Policy & Procedure

1.01 Prospective Members.

All applicants shall be at least 21 years old. All applications for membership must be made on the Association membership application to the Vice President of Membership. Each application must be fully completed and accompanied by the first year’s annual dues as determined by the Board. Members conducting background investigations for PPIAC are to be reimbursed for background investigations to cover the actual costs of such checks as deemed adequate per background investigation, not to exceed $50. The prospective member’s name will be posted on the PPIAC list serve at least 5 days prior to the Board vote on acceptance. The background investigation shall include, but not be limited to: Full legal name, birth name, all former names/aliases, verification of social security number, date of birth, former addresses, arrest records, criminal convictions, civil litigation, business and professional licenses, and professional associations. The Board will review the background investigation and vote to accept, deny or request additional information. Applicants will be notified in writing and/or via email of acceptance or the denial of his/her membership application by the PPIAC Board Chair, and/or President within ten business days. Applicants who are denied may address the Board and present for consideration additional information. After the applicant addresses the Board, he/she will be notified in writing and/or via email of the Board’s decision. If approved, an announcement will be made at the next general monthly meeting and will be posted to the membership. Past members whose membership has lapsed more than one year will be required to reapply for membership.

1.02 Denial of Applications for Membership.

A) Felony Conviction

A conviction of any felony crime in any state is grounds for denial of an application for membership at any level. Mitigating facts or circumstances may be submitted by the applicant as part of the application and may be considered by the Board of Directors; however, in no case will mitigating factors be considered for criminal conviction involving violence leading to serious bodily harm, offenses against children, or firearms except for cases involving clemency, Alford pleas, and/or expungement, which will be evaluated by the Board on a case-by-case basis.

B) Misdemeanor Conviction

A conviction for any misdemeanor offense may be grounds for denial of an application for membership at any level. A conviction for any un-classified misdemeanor may also be grounds for denial of an application for membership at any level, if such conviction demonstrates a pattern of conduct deemed detrimental to the best interests of the PPIAC.

C) Falsification of Application Information

An application that includes key information that is determined to be false, either intentionally or by omission, may be grounds for denial of an application for membership. Such key information includes, but is not limited to, the name of the applicant, educational or professional credentials, civil or criminal history – (whether such a conviction or plea has been sealed or not), licensing or insurance status (where applicable.)

D) Other Circumstances

It is the sense and intent of the Policies and Procedures of the PPIAC with respect to membership applicants that any factor or circumstance not specifically set forth herein that could be detrimental to the best interests of the PPIAC may be considered as weighing against acceptance.

E) Notification of Denial

Board Chair and/or President will dispatch by U.S. Mail and/or via email a letter notifying an applicant that his or her application for membership has been denied. This letter will be sent within ten business days of the meeting at which the vote was taken. An explanation will be at the discretion of the Board Chair and/or President. Such letter will include notice that a refund of any membership fee paid as part of the application will be refunded under separate cover. The investigative fee will be retained by the Treasurer.

F) Appeal Process

Any person whose application for membership has been denied and who requests a hearing, may, at the Board’s discretion, be permitted to provide additional information or explanation. The Board then may decide to permit a re-application. In that event, the Board may require additional application fees.

1.04 Procedure for Change of Status in the Association.

Members seeking to upgrade their status from Associate to Senior or from Apprentice to Associate shall provide an approved affidavit of documented hours and a statement of verification to the Vice President of Membership for review. The Vice President of Membership shall review the application, consult with the member if necessary and present the application to the Board for approval. The member will be contacted by the Vice President of Membership to inform them of the approval or denial of upgrade. If the upgrade is denied, the member shall be informed in writing and/or via email that the application was denied. The member may then re-submit a new affidavit to provide clarification if needed.

1.05 Non-Discrimination.

No person shall be excluded from membership in the Association, and no member shall be deliberately discriminated against, in the course of Association activities, on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), race/ethnic background, economic status, age, disabilities, color, creed, national origin, or cultural or religious background.

1.06 Continuous Membership.

The Association may suspend, cancel, or at any time revoke the membership of any member for violations of the Associations bylaws, code of ethics or serious violations of criminal statutes. Such action is considered an interruption of continuous membership. A member may present a request in writing or via email for a “leave of absence” in which a non-voting membership shall remain continuous but payment of dues is suspended. Leaves of absence will be approved on a case by case basis by the Board.

1.07 Resignation.

A member may resign from the Association by submitting that intent in writing to the Vice President of Membership. The resignation means that the resigning member shall be considered a non-member and should that person desire membership again more than one year future; such member must reapply for membership. This person will then be required to resubmit all application materials and the appropriate application fees and dues. If the member elects to continue his/her membership within the one year time period from the date of resignation, the member may pay the appropriate dues and membership will be considered to be active and current. Re-submission of an application will not be required, or will be required, but Member must submit a statement that he/she has not been convicted of any misdemeanors or felonies during the previous five years.

1.08 Relevant Experience.

Relevant professional investigative experience, as required by the PPIAC By Laws, for membership consideration may include, but is not limited to, private investigations, law firm investigations, law enforcement investigations, security services, process serving, skip tracing, insurance SIU, certain military and legal experience, and other applicable experience as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.