Retail investigation services

Private Detective Institute offers our retails clients many years of experience in both loss control advice and investigation. The retail environment is a dynamic one, to say the least, and therefore, only a truly dynamic agency such as Private Detective Institute is suited to assist in this arena.

Private Detective Institute understands the nature of risks and loss potential which, in the retail industry, required a detailed understanding of all retail portfolios, such as supply chain, storage, distribution, point of sale, outscoring and health and safety aspects, experience, both locally and internationally in the various retail portfolios.

The protection of employees, customers and the company brand is another vital aspect of the Retail Security Portofolio. When one consider this, it makes perfect sense for any business within the retail sector to align themselves with a respected risk consultancy such as Private Detective Institute.

Private Detective Institute plays a major role in assisting clients in the retail sector through six (6) main services:

1. Undercover investigation
2. Employee background Screening
3. Test Purchasing
4. Independent Security Manager
5. Off-site CCTV Monitoring
6. Surveillance

1.1 UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS

"Successful deployment of well trained and experienced undercover agents is the single most effective company security tactic".

Simply put, our undercover investigation services allow you to glean information not generally available to you. Grass roots information would normally remain at grass roots level, yet is vital to you and us. Undercover investigation services or deployment allows you to tap into this hugely valuable pool of information.

Our undercover investigators are also available to secure information related to matters that might require dedicated investigation services. We often find that our clients have a suspicion about something or are uncomfortable with an individual but are not sure how to handle the situation. Undercover investigation services can determine if the concerns are valid.

Undercover investigators should not only be seen as useful for theft or loss investigations but, rather, as 'deployed auditors'. Undercover investigation services are a fantastic way to identify weaknesses in company policies and operating procedures. If these policies are not 'audited' using our undercover investigation services, chances are that you may not ever know where the real issues lie.

When last did you get reliable insight into exactly what your security guards are up to? From this proactive approach towards ultimate loss control, it is plain to see just how important the presence of a professional undercover investigator is. Our undercover investigation services are introduced into our clients' workforce. Investigators are deployed as everyday workers or contractors, as would be the case for clients' routine recruiting procedure. Within a short space of time, our investigator would have integrated him/ herself amongst the rest of the employees.

Whilst the undercover investigation services are in progress, information is passed on to the client directly from the offices of Private Detective Institute. This happens on a weekly basis. These weekly reports enable us to formulate graphs that will clearly show trends and patterns of the various associated risks.

Example of our graphs supplied to clients over three months highlighting risk incidents:

1.2 EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND SCREENING

The fact is that the most important asset in a business ... its employees ... is also its single biggest threat! Companies are using Employee Background Screening service. In doing so, they are literally taking the risk out of hiring. Private Detective Institute dedication to protecting the interests of our clients has led to our world class vetting service, providing both basic background checks and comprehensive searches.

Our services include:

• Educational qualifications
• Criminal record history
• Past employment
• Driver's license verification
• Work permits
• ID verification
• Credit checks
• Address verification
• Bank accounts
• Forklift license verification
• Lifestyle probes
• Integrity
• Market reputation
• Experience

Creating a partnership with Private Detective Institute allows you to hire employees, knowing full well that the person you are getting is, in fact, the correct investment!

Private Detective Institute’ screening and vetting services are available for all levels of employment. Our specialist vetting consultants are available to advise you on what level of screening would best suit your needs.

1.3 TEST PURCHASING

A test purchase project is a legitimate way to test and discover the honesty and loyalty levels of employees. Private Detective Institute has many years of experience in managing test purchase projects, testing employees from any department within the business.

These projects allow our investigators to identify any employee involved in dishonest activity. Test purchasing is also a very effective way to reduce internal theft and collusion between customers and employees.

With the aid of specialized covert equipment, our Test Purchasing investigators are able to legally record all test purchases and present evidence as and when required.

Other services for this industry:

• Investigations
• Polygraph Testing
• Off-site CCTV Monitoring
• Security Surveys
• Fraud Investigations
• VIP Protection/Bodyguarding

1.4 SITE SECURITY MANAGEMENT

"In keeping with our objectives of assisting our clients to successfully operate in what can only be described as a hostile environment, we provide, on a contract basis, independent third party security management".

When guarding companies, alarm installers and the like offer advice on what is best for your company, it begs the question, 'What do they stand to gain?'

It is with this in mind that Institute of Private Detective has built up a significant reputation as the leading risk consultancy on Balkan area! Our on-site security managers are deployed to our clients' sites with the single aim of ensuring that our clients receive exactly what is required for their unique risk portfolio.

Our security managers are on hand to report, without fear or failure, on exactly what and how security and related risk controls should operate. With no links to guarding contracts or technical equipment suppliers, our reviews and reports remain unbiased and accurate.

Monitoring and commenting on employer compliance, contract service compliance and billing accuracy, our clients can continue to focus on what they do best - their business.

Added advantages of an on-site security manager:

• Real time response to emergencies.
• On-site investigations.
• Monthly site review reports.
• Employee monitoring.
• Background checks.
• Introduction of best practice policies and procedures.
• On-going backup support from D & K Management Consultants.
• Security related updates.
• After hours alarm response by a qualified security manager.

1.5 OFF-SITE CCTV MONITORING

Think about it, you have paid good money for your current system, but has your investment given you good returns?

If the answer is no, then it is more than likely due to the fact that your system is being used as a reactive tool and not as a management tool. This is common due largely to the fact that most companies do not have someone who can dedicate the required time to view the day's recordings.

Private Detective Institute has the solution. Why not allow our team of video surveillance specialists to do your viewing for you, thus turning your system into a proactive system and not one used only when incidents are actually reported (on many occasions, days or weeks later)?

INDEPENDENT FOOTAGE MONITORING

Private Detective Institute will collect 120 hours of recorded footage from your system to be viewed at our offices. This will provide the facility for your company to have incidents detected and brought to your attention that otherwise may not have been made known to you!

An added advantage to our team's viewing the recording is that reviewing leads to better detection of incidents than live viewing. The reason for this is that our viewer is not under pressure and has the added benefit of rewinding parts of the recording they're concerned about, or can opt to watch it in slow motion.

CAN MULTIPLE CAMERAS BE VIEWED?

The answer is yes. All footage taken off your system will be made up of recordings from all your cameras. Should you require us to focus more on a specific area or camera, obviously, our viewers would do so.

REPORTS

Every month you'll receive a detailed report containing all recorded incidents including date, time and occurrence. Added to this, you will receive a 'highlights' CD/DVD/flash drive, containing all reported incidents. This allows for you to only watch incidents that we found to be of importance.

LEGALITY

All footage that shows incidents of criminal activity or breach of company policy can be used for both internal hearings and criminal prosecution. Added to this, our experienced Risk Management department will advise you on options available to you for further investigative work, if and where required.