Page 8 - WAD BEYOND GLOBAL June 2020

VICE PRESIDENTS

JEAN SCHMITT and a few members among which one held a booth at this
occasion.
2nd VICE PRESIDENT
In the fall of 2019, following our President’s initiative,
I contacted Mr. Roland MOREAU, Secretary General of IPA
France (secretairenational@ipafrance.org) and informed him
Dear members, of the recent partnership signed between IPA and WAD. He
showed interest and we are now thinking of inviting him to
The global pandemic has fallen on a meeting with the WAD French members in Paris, when the
each of our lives, affecting some of us situation allows it again.
dramatically.
There are still uncertainties in the mind of many members
No one could imagine the smallest biologic molecule would regarding GDPR and other pending similar regulations.
be able to defeat the most powerful living creature on Earth We should keep in mind GDPR directly concerns about
and shut down our world in a matter of days. But it happened. one third of our total membership and even more in the
Unfortunately, the fight is not over yet. But soon will come the future with new regulations as the California CPA and
time to move forward again. such coming into effect. Although there is already a large
number of software on the market that make it easier to
“Crisis and turmoil serve as indicators for us to rectify a comply, it recently came to my attention that one solution
trajectory, explore new directions and experience other paths”, called Smart Global Privacy seemed very easy to use and fitted
Jung once said. In these uncertain times, it is our duty as for our trade. The startup company developing it has sold
professional investigators to think differently. the app to major groups but is keen to tailor it to Detectives
at an affordable cost. If there is any interest from WAD, the
There will be opportunities in tomorrow’s world: the rise of company would be pleased to be considered for a commercial
fraud, counterfeiting or theft is predictable after the crisis. presentation at one of our future meetings.
In some ways, travel restrictions may turn out to be an asset
for local investigators. Of course, the security need will Don’t think the association stayed asleep during the lockdown.
increase as well. But most important, it is our capacity to adapt A number of Executive Committee meetings took place online
that will make the difference. and webinars were organized with the contribution of some of
our most qualified members (for those who missed it, most are
In depth online search, extended data processing or secured available on our web site).
live video capacity for field work or conferencing should
become standards. In some countries, private detectives have Finally, I would like to thank the EC, Past Presidents, Officers,
even even faced with these “health brigades”, in charge of Board members and members who have supported the
tracing and investigating the entourage of patients infected association so well these past months, in such an unpredictable
with Covid-19. When the Courts re-open, it is quite sure the situation.
load of complaints will explode. Who knows if we will be able
to meet the demand by then? I wish you a prompt return to normal business and, above all,
a good health.
I believe WAD can help members to find ways to overcome this
unexpected challenge.
Respectfully submitted,
I know for a fact that we will meet again, sooner (in Aruba) or
now, to enjoy the unique group of professionals we form and Jean Schmitt
later, to share this incredible experience we are living on right
to hug colleagues and friends from all around the world again! Jean Schmitt
2nd Vice President
Prior to the crisis, I was able to assist to The European
Federation IKD AGM, held in conjunction with the Austrian
P.I. association AGM that took place last November in Vienna.
WAD was well represented by its Chairman of the Board, Mike
LaCorte, by Berhard Maier local host and by a number of other
WAD members from Europe.

I received an invitation to Milipol trade show in Paris early
December were I met a number of officials to promote WAD
6 W.A.D Beyond Global