contact the board member that represents your district. We will work off of a list of investigators across the state and will set up training and informational meetings at a future date. This is an issue that affects all licensed private investigators in the state and the board wants make a concerted effort to curve these activities.
LSBPIE has two new areas of interest for the private investigators licensed in Louisiana.
(1) Legislative Update - 2010 Regular Session
The LSBPIE filed HB 57 which was sponsored by Rep. Mike Danahay from Lake Charles. This bill doubles the fine up to $10,000 anyone convicted of working as a private investigator in Louisiana without a valid Louisiana license. The board is also working with the Louisiana Attorney General's Office to file civil injunctions against anyone working as a private investigator in Louisiana without a valid license.
This has been an ongoing problem in this state for a number of years and the board is determined to take whatever action necessary to help eliminate unlicensed investigators. If you have any information on individuals working as private investigators in the state, we are asking that you report such activity tothe board office.
(2) Journeyman's License
The LSBPIE Office started accepting applications for the new Journeyman's license on June 1st, 2010. As of August 1st, 2010, there have only been a handful of licenses issued. There have been some misconceptions about the license and not everyone who applies for the new license is aware of its restrictions. There is a "special" section on our website that addresses the use/application of the
license. Please refer to the website and if you have any further questions concerning the license, please call the LSBPIE Office.
One of the misconceptions is the authority of the Journeyman license.
(a) This is NOT an Agency license! You must work for a currently licensed Agency.
(b) You are not allowed to solicit clients and refer to an Agency.
(c) It is recommended that all Journeyman license holders keep precise records on their work history. The board office plans to audit the records of Journeyman license holders and the Agency the JM is contracted with to perform private investigative work.
The LSBPIE is designed to work with Private Investigators licensed in the state of Louisiana. It is a regulatory agency and works with the public to protect them from an investigator(s) who might not conduct themselves in a professional manner or violates the rules and regulations and/or the laws of the state of The Louisiana that pertain to private investigators.
The LSBPIE encourages both Private Investigators and the public to contact the board office for any assistance you may require. You can email our office at info@lsbpie.com or englade@lsbpie.com. Our office number is 225-763-3556 or toll free at 800-299-9696
September Board Meeting News
At the September 2010 board meeting there were several issues that were interesting to the private investigators in Louisiana.
(1) Training- Continuing Education and 40 hour Course
The board and especially Maria Dugas have worked for months now to improve and
establish guidelines for continuing education and the 40 hour course. It is the intention of
the board to improve the criteria of the classes and to focus on "Professionalism and
Ethics".
(2) Journeyman license
The board started accepting applications for the Journeyman license in June 2010. At this
point there are less than 20 people that have been approved for the license. As with any
new issue we knew there were going to be problems or questions that arose from the new
license. Two separate boards were involved in the process of establishing the license and
the rules that govern the license. The Louisiana Legislature, under law, gave the board
the authority to promulgate a rule to establish the guidelines and responsibilities of the
license. Since the board began the process oflicensing these Journeyman there have been
questions about their roles and job descriptions. The board office is in the process of
collecting data and issues that affect these license holders. The board office has also
conducted audits of these license holders and the Agencies who have employed them.
The board will continue to track these licenses to ensure that both the license holder and
the agencies are following the rules and regulations that govern them. We are also
soliciting any questions or issues that any license holders may have regarding these
licenses and will attempt to address them at the November board meeting. Please email or
send any questions or comments you may have to my email address englade@lsbpie.com
or the board email address info@lsbpie.com.
Pat Englade
Executive Director LSBPIE
