A rich and thriving country, it is not unusual for Singapore citizens to seek the help of a private investigator for various, fact-finding missions. The truth of the matter is that despite the excellent police – system of the country, there are some investigative needs not covered by their duties such as tracking people and finding out the truth about their activities. However, hiring private investigators to do a job can be a grey are when it comes to Singaporean laws. This is especially true when it comes to placing tracing devices on cars.
Is It Legal?
A vehicle tracking system can be placed in a car – provided that the said car is owned or partly owned by the client. Essentially, this gives the client legal right to allow the placement of the tracking device inside the car.
Some examples of when this would be acceptable include:
• A car owned by the family, in which case the wife/husband would want to find out where the other member of the family is going without their knowledge/permission.
• A company car driven by an employee, in which case the employer wants to find out the unofficial destinations of the person tasked with minding the vehicle
How GPS Works
A GPS tracking device works with a satellite to pinpoint a person’s current location. The accuracy is hyper-specific and allows the person in the receiving end to literally track the GPS’s route at all times of the day. For legal purposes, a private investigator will place the GPS tracking device outside the car to prevent “breaking and entering” charges. However, the fact that the owner/part-owner of the car has given explicit agreement over the fact ensures that no legal repercussions will be charged.
Choosing Singapore Private Investigators
When choosing a Singapore PI, it is important to find a company that values and follows the strict guidelines set by the Singaporean government. Note that any illegal activities performed by the private investigator upon the order of the client involve the said client in the repercussion of the unlawful action. A good PI would be open about the legalities of their action and would be upfront should the order be considered a criminal act, even within the boundaries of PI rights. A good rule of thumb is to find private investigators that correspond to all the requirements of the government.
Following are some of the information you should definitely know about before pushing through with the request:
• The PI must be licensed, as per the Private Security Industry Act.
• The Code of Conduct also requires that the said PI must be upfront when it comes to their abilities in performing a said job.
• Question the PI about their record keeping code as well as the privacy of any information they gather. This is crucial, especially when it comes to sensitive issues.
What to Expect from Your PI
PIs are also concerned with the legal boundaries of their job – which is why they take careful note of Singapore PI laws. You will notice that they will also cover all bases – which is why a bona fide PI will always ask for several information from their client before pushing through with a project. IF your chosen PI does not ask for any of these requirements, then this should actually be considered a red flag.
Here is what to expect with licensed PIs:
• The PI will ask for your identification, typically through passport or any other official document
• A letter of authorization, covering the task the PI is required to do will be signed by the client.
• Payment is usually on a per hour basis. However, some PIs may ask for lump sum for finishing a specific job.
• A good PI will always ask for a face-to-face meeting in order to discuss the specifics of the job.
• They are legally bound to keep records of whatever job is performed upon the request of their client. At the same time, they are required by the law to keep said records and information secret unless the client or a higher power deems the information necessary. Note that a client may press charges should the information become public knowledge and the leakage of such is traced to the PI.
• Should it become necessary, PIs may also attend court to present the findings of their investigation, upon the request of the client.
The Internet is currently a great place to find Singapore-based PIs. However, visiting their website is just the first step towards an office visit.