COMMENTS AND DECISIONS FROM THE PI COMMISSION

Chip Cope and Carl Watson attended the PI Commission meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2002 in Nashville. Carl Watson reported to the Commission that TAI was going through a number of changes. He did not go into details. He reported that he had been elected State Chairman, Richard Higgins of Jackson is Vice-Chairman and Chip Cope is Secretary-Treasurer. Watson assured the Commission of TAI’s interest in the workings of the Commission and promised to have TAI represented at all future Commission meetings.

A new policy was approved by the Commission relative to renewal of PI licenses. The staff advised that many renewals were being held up for months due to the failure of PIs to send in all the pertinent information in a timely manner. Effective at once the time frame will be 60 days and no longer. Any PI who has not met the requirements by the end of 60 days will have to re-apply; that is start all over, from the beginning to obtain a license. This information is provided to you to keep this from happening to you. The law required that no application for renewal shall be accepted 30 days past the expiration date.

The following actions were taken by the Commission on complaints received on PIs. No names, areas or any identifying data is provided, as some of these are still ongoing investigations.

(1) A complaint was filed on a PI who was photographing all his neighbors, using a blue light to stop cars and making claims that he was CIA, FBI, etc. While none of the complainants would sign any formal complaint, the decision was made to have the PI appear before the Commission.
(2) A complaint was filed on a PI working on an expired license (1999 exp. Date) charging a $1500 retainer and producing unsatisfactory work. A formal hearing is to be scheduled.
(3) An individual requested clarification on our law, as he wants to set up a company to solicit investigative work and pass it on to those PIs who would be members of his network. Since he failed to state HOW he would solicit the work and many other details, he has been asked to appear before the Commission to further explain his request.
(4) A Florida investigator, licensed in Florida, wants written permission to come to Tennessee to work PRO BONO, through an attorney, for a “friend” of his. The Commission felt there was more to the story than meets the eye, so the decision was made to let him make the decision without the Commission’s written approval.
(5) Several individuals requested waivers on their CPE requirements as follows:
(a) PI injured very seriously in an auto accident was granted a one (1) year extension.
(b) A PI called up for active military duty was given a two year extension to complete the requirements
(6) An applicant made a material misstatement on his application. He failed to include 7 arrests and 6 months in jail. Appeal was denied.
(7) An applicant appeared before the Commission and made statements that were not accurate; such as having a TOP SECRET clearance, working out of the Pentagon on highly classified ventures, etc. Investigation disclosed that he was a supply clerk in the unit in question. Appeal denied.

A matter of importance for all licensed private investigators is the working of unlicensed PIs in the state. The Commission is receiving numerous complaints. Our PI law states that this is an offense punishable as a Class “A” misdemeanor and must be prosecuted by the county Attorney General. The TCA provides that persons misrepresenting themselves as a licensed individual are guilty of a Class “E” felony. According to the Commission many AGs are not willing to prosecute this law. TAI is asking members to send a letter to their AGs asking for cooperation in this matter when a complaint is received from the PI Commission legal staff. We will work with the Commission on this matter. Perhaps through our attendance at Commission meetings we will know when a complaint is to be filed and we can furnish the PIs in that county with the information to write their AG. Start now to end the free loaders. You, as a licensed investigator, pay fees and CPE seminar fees. Rather than TAI providing you with a format letter, easily recognizable by the recipient, you should take the pertinent information from this newsletter and compose your own. It will carry a lot more weight. Professional pollsters tell us that one letter sent to the U.S. Congress is considered to equal 10,000 complaints of like manner.

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ANNUAL MEETING NOTES

The membership in the annual meeting approved and passed the recommended changes to the By-Laws. The biggest change was eliminating the Chapters. The new State officers are:
Carl Watson, Chairman
Richard Higgins, Vice-Chairman
Chip Cope, Secretary/Treasurer
Members: Tammy Askew, Tom Isbell,
John David Kelley
The new organization places the responsibility for the newsletter, the hiring of a lobbyist, the formulation of a web page and the CPE seminars on the State Board. A lobbyist has been hired and is doing an excellent job. The Board is in contract talks with a web master and we should be up and running soon. On November 16, 2002 a CPE seminar will be held in Jackson, TN.

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN…

When I was called and asked to come back to TAI to help with the reorganization, I was reluctant. I have been retired for 7 years and have been enjoying peace and quiet. But there was, I felt, an obligation on my part to work with the state officers to salvage TAI. Those of you who know me know that I strive to have things start on time and end on time. I was asked to coordinate the CPE seminar to keep it moving on schedule and we did it.

I have been welcomed back by many old friends and people who said they were glad to have me working for the betterment of investigators in our state. There are changes in the new By-Laws that still need revision and I am working on them at this time. The new Board pledges that we will rejuvenate TAI and get it back on track.
…Carl Watson

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LAST CHANCE TAI SEMINAR FOR 2002

Numerous members have been asking about our Seminar Schedule. TAI has a seminar scheduled in Jackson, TN.
Location: Premier Place
Address: 2644 North Highland
Jackson, TN 38301
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2002
Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.

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