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FEATURE

EMPOWERING THE NEXT

GENERATION OF INVESTIGATORS

Chelsea Binns, PhD, CFE, LPI, Associate Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY
Rina Hatano, Investigator, Family Investigation Agency, Tokyo, Japan

We have a lot of power. As investigative experts, we hold the keys to the future of the profession. With that comes a great
responsibility. How can we harness that power and make an impact on the field for generations to come? This article will cover
three key areas – information sharing, opportunity building and approachability - that can help us to “power up” and in the
process, enhance our own skillsets.

To begin, let’s do some virtual time traveling. Think about how are in the business of keeping secrets. We handle sensitive case
you got started in this field. Did anyone help get you to where and client information with strict confidentiality. We also keep our
you are today? Did someone give you an opportunity? Maybe own personal information secret, since our profession makes us
someone shared information with you that was helpful. Perhaps vulnerable. Consequently, it easy to see why sharing information
you approached someone for networking or assistance and that wouldn’t come naturally to someone in this field.
person was supportive. This exercise will get us thinking about
ways that we can return the favor, or perhaps extend a courtesy In fact, some investigators might view it as a vulnerability.
that was not given to us and help someone else. One great example of this can be found in the statement of a
seasoned investigative manager. When one of us approached
One way to power up is by sharing information. Noted Economist, him with an offer to train a colleague on our team in a new
Robert Boyce, said “Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared technology we learned, he responded “wow, you must feel
is power multiplied.” What type of information are we talking very secure in your job.” In his view, sharing information was a
about? It could be a new technology you learned about at a bad idea. Unfortunately, he missed a key opportunity to
recent training session, a job lead for a new investigator, or “power-up.” But he is not alone. Experts call this “knowledge
a research technique that yielded good results. Sharing this hoarding” and it can be pervasive in some workplaces. It can
knowledge seems like a no-brainer – but let’s consider our audience. cause trust issues, which hinders productivity and engagement.
Asking an investigator to share their knowledge is like asking a Information sharing leads to true innovation, which is a
bank to share their money. Just like banks keep money secure, we powerful force.

26 W.A.D Beyond Global