Why Broad Experience Elevates the Work of a Private Investigator: Experience isn’t taught…its Lived

From Internal Affairs to Private Investigations: The Value of Diverse Experience

In the realm of private investigations, a wide range of experience is essential for handling complex and sensitive matters. Drawing on my time as an Internal Affairs investigator with the Oakland Police Department in California, I’ve seen firsthand how varied expertise enriches an investigator’s skill set and brings invaluable insight to private cases.

The Sonny Barger Case: A Real-World Example of Investigative Complexity

During my tenure at the Oakland Police Department, I was assigned a high-profile public integrity investigation involving Sonny Barger, founder of the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Club. Barger alleged that the Oakland Police Department systematically targeted his business and patrons through illegal enforcement actions, alongside other allegations of misconduct. This case was not only complex—given its legal and reputational dimensions—but also highly sensitive due to the public figure at its center.

To navigate these challenges, I utilized a multifaceted approach:

• Community Collaboration: Building trust with community members to gather credible information.

• Investigative Techniques: Applying surveillance, document review, and data analysis to verify claims.

• Policy Review and Analysis: Examining departmental procedures to identify any potential violations.

• Interview and Interrogation Skills: Eliciting accurate information from multiple parties through structured questioning.

• Discretion and Professionalism: Managing a high-stakes case while preserving confidentiality and fairness.

Successfully resolving this case required impartiality, depth of knowledge, and the ability to handle both legal and interpersonal complexities—qualities that are now integral to my work in the private sector.

Why Diverse Experience Matters

1. Complex Case Management

Diverse investigative experience equips a professional with the ability to tackle multifaceted cases—from corporate fraud to personal disputes. Past exposure to various investigative environments fosters adaptability and comprehensive problem-solving.

2. Enhanced Investigative Techniques

Skills such as surveillance, evidence collection, and interviewing are refined through real-world practice. Working on high-stakes assignments within law enforcement provides a strong foundation for the precision needed in private investigations.

3. Strong Legal and Policy Understanding

Familiarity with organizational policies and legal frameworks ensures investigations remain above reproach. This knowledge is crucial for gathering evidence that can stand up to legal scrutiny.

4. Effective Communication

Investigations often involve interacting with diverse communities, lawyers, and stakeholders. Experience in high-profile and sensitive cases instills the communication skills required to manage different perspectives.

5. Professional Integrity

Decades in a disciplined environment, such as a police department’s Internal Affairs unit, underscores the importance of impartiality and ethical standards—core values that carry over into private investigations.

Leveraging Experience at TWT Investigations

At TWT Investigations, our background spans varied sectors of law enforcement and private investigation. This diversity shapes the way we approach each client’s case—thorough, ethical, and with an understanding of the complexities involved.

• Breadth of Expertise: Our investigators draw on years of service in different branches of law enforcement.

• Adaptive Strategies: We tailor our techniques to suit the unique needs of each investigation, ensuring both efficiency and integrity.

• Client-Focused Service: While our breadth of knowledge is extensive, our priority is to deliver clear, accurate findings that help clients make informed decisions.

By melding real-world law enforcement experience with the flexibility of private practice, TWT Investigations is equipped to handle a wide array of cases effectively.

Conclusion

Hiring a private investigator with diverse, hands-on experience can make a decisive difference in complex cases. My work in the Oakland Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, including high-profile investigations such as Sonny Barger’s, demonstrates the value of seasoned investigative skills and a robust ethical grounding. At TWT Investigations, this deep background informs our approach, ensuring clients benefit from a level of insight and professionalism that only varied experience can provide.