Graduate Fulfills Career Goal with Professional Investigator Certificate

For more than 15 years, Jamie Hoos has dedicated her life to the criminal justice, legal, and law enforcement field. Now, as a licensed professional investigator, she is part of a vibrant, growing and intriguing profession.

“The ability to help others is something I enjoy doing,” Jamie said. “From family law, parental fitness, missing persons and criminal defense, being a private investigator gives you the ability to help in some aspect of their lives.”

Jamie is no stranger to a lifetime of learning and achievement. Her natural curiosity for fact patterns and truth led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s in Criminology. After completing her degrees, she began to work in the law enforcement field. Several years of working in the field led Jamie to continue her education with a paralegal certificate. Her end goal – private investigations.

“Since my first job in the field, working at a Criminal Defense Law Firm, I have always wanted to pursue private investigations,” Jamie said. “In every job I have had in the criminal justice field, I have always excelled in investigations. I have always been successful in getting to the truth and obtaining all the information needed to pursue or close a case.”

With the paralegal certificate, Jamie sought to learn the intricate details in criminal and civil law. Shortly after completing the program, she enrolled in the Professional Investigator program at CCPE.

“I first heard about the program through a friend who took her certification course [there] in the healthcare field,” Jamie said, “When I saw that the Professional Investigator [certificate] was available, I knew taking the course under the KSU umbrella was the best option based on the reputation the university has.”

Tripp Mitchell, a licensed and certified instructor with more than 20 years of investigative management experience, is the instructor. Jamie said the course gave her a different perspective on the other side of investigations.

“Having a teacher who is not only a former law enforcement officer, but is also a very experienced and respected private investigator, made the course not only very informative, but also it gives students the ability to see exactly what it takes to become a successful private investigator,” Jamie  said.

Since completing the course, Jamie not only took and passed the Georgia State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies exam, but also became a board certified criminal defense and forensic Interviewing Investigator with the Criminal Defense Investigations Training Counsel.

Her education and experience have culminated in the opening of her own private detective and security business taking cases in criminal defense, surveillance and family law.

“I am so glad I finally took the leap of faith in myself to do exactly what I have always wanted to do in the field of criminal justice,” Jamie said. “I wouldn’t say I wish I had done this sooner, because every bit of training and experience I have received over the years will help me immensely [in] building my business.”

For those interested in pursuing the field of private investigations, Jamie suggests two things: experience and a mentor who can guide you.

“Be willing to ‘intern’ to gain experience and training hours,” Jamie said. “Find a good mentor in the field. Having someone guide you in the right direction is so important in establishing yourself in the professional investigative community.”