The Confederation of Professional Investigators UK has launched – COPI UK for short. The founders are the Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI), the World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI) and the United Kingdom Private Investigators Network (UKPIN).
The organisers describe it as an amalgamation of long-standing core stakeholder bodies and organisations within the private investigation industry, whose members are professionals of repute known for their compliant, ethical best business practices. The collective longevity of the confederationโs stakeholders is over 100 years. They add that they have offered invitations to all industry trade groups to join COPI UK whose collective voice is aimed at protecting the interests of UK investigators and their clients, and acting as a conduit to Government and regulators on industry matters. Despite the Coalition Governmentโs plans announced in 2014 to have the SIA licence investigators, nothing came of it. The Confederation complains of a lack of confidence from public and regulators, and a proliferation of rogue operators.
The associations point to an agreed code of ethics protecting clients, the public, and investigators alike. Membership of the Confederation is open to all Industry trade groups and carries no membership fees or administration charges. Last year WAPI, IPI and UKPIN jointly signed a consolidated voluntary Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct across their Memberships, which will also be an entry requirement for COPI UK.
Legislation will eventually come to this Profession, and as a united body of accredited
The autonomy of each of the associations will be unaffected by their involvement in COPI UK they add. Individuals cannot become members of COPI UK, only representative bodies.
Visit www.copiuk.org.uk.
