helix-investigation-services

Mind the Gap

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 22:46:11 GMT

What are Gap Investigations?

Since founding Helix Investigations in 2022, we have had a constant stream of people engage with us because the police did not respond to their complaints or because the police's actions were minimal or questionable. These are what we call Gap Investigations .

As a 35-year veteran of the New Zealand Police, I will not criticise the organisation I spent more than half of my life working for. However, there are occasions when matters need to be investigated because of police actions or inaction. The same can be said of other government agencies that have an investigative function.

Oversight bodies such as the Independent Police Conduct Authority (the IPCA) and the Office of the Ombudsman determine whether the police or another government agency should or shouldn't have been involved in a matter and whether their behaviour adhered to the Values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, and Empathy. These agencies also experience high workloads and resource constraints.

A recent example Helix has been involved with includes a significant international fraud matter involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses to at least two New Zealand victims and likely millions of dollars of losses worldwide. One of the victims reported the matter to the police, who took a report from them and then filed the matter ‘no further police action’. In this case, through investigation and intelligence-gathering work by Helix, we have provided the police with enough information for them to become engaged. The matter is ongoing. However, when it is resolved, an article will explain the circumstances and outcome of this fascinating case.

Another case that still hasn't been resolved involves what, on the face of it, appears to be very unprofessional conduct by a group of police officers. To ensure the matter got the traction it needed when a complaint was made to the police by our client, a detailed statement was taken from them, and several documentary exhibits were obtained and assembled in such a manner they were easy to follow. This meant the police were presented with a complaint file ‘tied in a bow’. This made their job easier and increased the likelihood the matter would be properly investigated by police and the IPCA, who are automatically notified when such complaints are made to police.

The reasons why the police do not investigate some complaints are entirely understandable. The current heavy burden on their resources is well-documented. I am not criticising them as an organisation. “Help me, help you!” is a catch cry in one of my favourite movies, Jerry Maguire. This saying applies to making complaints to, or getting assistance from police or other government agencies. If people approach these agencies, or their oversight body with statements already written, exhibits put together in a logical order, and some intelligence analysis done, then there is a better chance the matter will be picked up by them and investigated.

Finding the right entry point into the police or government organisation you wish to engage with can sometimes be a challenge; however, with our experience and contacts, this has not been an issue to date.

Should you or anyone you know have an issue lodged with the police or another government agency and not be satisfied with the outcome, call Helix Investigations for a chat about the facts of the matter and whether or not the outcome or advice you got was correct. With our help, justice can be done.

Can Helix Investigations Assist in Finding Individuals?

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:51:26 GMT

Can Helix Investigations help you find a person?

At Helix Investigations, we frequently receive inquiries from clients seeking assistance locating individuals. The reasons behind these requests vary widely, ranging from parents looking to reconnect with their children, to individuals seeking to reunite with past acquaintances. Despite their efforts and online searching, many clients cannot locate the desired person, prompting them to turn to us for help.

Leveraging our expertise in open-source intelligence gathering, Helix often succeeds in finding these individuals. However, it is crucial to emphasise that our approach prioritises the privacy rights of the individuals being sought. We refrain from providing clients with the address information of the person sought without obtaining consent from the subject of the search. This ethical practice ensures that the privacy and autonomy of the person being sought are respected.

In cases where there is a legitimate need to share address information with the client, such as when a debt is owed to them, we adhere to the exceptions outlined in the Privacy Act. Specifically, we operate within the parameters of Principle 11(e(iv), which permits the disclosure of information "for the conduct of proceedings before any court or tribunal."

It is not uncommon for individuals who wish to remain elusive to take measures to minimise their digital footprint. However, our intelligence analysts are adept at navigating these challenges, using advanced open-source research techniques. While individuals may attempt to evade detection, our expertise ensures that they cannot entirely escape our reach.

Moreover, in family-related searches, we recognise that knowing a loved one is safe and well can bring immense relief to our clients. Additionally, seeking our assistance demonstrates the family member’s concerns, reassuring the sought-after individual. We can also facilitate communication by passing messages or letters to the located individual if asked to.

For those seeking assistance locating someone, we encourage contacting Helix Investigations. Our team is dedicated to providing professional and ethical investigative services tailored to each client's unique needs.

The Importance of Hiring an External Investigator for Organizations in New Zealand

alex@helixinvestigations.co.nz (Alex Kersjes) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:06:28 GMT

So why do organisations need external investigators?

In today's world, organisations across New Zealand face a myriad of challenges, from navigating employment disputes to addressing internal or external complaints. When faced with concerns such as bullying, misconduct, or service-related issues, schools, charities, sports clubs, and other entities must hire an external investigator to conduct thorough and impartial investigations.

Here's a few reasons why:

Independence and Impartiality: External investigators bring a fresh perspective and impartiality to the investigation process. Unlike internal staff members who may have pre-existing relationships or biases, external investigators approach the matter objectively, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the investigation.
Optics: It’s important for external stakeholders, and the public, to see you are taking the issue seriously and its being dealt with by professionals.
Expertise and Experience: Licensed private investigators in New Zealand or qualified lawyers possess the necessary expertise and experience to conduct comprehensive investigations. They are trained in investigative techniques, evidence gathering, and legal procedures, ensuring that investigations are conducted efficiently and effectively. In fact in New Zealand only Licensed Private Investigators like Helix, or lawyers are legally able to complete external employment or organisational investigations.
Legal Compliance: Hiring a licensed private investigator or lawyer ensures that investigations are conducted in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. From privacy laws to employment regulations, external investigators understand the legal framework surrounding investigations and take steps to protect the organization from potential legal risks.
Preserving Confidentiality: External investigators prioritise confidentiality and discretion throughout the investigation process. They understand the sensitive nature of the issues being investigated and take measures to protect the privacy of individuals involved, safeguarding the reputation and integrity of the organization.
Unbiased Reporting: External investigators provide impartial and unbiased reports based on factual evidence and findings. Their objective perspective helps organisations make informed decisions and take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation, fostering accountability and transparency.
Minimising Conflict of Interest: By outsourcing the investigation to an external party, organisations minimise the risk of conflicts of interest and perceptions of bias. This helps maintain trust and credibility among stakeholders, including employees, clients, donors, and the broader community.
Professionalism and Efficiency: Most of these types of these organisations are run by volunteers on boards and do not have the time or capacity for detailed and complex issues and unpacking them. External investigators adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines in conducting investigations as all Private Investigators are licensed through the Department of Internal Affairs. Their systematic approach and attention to detail ensure that investigations are conducted efficiently, minimizing disruption to the organisation's operations.

In conclusion, hiring an external investigator, whether a licensed private investigator or a qualified lawyer, is an absolute must for organisations in New Zealand facing concerns or complaints. By leveraging their independence, expertise, and adherence to legal and ethical standards, external investigators play a crucial role in ensuring that investigations are conducted impartially, confidentially, and professionally. Investing in external investigation services demonstrates a commitment to accountability, fairness, and the well-being of all stakeholders involved.

The Origin of Helix Investigations

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 01:34:20 GMT

What is Helix Investigations?

Helix Investigations (Helix) was established in 2022 when Alex Kersjes and Neil Hallett identified a shortage of high-quality private investigators in New Zealand. Since its establishment, Helix has provided quality and timely service to a wide range of clients. They have done this by using their own skills and subject matter experts, who all pride themselves on untangling the ‘bowl of spaghetti’ that clients bring to them.

Before opening any investigation, Helix staff meet with clients to determine a clear direction, adhering to the principle of "Start with the end in mind." This ensures that both parties share a common understanding of the aims of the investigation.

With a decade-long career in criminal intelligence, Neil understands the importance of intelligence-guided investigations. "In practically every case, we begin with open-source intelligence searches on the involved parties." This approach, combined with commencing a timeline of events, assists in preparing their comprehensive investigation plans.

Since its inception, Helix has been involved in a wide variety of investigations. “There certainly appears to be no shortage of people needing our services,” Neil said.

Often, when people come to us through our website, they are unsure of the outcome they want; however, after discussions with Helix staff, the client has a clear outline and a commitment from us to do our very best for them.

Helix has tackled diverse investigations, from assisting defence lawyers in case preparation to helping individuals whose complaints have not been investigated by the police or the police investigation is found wanting. Each case presents its challenges, and over the coming weeks, we will highlight some of the intriguing issues we've encountered and successfully resolved.

When assisting defence lawyers, Helix’s primary role is to interview potential witnesses. It doesn’t stop there though. Helix will also gather exhibits, arrange for their forensic examination, and use Neil’s experience as a 35-year police veteran to examine and summarise possible defences, or gaps in the prosecution case.

In addition to assisting with defence case preparation, Helix extends its support to individuals who have been convicted, aiding in mitigation pleadings before sentencing or gathering evidence for possible appeals.

New Zealand and overseas policing agencies have limited resources and a need to prioritise cases. This can result in some critical matters not meeting their investigation thresholds. Helix explores various approaches in such cases, sometimes presenting nearly completed files to the police for swift action. In other instances where police duties are perceived as lacking, Helix assists clients in preparing complaints to be forwarded to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

In our next article, we will delve into strategies for finding individuals, exploring what can be done and the limitations of what we can do in cases where somebody is seeking to reconnect with someone they've lost contact with.

So you hide behind bushes?

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 01:08:50 GMT

Our work in Private Investigation...

So do you spend your time behind bushes?

In short, no not often!

We complete a wide range of work for a wide range of people.

Most of our work are for companies like insurance firms who might want to check the integrity of a claim or any other type of business that wants to get a real picture of what another business or person might be doing or saying.

We do a lot of work for criminal defence teams. We help them with their theory of defence and also do the leg work in checking evidence, peoples stories and circumstances and events.

We help a lot of business with their business of people. It may be pre-employment back ground checks or helping them investigate an allegation of serious misconduct like theft or sexual harassment or bullying. We have a dedicated employment team for this work.

We also work with debt companies who might be looking for someone, often called skip tracing, to serve them a document or help them secure payment for a bill.

And yes we do lots of good old fashioned private investigation work. And its not nearly as glamorous as it sounds! Covert Surveillance may sound fun but it is really lots of hours and lots of waiting.

We are always looking for good people to join us, so if you think you have the right skills reach out to make time for a chat.