The 3 Organizations

There are three organizations that matter to Texas PIs. Each one plays a role in your journey of becoming a private investigator. Give each a few minutes to understand them.

DPS

The Department of Public Safety is the state law enforcement agency of Texas. It is empowered to enforce the laws relating to the “security industry.” The security industry in Texas includes four professions: security, private investigations, locksmithing, and alarm systems. DPS oversees all of them.

From time to time, DPS employees will visit TALI conferences and training to share information. On a bi-annual basis, DPS normally performs an audit to make sure each PI firm is following the appropriate procedures and regulations.

TOPS

Texas Online Private Security is the website through which DPS oversees and administrates those in the security profession, which includes alarm systems, security officers, locksmiths, and private investigators. In order to get your license with a PI firm, you must apply to TOPS. The hiring firm then approves your application (via TOPS), and DPS begins its criminal background check. Once this is completed, TOPS communicates back to the PI firm for final acceptance of your license. In addition to the background check by TOPS, all hiring PI firms need to do their own “good faith” background checks.

TALI

The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators is the non-profit, professional association of Texas PIs. I recommend joining it sooner rather than later as it provides a number of benefits to include: annual conferences, free monthly training opportunities for CEs, normally enough to meet your CE requirements, and opportunities to meet other PIs.