"Discretion Above All" – Detective Patrick Kurtz in the Magazine Die Wirtschaft Köln

Even private detective agencies must meet the challenges of the digital transformation

Clients must be able to rely completely on their matters remaining confidential, that information does not leak externally. This applies both to private clients and those with a commercial background. Data security must also meet the highest standards to prevent any external intrusion via digital channels.

 

Fewer than 40 entries appear under “private detective” in the Cologne business directory. A small, well-defined sector, typically consisting of firms with few permanent employees who rely on freelancers during peak periods.

Google Maps makes on-site inspections largely unnecessary

Patrick Kurtz views the digital transformation in his sector positively in some respects. “Numerous new technical tools have proven highly beneficial for success rates, especially in surveillance,” explains the private detective, active in Cologne since 2013, as well as nationally and internationally. “Google Maps alone provides detectives with excellent opportunities to check and analyse surveillance areas.” On the other hand, there are significant negative financial implications for the detective profession. “Tasks that once required paid on-site inspections can now often be handled cheaply or even free via the Internet. This includes not only surveillance field analyses but also basic detective work like address investigations, which in many cases can now be easily carried out by laypersons online,” says Kurtz.

 

Lothar Wenzel, operating a detective agency since 1979, identifies the biggest shift due to digitalisation in advertising and the external appearance of agencies. “Around ten years ago, detective agencies generated much of their client base via print media, such as the ‘Yellow Pages.’ Today, a well-designed website and strong online presence are crucial for our sector,” notes Wenzel, whose agency is based on Engelbertstraße.

Client acquisition primarily via online presence

Patrick Kurtz shares this view. “Some former large detective firms that failed to jump on the digitalisation train early have disappeared or fallen into insignificance because client acquisition now largely happens via an advertising presence on the internet,” says the trained Germanist, who also works as an author and editor. He adds: “The added value that free access to information on the internet provides to an interested person — whether for professional or private reasons — cannot, in my view, be overestimated,” explains the investigator, whose Kurtz Investigations Cologne is located in Antoniterstraße.

 

However, Kurtz — who describes himself as an information junkie — also sees the negative aspects of digitalisation for the private investigation sector. In his assessment, the number of detective agencies has fallen markedly over the past two decades, as digitalisation and the tightening of data-protection rules have led to very large declines in turnover. Many long-standing and competent detectives have had to change professions, and this process unfortunately continues.

 

So how does one find a suitable detective agency or detective office that is the best option for the task at hand? Lothar Wenzel coined the following bon mot: “A prospective client must already be something of a detective themselves in order to find a suitably expert, professional detective agency.” It should be borne in mind that the job title “detective” is in no way legally protected. Anyone with a clean police certificate may hang a corresponding sign on their office door and print business cards — and start up without further checks. “This is a serious deficiency for which politicians must take responsibility. Especially in today’s era of heightened data protection, it is scandalous that a profession that works with highly sensitive information is not regulated,” Kurtz states emphatically.

IT Experts Also Working As Detectives

Surveillance assignments remain the most requested services. The industry requires generalists who can professionally cover a broad range of services. The more diversified the service portfolio, the more secure the business model — a business maxim that is by no means unique to the detective sector. Again Patrick Kurtz: “We offer a wide range of services and are doing very well with it. In addition to the standard work most German detectives perform — surveillance — we have extensive research capabilities and can therefore generate an unusually high share of turnover through fulfilling information requests. We also have IT experts and anti-surveillance specialists as two additional sub-divisions within the company, enabling us to provide highly specialised services such as searches for missing persons with so-called mantrailer dogs.”

 

Approaching a detective agency is a higher threshold than visiting a supermarket. Whether private individuals or corporate executives, everyone who instructs a detective has a problem that cannot be resolved internally; weaknesses are exposed. “This often makes cooperation with law firms the focal point,” explains Lothar Wenzel. The lawyer deals with negotiations with the detective and handles all formalities on an authorised basis. Invoices are also settled via the solicitor after the assignment — primarily for reasons of discretion.

Empathy, Experience and People Skills

“Private assignments must be handled with appropriate empathy. A mother who worries that her daughter or son has fallen in with the wrong crowd, or the betrayed spouse — they should all feel understood and well looked after by a good detective agency,” says Lothar Wenzel, who regards experience and people skills as important attributes in his profession.

 

It is fundamentally important to be able to empathise with clients’ emotions — a view Patrick Kurtz shares. “The threshold for engaging a detective is highly individual, but in general it is much higher for private clients than for representatives of juridical persons. That is logical since private clients have personal matters that are often very intimate. Many prefer a meeting at a neutral location rather than coming to us.” To relieve tension, he always assures clients — truthfully — that they are not alone with their situation and that countless others have presented with very similar concerns.

 

What to look for when choosing a reputable and qualified detective agency: Prospective clients should consider a number of points. Membership of a professional association is only one of them. Feel free to ask the local bar association — it can name companies that are suitable partners for your concern. Ask about references and take a look at the detective agency’s offices.

Prior Experience In Investigative Authorities Is The Entry Route Into The Profession

Frequently, private investigators have long prior careers in authorities such as the police, customs, the Federal Intelligence Service or — yes — even the Stasi. It is beneficial if detective training is completed with a successful IHK qualification as a specialised detective. Membership of associations is a positive indicator of seriousness, but not conclusive on its own. Claims by some detective firms of DIN or TÜV certifications are misleading because these say nothing about actual detective work but only about administrative or formal standards.

Note

The original article by Heribert Eiden appeared in “Die Wirtschaft Köln”. The emphasised text (bold) and the hyperlinks on this page may differ from the original.

Kurtz Detective Agency Cologne

Zülpicher Straße 58D

D-50674 Köln | Cologne

Tel.: +49 221 4558 0377

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-koeln.de  

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