I've responded to dozens of reports of suspicious persons and/or vehicles involving private investigators. The veteran agencies would usually notify the authority/police of the jurisdiction within which they would be conducting their investigations, including specific names and/or addresses. This would help them in instances where the subject who is being watched, might report a suspicious person in anticipation of possible private investgators. The inexperienced ones would end up in front of a police cruiser's
flashing and
take-down lights, illuminated for all to see.
I would usually end my conversation with the latter by saying: "
Sorry if I blew your cover, but it might help in the future if you notify us of your intentions beforehand." Of course, they had to provide proper identification (
OL, Reg, Ins., Proof of employment at the stated agency, etc.).
