24 March 2025

Why is a Private Detective now called a Private Investigator?

Since 2024, there has been an important change in the terminology used for professionals in the investigative industry in Belgium. The term "private detective" has officially been replaced by "private investigator." But why was this change implemented? And what does it mean for both clients and professionals in the field? In this blog, we explain why this name change occurred and what the impact of the new legislation is.

1. The legislation changes: What are the reasons?

The legislation concerning the profession of private detectives changed in 2024. Previously, there was little legal protection, and the field was sometimes associated with informal and unclear practices. The Belgian government revised the role of the private detective to ensure more transparency, ethics, and professionalism in the sector. The name change from "private detective" to "private investigator" reflects these changes.

According to the new legislation (WPO), private investigators must adhere to strict rules and ethical standards. This ensures that all actions performed within the scope of the investigation are both legal and respectful of individuals' privacy.

2. What does this mean for the role of the professional?

Although the name has changed, the tasks and responsibilities of the private investigator remain the same. However, the profession itself has become more positioned as a regulated, professional career. The private investigator still gathers evidence for lawsuits, conducts fraud investigations, performs background checks for businesses, and supports lawyers and other legal professionals.

The change in name and legislation makes it clearer for clients to understand the role the professional plays in the investigation and ensures that the work complies with the relevant legislation and ethical standards.

3. The term 'Private Investigator' Is more professional

Using the term "private investigator" gives the profession a more serious, formal image. This helps to strengthen the professional status of the sector and indicates that the role is not about a 'detective' in the traditional sense, but a specialist who gathers facts and evidence for legal and business purposes.

This name change helps improve the perception of the profession. While the term "private detective" was often associated with the popular image of a 'mysterious' investigator, "private investigator" contributes to the image of an expert working within a legal and ethical framework.

4. What does this mean for clients? 

As a client of a private investigator, it is important to understand that their work is now subject to much stricter regulations. The professionalism and transparency of the sector have improved, and the legislation ensures that everything collected is used in a manner fully in line with the law.

For clients, this also means they have more certainty that the information gathered is valid for use in legal proceedings. Additionally, the private investigator cannot simply infringe on an individual's privacy without permission or a valid reason.

5. What can you expect from a Private Investigator? 

A private investigator in Belgium will, according to the law, only use methods that are ethical and legal. This means:

• No covert surveillance or private information is collected without consent.
• All data collection complies with privacy and data protection legislation.
• All investigative results are legally verifiable for use in lawsuits and legal proceedings.                 

Conclusion: The key change in a nutshell

The change from "private detective" to "private investigator" is much more than just a name change. It reflects the professionalization of the field and the need to align the ethics and legislation governing the profession with the modernization of society.

Would you like to learn more about the role of a private investigator and how we can assist you with legal or business investigations? Feel free to get in touch. At Joco Investigations, we operate fully within the legal framework, providing you with the reliability and discretion you can expect from a private investigator.