PDFWAC 308-17-300
Minimum preassignment training and testing requirements.
(1) The preassignment training required by RCW 18.165.090, shall include as a minimum four hours of training covering the following areas:
(a) Legal powers and limitations.
(i) Representation and misrepresentation.
(A) How to properly identify yourself.
(B) Misrepresentation defined.
(C) Problems/liability arising out of misrepresentation.
(ii) Powers of arrest.
(A) Laws pertaining to arrest by private citizen.
(B) Probable cause.
(C) Potential liability resulting from false arrest claim.
(b) Evidence.
(i) Definition.
(A) Written.
(B) Recorded.
(C) Material.
(ii) Marking.
(iii) Storage.
(iv) Chain of custody documentation.
(c) Report writing.
(i) Elements of a report.
(ii) Fact versus opinion or assumption.
(iii) Penmanship.
(d) Courtroom testimony.
(i) Expert witnesses.
(ii) Manufacturing evidence.
(iii) Perjury.
(iv) Discovery.
(e) Confidentiality/privilege.
(f) Federal, state, county, and municipal court systems.
(g) Common sources of public information.
(i) Court docket information.
(ii) U.S. Postal Service.
(iii) Voter registration.
(iv) Credit reporting agencies.
(v) Department of licensing.
(vi) Private sources.
(h) Frequent activities in violation of criminal statutes.
(i) Privacy laws: Electronic surveillance.
(i) Chapter 9.73 RCW privacy violations.
(ii) U.S. Code violations.
(iii) Appellate court decisions.
(A) Explanation of privacy.
(B) Video/photography.
(C) Tracking transmissions.
(j) Fair Credit Reporting Act.
(i) Permissible purposes of reports.
(ii) Obtaining information under false pretenses.
(2) The minimum time each private investigator candidate must spend in preassignment training is four hours. The time spent on each required topic may vary providing the time for all required topics totals four hours and the four hours is devoted solely to the topics designated.
(3) All private investigator applicants, after receiving preassignment training and prior to receiving their license, must successfully complete a test designed to demonstrate their understanding and retention of the information learned in the training course. This test shall consist of a minimum of thirty multiple questions based on the training topics outlined above. Test results must be verified and signed by a certified trainer. All applicants must answer all questions correctly on the private investigator preassignment training test. Questions incorrectly answered initially must be reviewed to insure the applicant's understanding and then initialed by both the applicant and the certified trainer verifying knowledge of the correct answer(s).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.165.170(1), 43.24.086 and 34.05.482. WSR 97-17-051, § 308-17-300, filed 8/15/97, effective 9/15/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.165.170. WSR 91-22-111, § 308-17-300, filed 11/6/91, effective 12/7/91.]