I'm interested in learning more about this business

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I'm a 19 y/o high school graduate, currently taking courses at University and majoring in Psychology. I have a strong interest in Criminal Justice, and have been browsing the industry in an effort to find a private sector worth working in, and fugitive recovery seemed the most down my alley on paper.

I wrestled all the way through high school, won State twice, and am an amateur MMA fighter of some success, so I consider myself fairly versed in the workings of the human body in times of conflict, and am confident in my ability to take and subdue the average fully grown male with little risk. I carry a concealed firearm, and practice with it monthly, but do not consider myself to be at all to be a fluent marksman. I've never done any PI work, nor have I ever worked in the industry.

Where does someone such as myself start? My physical condition is peak, but I don't know where to begin training or even researcing to find out if this is for me. I understand from the FAQ on this site that there are several academies that specialize in fugitive recovery, but I'd prefer to speak to a few of the professionals and veterans before diving any further. Do any of you have experiences you wouldn't mind sharing, or perhaps a typical day in the life of a fugitive recovery agent? Where did you get started? How much can you look to make in a month's time?

Thanks in advance, and I'll be checking this thread regularly to hopefully correspond with some of you.

Welcome to the group. Thank you for writing a well composed and articulated post. I also appreciate the fact you conducted some research before posting.

I would encourage you to use the search function of this site though to find the answers to some of your more general questions, esp. about getting started. Not that we are lazy, just that we have answered that question soooo many times.

I do have a question though, how did you obtain a ccw at age 19 ? Most state's the age is universally 21 for a ccw for a pistol. I know at age 18 you can purchase longarms; But you did not clearly state 1 way or the other what your ccw is for, thus my question.

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

Let me preface this by stating that I'm by no means a criminal (well...maybe technically...but not scum).

I carry a concealed weapon. I'm 19. Licenses require an age of 21.

I work, live, and go to school in New Orleans. I walk through dark parking lots involuntarily, and work as a bouncer on weekends, often ejecting the kind of people that can and will wait outside for closing time. I carry because I feel I'd be a fool not to, and I'd prefer a record to a bullet. I've spoken to a few officers off the record about it, and they agreed with me.

Now that that ugliness is out of the way, the purpose of including that bit of information was to paint a more descriptive picture of myself to assist anyone looking to profile me. I've shot my weapon several hundred, if not thousand times at the range, but have never drawn it outside.

I tried the search function, and though it came up with a few posts that were of interest nothing really gave specific information on expected earnings, conditions for starting fugitive recovery work, methods of gathering information, etc. I understand that some of this information may be "trade secrets" that those in the know would be loathe to share, and respect that, but am hoping for any and all information that the professionals feel they can share without hindering their business.

I'm still browsing the site via search, and will post in this thread on any information I'd like a second opinion on or if specific questions I've asked are answered in other threads and can be disregarded, but enjoy the luxury of putting up this post in the meantime.

Thanks for the reply, and hopefully this answers why this post exists and why I carry illegally.

Review this thread:

http://www.fugitiverecovery.com/forum/v ... php?t=5494

There are many sub-discussions within a thread. Part of a skilled investigator's job is knowing how to research something. It would do you no good if we simply handed everything to you on a silver platter.

1 trait this job demands is patience. If you are of the "I want it now !" generation, then this profession may not be for you. We, as investigators, spend countless of man hours sifting through all kinds of information looking for the 1 trail leading us to our fugitive.

Sometimes it comes from the most unsuspected sources and directions. Quickly, I was at a dead end on a case once. So I went back to the beginning. Re-interviewed everyone in my contact list. One lady at his previous employer's job made a simple, little side comment...oh, well he is involved in our church and he does some work for our pastor...Duhhh!..I about lost my temper with her....I did ask her why she didn't tell me that several weeks ago when I first interviewed her...Anyway, I called the pastor, and he told me where the fugitive was...my partner and I apprehended him within 20 minutes of that 2nd interview.

Nowhere on his bond app. did it list the church he was a member of. It's little details like this that can make or break a case.

So learn how to research, learn how to interview...it truly is an art form. You have to be able to solicit information from people without them relaizing that you are interrogating them.

1 of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a retired Fed. Intelligence Officer 20 yrs ago....find a common ground that you can speak to the person about..pay attention to what is in thier home or yard....are they shade tree mechanics ? Avid Fisherman ? Baseball card collector's ? Antique collector's ? Ham radio operators ? etc....Especially pay attention to family photographs. There may be a vacation home shown you know nothing about..a hunting lodge, campground, beach house, etc...

Most people look....few actually "see"; Most people can hear...fewer still actually "listen".

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

Listen to Ruffin and he will not stir you wrong.
And Ruffin . . . when the hell did you change your sig

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Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Thank you very much for the thoughtful reply and valuable advice. I'm up to page 13 of my "new to the business" search looking at every relevant thread, but it seems about 90% of the replies are telling the poster to use the search function .

I reviewed the thread you linked prior to my original post, and while it pertained to me in some manners it touched on a different monetary and familial situation than my own. I feel that as a young, inexperienced man I'm a bit unique on this forum that is seemingly full of "grizzled veterans" if you will. Most of the conversations within threads seem to be between well known colleagues, so I presume that most of the regular posters here trust or have previously worked with the other regs.

I'm currently in the process of researching the requirements for an FRLicense in LA. I think my background is as solid as it can be without being experienced in the industry, and I can't quite tell if starting out at my age is a positive or negative. Your input on investigation and observation is very much appreciated. Is the information necessary to discover the contact information and former/current residency of the jumper available upon request with a license, or is this information aquired from other sources? I'm honestly 100% in the dark on the operations that take place prior to and during an apprehension, so I'm grasping at tidbits of information as I get it and trying to piece it together.

Then I strongly reccommend you to some BEA courses. They will give you the foundation for your skill set to begin in this industry.

There is a thread somewhere on here (I know, because I wrote it) entitled "Entering the trade" sort of a BEA 101 guideline for newbies. That may help you as well.

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

LuVonda's correct: "I wont stir anyone wrong"...lol

Sig line: I got tired of reading all of it.... Just decided sometimes "Less is more"...besides all of you know my credentials by now as it is...no need to try to impress anyone anymore.

Just tired of all of the bs and drama..trying to move fwd..happily...

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

Thanks for the direction to that post. It offered a bit more information than I had prior to reading it, and good advice on apprenticing with a veteran. How would you, as an experienced agent, respond to a completely green but physically well youngster calling and asking for information and/or assistance in getting his feet wet? I know you're not neccessarily indicative of the industry, but I have very little experience with BEAs regardless, and am wondering what the industry norm is for those of my profile.

I handle things a bit differently than most..so I suggest you poll others on here for thier opinion as well. But since you asked respectfully I will answer it....AGAIN.

1) DO NOT CALL THEM. Instead go see them in person. Dress professionally. Not neccesarily a suit and tie..but at least a nice pair of dress slacks, polo or button down shirt, dress shoes.

2) Prepare a complete resume...only a 1 pager. Anything more than that is only a waste of time. Keep it simple, no nonsense, and easy to read. Use traditional white or ivory resume paper...anything else gets tossed away.

3) Print up some business cards.

4) Rehearse the questions a prospective BEA/Bondsperson will ask:

Why do you want to do this ? Can you and are you willing to travel at a moments notice anywhere ? Tell me about prior investigative experience you have ? Convince me why I should use you instead of good ol reliable Joe Shmoe ? etc.

5) Sit up straight. Do not slouch. Somewhere between 85-90% of all human communication is non verbal. An experienced investigator will know how you are feeling before you do based on your body signals.

6) Speak clearly and confidently. Definitive yes or no answers. Typically, in this kind of situation, less is more. Do not interrupt anyone when they are speaking. I can't tell you how many times I have had people in front of me and I'll be right in the middle of a question or statement, and they rudely interrupt with a question of thier own.

Stay away from the fact that you carry a weapon illegally...THAT IS A HUGE RED FLAG ! It indicates a willingness on your part to knowingly and deliberately break the law. If you will do that on your own, then what else might you do while with me or representing me ? I don't need the liability.

7) Read all of your state statutes. Know your codes front and backwards.

8 Do your research on licensing requirements...if any. Already be aware of course dates, fees, and graduation dates. If a license is required, then I can't use you until you are certified. So my question to you would be, when will you be certified ?

Bail bondspersons/BEA's/Pi's are always looking for fit, athletic individuals to compliment thier teams; However, the physical aspect of our job, for most of us, is probably in the 10-15% if even that high. What most of us are looking for are intelligent, obedient, educated, professional investigators that understand the concept of what we are really about....which is saving our client's money via bond exonerations....this doesn't always mean catching and surrendering a fugitive back to the local jail. There are other methods of bond exoneration.

I can find muscle bound, steroid pill chewing, street fighter's all day long...but they are like police canines..if they don't get to "bite" or in thier case beat up someone they go nuts. Again, this is not what this business is about...kicking doors and butts and abusing someone's civil rights.

Like everything else, it's simply about money.

Now, I have just given you several hundred dollar's worth of BEA education for free. Anything else you may wish to know is on here..somewhere...but it is here.

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601