Since the late 1980's, John Krause remains busy working as a local private investigator and process server. As a PI, Krause handles several types of investigations from workman's compensation fraud to alimony disputes. Krause, a Pensacola resident, recently shared some insight about his career to our readers. For more information on Krause, visit www.JKPI.com.
How did you end up becoming a private investigator?
Krause: It was 1987 in St. Petersburg and my second wife and I were the original start up house or program care givers for abused children with the Children’s Home Society. Working previously with troubled teens at The Youth Home of Florida gave me the ability of tracking down these teens and their issues to work close with the staff counselors on the detection of problems. Well after a while of doing this work, I was furious seeing abused children returned to the same environment and with that a friend suggested becoming a private investigator with CCP/Pinkerton’s in Tampa and thus a new career was launched. I relocated to the Pensacola /Milton area in November 1989 where I completed my internship with Trace Investigations, Claims Confirmation and opened my own agency.
What are the most common type of cases that you find yourself working as a private investigator?
Krause: In the beginning I was conducting surveillance for the insurance companies for work (compensation) fraud, divorces etc. Currently after developing my skills I went into the specialized fields of personal injury and DUI defense working with some of our area’s best and brightest attorney’s Like Tommy Ratchford for the past 23 years, Chris Rabby Eric Stevenson and Greg Whibbs. I also conduct personal injury investigations with firms like Emanuel Shepard and Condon, Michael Burtt, David Lee Sellers for nearly 10 years. I am also a court appointed Civil Process Server and handle a lot of paper for Kim Skiovaski, and the other named attorney’s. I do some work for civilian clients also like alimony disputes background inquiries and the like.
With this profession, what does the average day have in store for you?
Krause: I start my days around 4:30 a.m. with catching up (on) paperwork and billing and then spend the morning running and dropping off the completed work. Then it starts all over again, I can go from serving papers to pulling public records to interviewing witnesses and photographing wrecked cars and accident scenes. It is different from day to day and I never know what to expect or where I am going or even what I might be walking into. I can be on the streets in some cases until 1 or 2:00 a.m. and get an hour or two of sleep then starts over. It can be a grind but I enjoy the people and love everybody I work with. That makes it easy when you really like the clients and their staff’s. Then there are some days that you have nothing to do and don’t know what to do with yourself. I will never probably experience any vacations because I work 7 days a week. You have to when in practice for your self.
What are some of the most common misconceptions that you find people have about private investigators?
Krause: (The) most common is people think its easy and that you can walk on water with the revealing the things they think should be there. Most clients are running on high-octane emotions and sometimes think what is the deal maker for their case does not come close. Some think it’s like Magnum (P.I.) or (The) Rockford (Files) and it really is not that simple. It is tough work; it is a thinking man or women’s game. With every case you have to understand does the end justify the means and sometimes attorneys don’t realize what is involved. There are things a good P.I. knows what works and does not. It is up to us to put it together, so the attorney can make it work. But it has to be 100% factual, this where P.I.’s must have integrity. They can not plant things set people up etc. If the subject is not active that is what you report. If you get a witness statement and it is not favorable for the client then it is what it is and the attorney needs to know that. It's never what you think it is, it is always something in the gray area that creeps out and slaps you against the head. I tell clients all the time there are no guarantees on the promise I will try to reveal the truth.
From your experience, what skills or personal attributes does a private investigator require?
Krause: Being nosy is not one of them I get so many people that will tell me how good of a P.I. they would be due to being nosy. That is not the case attributes of a good investigator, (which) are the skills of listening, observation and recall. Note taking and (presenting) a report that makes sense to the client as if they were in the field with you. You have to know how to have discussions with people while controlling the conversation in order to extract the information you need from them. The P.I. is that artist that must draw a picture of understanding for the client be it an attorney, insurance adjuster or just the average Joe.
What is the most difficult part about your profession?
Krause: Keeping the same clients from case to case and year to year. The P.I. may be loyal, but many clients are not. Staying out of ruts, accomplishing what is asked of you in the best manner possible for the best outcome. Getting paid on some occasion can be trying and getting use to living a life of feast and famine. Maintaining composure in trying or difficult people. You must be a people person with service qualities. Working your tail off know that some one is innocent and still goes to prison because the case just was not convincing to a judge or jury even if it’s the truth. Having the documentation to overwhelm the deciding factors of the case does not always get the justifiable verdict. I had a few cases that just took the wind out of my sails when we lost and I knew that the accused was innocent. You know there are a lot of innocent people in prison or dealing with a punishment that does not fit the crime.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
Krause: The satisfaction of knowing that I actually did help someone. A lost love or family member and rejoining them is the best reward. Some things I have no fees for and will just do it to help make somebody’s life a little better.
With continuing technological advancements pertaining to cell phones, computers, etc. occurring has it made your job easier or more difficult?
Krause: Much easier, GPS tracking units are awesome and should be made legal again for P.I.’s to use, they save the client cost and the investigator time. I also provide cell phone forensics like pulling deleted text messages etc. The technology has created many new avenues to obtaining evidence, information. Much easier. The vast variety of subscription information brokers has come a long way. A P.I. can find out banking information if conducted properly making it legal to use in court.
Without releasing any sensitive information, what is the most interesting case you have worked as a private investigator?
Krause: They can all be fascinating. I have worked on wrongful death, vehicular homicide cases. They really make you think it through. I once worked a case in Tennessee, It was determined to be a suicide and the family hired me because they did not buy that theory provided by the investigating agencies involved. I reviewed all the scene photos, evidence that was obtained by the family and I came up with a different end result that it was not a suicide but homicide. Now keep in mind I am not smarter that law enforcement by any means, but there was just something about this case and I could not help my gut instinct – a very important attribute. Well it tuned out that this army sergeant was murdered. And this how I concluded this outcome, the body was wrapped up in a sheet, gun was thrown across the room and the room was totally destroyed showing signs of a struggle. The door was locked from the inside, which in a suicide is likely, but how did he get all twisted up in a bed sheet, the gun across the room and no powder tattooing on either hand? It turned out the wife was in an affair with another guy who was a roommate, there was $100,000 life insurance, and the victim had just passed all of his psychological to re-enter the military and maintain his officer status. I will leave it to your reader’s imagination. I rendered the reports and it prompted a new investigations.
Whether local are abroad, what should people take into consideration before hiring a private investigator?
Krause: Just like hiring an attorney check out the P.I. with lawyer’s offices. Ask for references. I say this because people will call another P.I. for advice on another,that will not work what do you think will happen? I have heard bad mouthing and clients being told they just need to hire the other guy. Don't trust that just because you think you get information off the Internet from Google or whatever. There can be lots of misinformation. Expect a report from the P.I. unless in the agreement, your entitled to their final report. Make sure you can afford the P.I. he should not have to beg anyone for his money. Talk to your attorney and find out if a P.I. can help your case or not. We are in Florida and this is a no fault state for divorce. Don't just take it at face value some P.I. will win your case for you, most often the information the P.I. gets is not permitted into court. It has been rare and if it is make sure the information is air tight.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Q&A: With John Krause, a local private investigator