Maintaining Trust and Professional Standards

Who Handles What

There are two levels of accountability in the private investigation profession:

1. PSPLA(Ministry of Justice)

• The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority is the government regulator responsible for investigating and determining complaints about breaches of licensing laws, misconduct, or unlicensed activity.
• PSPLA has statutory authority to suspend, cancel, or refuse licences and issue penalties.

2.  NZIPI (Professional Association)

• NZIPI may review complaints relating to breaches of its Code of Conduct or Rules.
• NZIPI can record complaints, issue warnings, or suspend membership following due process.
• Serious matters are referred directly to PSPLA.

Complaints Handled by NZIPI

You may contact NZIPI if your concern relates to a member’s professional behaviour or possible breach of the NZIPI Code of Conduct.
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Examples include:

• Unprofessional communication or client management
• Conflict of interest or breach of confidentiality
• Conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute

Our Process:

• Submit your concern via the NZIPI Complaint Form (below).
• Your complaint will be reviewed confidentially by the NZIPI Executive Committee.
• Where relevant, the matter may be referred to PSPLA.
• You will be informed of the outcome once the review process is complete.

Possible Outcomes

After review, NZIPI may:

• Record the complaint for reference
• Provide advice or guidance to the member
• Issue a formal warning or notice of corrective action
• Suspend or revoke membership in serious cases
• Refer the matter to PSPLA for statutory investigation