PI Blotter: GPS Tracking by Police and PIs Requires Warrant
- January 25, 2012
- by PInow Staff
- In the News
Each week ServeNow combs the web for the latest and most interesting industry news stories to bring you the Weekly Private Investigator News.
GPS Tracking Requires Warrant
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Supreme Court decided unanimously this week that a probable-cause warrant is needed to track GPS devices. This means that in most cases private investigators, law enforcement officers, and others will need to obtain a warrant before placing a stand-alone GPS tracking device to any vehicle that does not belong to them. If they fail to do so, they could be found to be violating the 4th Amendment. The Obama administration has maintained that GPS device use does not constitute a search and therefore does not require a warrant. The Supreme Court disagreed.
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Supreme Court decided unanimously this week that a probable-cause warrant is needed to track GPS devices. This means that in most cases private investigators, law enforcement officers, and others will need to obtain a warrant before placing a stand-alone GPS tracking device to any vehicle that does not belong to them. If they fail to do so, they could be found to be violating the 4th Amendment. The Obama administration has maintained that GPS device use does not constitute a search and therefore does not require a warrant. The Supreme Court disagreed.
To read the full article, click here.
De-Licensing Private Investigators?
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, IN -- Kosciusko County Representative David Wolkins has proposed a bill which would no longer require some professionals to be licensed. Under the new bill, hairdressers, security guards, private investigators, and dieticians would no longer need to be licensed. According to Wolkins, testimony from various professions will be taken as the bill is considered and changes may be made to the bill if needed. Some professionals have already expressed concerns that lack of licensing could affect customer experiences. Advocates of the bill say that the new legislation would save the state money.
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, IN -- Kosciusko County Representative David Wolkins has proposed a bill which would no longer require some professionals to be licensed. Under the new bill, hairdressers, security guards, private investigators, and dieticians would no longer need to be licensed. According to Wolkins, testimony from various professions will be taken as the bill is considered and changes may be made to the bill if needed. Some professionals have already expressed concerns that lack of licensing could affect customer experiences. Advocates of the bill say that the new legislation would save the state money.
To read the full article, click here.
SEC Inspector Joins Private Investigation Business
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Inspector General of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), H. David Kotz, will leave his position to become part of a private investigations agency. Kotz has been with the SEC for four years and developed a reputation for a hard-nosed approach to the position. He will now join the team at Washington’s Gryphon Strategies.
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Inspector General of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), H. David Kotz, will leave his position to become part of a private investigations agency. Kotz has been with the SEC for four years and developed a reputation for a hard-nosed approach to the position. He will now join the team at Washington’s Gryphon Strategies.
To read the full article, click here.
Private Investigators Hired to Examine Police Response to Protestors
CHAPEL HILL, NC -- Chapel Hill Town Council is considering hiring private investigators to examine the events that led to a raid at a Yates Motor Company facility. Police raided an “Occupy Everything” encampment at a privately-owned and unused building owned by the motor company. Police received criticism for their actions, which many labeled as an overreaction to peaceful protestors. An internal review concluded that police did nothing wrong.
CHAPEL HILL, NC -- Chapel Hill Town Council is considering hiring private investigators to examine the events that led to a raid at a Yates Motor Company facility. Police raided an “Occupy Everything” encampment at a privately-owned and unused building owned by the motor company. Police received criticism for their actions, which many labeled as an overreaction to peaceful protestors. An internal review concluded that police did nothing wrong.
To read the full article, click here.
For more private investigator news highlights, click here to check out the in-the-news archives.