Computer Techs to become Private Investigators?



A Texas state law may require private computer techs like The Geek Squad to be a licensed private investigator. 

State lawmakers passed the bill back in 2007. A representative with the Texas House Committee on Law Enforcement says under the current language, house bill 2833 can be interpreted to mean computer techs are required to be private eye’s.

They say the bill was intended for law enforcement officials, not computer techs. It was really ment for investigative purposes.

“We can gather the data, collect the data and give you the data, but we cannot analyze the data and generate a report from the data without getting our PI license,” said Dave Pickens, owner of Computer Land in Tyler Texas.

“In my business, we have to be very careful where we draw the line so we do not step over it,” said Pickens.

To get a private investigator’s license, a computer technician could potentially need a degree in criminal justice, or go through a three year training.

A representative with the Texas House Committee on Law Enforcement says the language to the bill is expected to be addressed during the upcoming legislative session.

Source: KLTV7