Pinkerton is a private investigation and security firm, not a government agency
Pinkerton is a for-profit company that provides investigation, security, and risk management services to businesses, law firms, and individuals. It is not part of any government agency and does not have law enforcement powers. When you hire Pinkerton, you are paying a private company to conduct investigations or provide security on your behalf — similar to hiring any other contractor.
The company was founded in 1850 and became famous during the 19th century for tracking outlaws and strikebreakers. Today, Pinkerton operates as a subsidiary of Securitas AB, a Swedish security company, and handles corporate investigations, background checks, loss prevention, and security consulting. Understanding what Pinkerton actually does — and what it cannot do — matters if you are considering hiring them or if you encounter them in a business context.
Key Takeaways
- Pinkerton is a private company that investigates cases for paying clients; it has no government authority and cannot make arrests or compel testimony.
- The company typically works for employers, retailers, law firms, and insurance companies rather than individuals seeking personal investigations.
- Pinkerton investigators must follow state and federal laws about surveillance, recording, and trespassing — breaking these laws can result in civil liability and criminal charges against both the investigator and the hiring party.
- Information Pinkerton gathers is not automatically shared with police or courts unless a client requests it or a subpoena is issued.
- Hiring Pinkerton for an investigation costs significantly more than hiring a smaller local firm, and the company typically takes cases involving substantial sums or complex corporate matters.
What Pinkerton investigators can and cannot do
Pinkerton investigators can conduct interviews, observe people in public places, review public records, and gather information that is legally available. They can photograph someone on a public street, attend a public event to observe someone, or review court filings and property records. They can also conduct background checks, verify employment history, and investigate workplace theft or fraud.
Pinkerton investigators cannot enter private property without permission, cannot record phone calls or private conversations without consent (which varies by state), cannot impersonate law enforcement, and cannot break laws to gather evidence. If a Pinkerton investigator breaks these rules, both the investigator and the person or company that hired them can face civil lawsuits and criminal charges. This is a critical distinction: hiring someone to break the law does not shield you from liability.
Pinkerton has no power to arrest, detain, or compel anyone to answer questions. If an investigator wants to interview someone, that person can refuse. If Pinkerton discovers evidence of a crime, they can report it to police, but police are not obligated to act on a private company's findings.
How Pinkerton investigations typically work
When a client hires Pinkerton, the company assigns investigators and defines the scope of work in a contract. The client pays an hourly rate or a flat fee depending on the type of investigation. Pinkerton then gathers information according to the contract terms and provides reports to the client.
For workplace investigations, Pinkerton might interview employees, review company records, and observe the workplace to investigate suspected theft, fraud, or policy violations. For background investigations, they verify employment, education, criminal history, and financial records. For loss prevention, they may work undercover in a retail environment or warehouse to identify employee or customer theft.
The investigation remains confidential between Pinkerton and the paying client unless the client chooses to share findings with others, or unless a court subpoenas the investigator's records and testimony. Pinkerton does not automatically report findings to law enforcement.
The difference between Pinkerton and local private investigators
Pinkerton is a large national firm with offices across the United States and internationally. Local private investigators are typically small, independent operators or small firms serving a single city or region. The main practical differences are scale, cost, and specialization.
Pinkerton charges higher rates because it has corporate overhead, established procedures, and the ability to deploy multiple investigators across locations. A local investigator may charge less but may have fewer resources for complex cases. Pinkerton specializes in corporate and large-scale investigations; local investigators often handle personal cases like infidelity, missing persons, or small-business disputes.
Both must be licensed by the state where they operate, and both must follow the same laws regarding surveillance, trespassing, and recording. Neither has law enforcement authority. The choice between them depends on the type of case, your budget, and whether you need a large firm's resources or a local investigator's personal attention.
When Pinkerton information can be used in court
Information gathered by a Pinkerton investigator can be used as evidence in court if it was obtained legally. If an investigator photographed someone in a public place or reviewed public records, that evidence is generally admissible. If an investigator broke the law to obtain evidence — for example, by trespassing on private property or recording a conversation without consent — that evidence may be excluded from court and may result in criminal charges.
A lawyer hiring Pinkerton for a case must may support the investigation follows legal rules. If the investigation is for a civil lawsuit, the information may be shared through the discovery process, where both sides exchange evidence. If the investigation is for a criminal case, the defense attorney may request the investigator's records and may cross-examine the investigator in court.
Pinkerton's role in employment and workplace security
Many employers hire Pinkerton to investigate suspected employee misconduct, theft, or policy violations. Pinkerton may conduct interviews, review timecards and security footage, or observe an employee's activities. The investigation is confidential, and the employer decides what to do with the findings — whether to discipline the employee, terminate employment, or refer the matter to police.
Employers must be careful not to violate employee privacy rights or state labor laws during an investigation. For example, some states restrict how employers can monitor employees, and some require notice before conducting surveillance. If Pinkerton or the employer violates these laws, the employee may have grounds for a lawsuit.
Pinkerton also provides loss prevention services in retail and warehouse settings, sometimes placing investigators undercover to identify theft. These investigations must still follow state and federal laws about surveillance and recording.
How to understand Pinkerton's relationship to law enforcement
Pinkerton is a private company, not part of law enforcement. Police departments do not direct Pinkerton's investigations, and Pinkerton does not have access to police databases or law enforcement resources that are not available to the public. If Pinkerton discovers evidence of a crime, they can report it to police, but police decide whether to investigate.
Conversely, if police are investigating a case and Pinkerton has relevant information, police can subpoena Pinkerton's records and compel the investigator to testify in court. Pinkerton cannot refuse a valid subpoena, though the company may assert legal privileges if they explore — for example, attorney-client privilege if the investigation was conducted at a lawyer's direction.
The relationship is one of potential cooperation, not hierarchy. Pinkerton works for its paying clients; police work for the public. The two may share information in specific cases, but Pinkerton's primary obligation is to the client who hired them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pinkerton arrest someone or force them to answer questions?
No. Pinkerton investigators have no law enforcement authority. They cannot arrest, detain, or compel anyone to speak with them. If someone refuses to answer questions, the investigator must stop. If someone is detained or forced to answer questions by a Pinkerton investigator, that is false imprisonment or coercion, which is illegal.
Will Pinkerton share investigation findings with police?
Only if the client requests it or if police obtain a subpoena. Pinkerton's investigation is confidential between the company and the paying client. The client decides whether to share findings with law enforcement, and Pinkerton will comply with that decision unless a court orders otherwise.
How much does a Pinkerton investigation cost?
Costs vary widely depending on the type and complexity of the investigation. Pinkerton typically charges hourly rates or flat fees for specific services. Corporate investigations and background checks for large organizations cost more than straightforward record reviews. Contact Pinkerton directly for a quote based on your specific needs.
Can I hire Pinkerton to investigate someone for personal reasons?
Pinkerton primarily serves corporate and legal clients. They may take personal cases, but they typically focus on larger matters involving significant sums or complex circumstances. A local private investigator may be a better fit for personal investigations like infidelity or missing persons, and will likely charge less.
What happens if a Pinkerton investigator breaks the law during an investigation?
Both the investigator and the person or company that hired them can face civil lawsuits and criminal charges. Illegally obtained evidence may be excluded from court. Hiring someone to break the law does not shield you from legal responsibility for their actions.