WHAT WE CALL OURSELVES

I ask that the old timers and the experienced pros here excuse this posting as it does not apply to them.

I am seeing more and more people coming into this industry coming up with all kinds of titles, monikers, labels, etc...

Like "Special Agent....", "Agent.....", "U. S. ......", etc. Why ? I do not have the actual stats in front of me to give accurate details, so suffice to say that a fair number of BEA's have been arrested over the years, among other things, on impersonation charges.

In alot of states, the criteria for such a charge is basically this: Any idea, action, statement, or impression that you present to a reasonable person to cause him/her to think you are a leo may constitute a charge of impersonation.

Now please remember, I am speaking generally here, and this is just my own opinion on this matter.

Now I know where the term "Agent" comes from...T Vs T....however, you have to understand the context and the definition of that word during that period of time...the 1800's. The word "Agent" then was defined as "representing someone or something..." "acting on another's behalf"..etc.

Now, the word 'Agent" has multiple definitions...but for this posting I refer to a leo meaning. So my point is this, when you introduce yourself as "Special Agent...' or "Agent..", you are possibly falsely representing yourself to the general public as a leo. I also have another question for those who choose the "Special Agent..." title. What makes you special ?...

When you are appearing in the public eye, with weapons, badges, "police gear", driving ex-cop cars, then you are possibly giving the mistaken impression that you are a cop.

Also, technically speaking, the only time that you are legally empowered as an "agent" is during the life of the investigation up to the apprehension. Once you have completed the case, you no longer have the authority of a BEA until your next appointment.

So technically speaking, no one is a 24/7 "Agent".....

1 last observation....if it was wise, acceptable, appropriate, etc then wouldn't the industry leaders be doing it ?...

_________________
River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

all this samantics about names--what do we do? easy answer we apprehend bail jumpers and are authorized to do so by a bondsmen- there for we are his agents endowed with his authority.
i believe the only correct name is--- bail enforcement agent --- period some use fugitive recovery agent-while its true many fugitives are bail skips many are not and we have no authority to arrest them so fra does not fit
as for special agent who are we special to-- maybe our moms--no one else and we could be charged with impersonation of a fbi agent---as for bounty hunter many of us are paid weekly not by the case so bounty hunter does not fit.I do not work for the us goverment there for i do not use U.S. --a term that also fits is bail recovery agent(i do not like the way it sounds)
when i do repossession work i use the term repossession agent again an accurate discription of what i do.

a little off track here -in my area of operation we are allowed to use badges the one i prefer is a simple gold 5 point star in a chrome ring that says BAIL ENFORCEMENT AGENT in the center of the star is a flag and eagle crest serrounded by the words LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL-AGAIN SIMPLE NO OFFICER NO NUMBERS NO REFERENCE TO ANY ORGANIZATION NOTHING BUT AN ACCURATE DISCRIBTION OF WHAT I AM--i do believe the badge lends an air of authority and also ids me to the good guys-that is important--just my two cents worth people and my opinion

You know what we call our selves should not be as important as what we do and do it in a Professional way, but! to address the question, why don't we call ourselves Professional Bail Enforcement Agents, since doing a job such as this requires Professionalism in all aspects of the Profession, just my three cents on this topic:-0, surley, none of us want to draw any negative attention to us from the media or law enforcement agencies.

Thank you all! and to all! stay alert and safe everyday!

Certain states also classify members of our industry. In indiana, if you write bonds you are a "Bondsman". If you only desire to catch bail jumpers then you are classified as "Recovery Agent".

_________________
-The Solution-
Indiana Agency #: PI20700211
Indiana Notary Public - Exp: 12/20/13

"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath."
- Kingdom of Heaven

Hadley,

I agree that BEA on a shirt looks much better than BRA espicially for you guys.

_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

Kathy you should see me with out my shirt

Mr. Blaylock has raised a point that is very relevant considering ongoing news stories.

While tracking the more dangerous shooters, I have gone completely tactical, with or without police assistance, but no reasonable person could mistake the big bold lettering--BAIL AGENT--on all four sides of my uniform, ALLIED BAIL AGENCIES on three sides, and Bail Fugitive Arrest Team on one side; moreover, I always identify myself right up front as "from the bail bond company."

Anything that I use or used in the field is clearly identified as bail related including my ex-Crown.

On the flip side, I have even gone in wearing nothing but Speedo swim trunks.......don't ask

I concur that 'special agent' is misleading and subject to interpretation by street cops or federal authorities.

'Fugitive Recovery...' has been adopted by some local agencies around here, so that one is out now.

'Bail Enforcement Agent' seems to be the standard where it is legal to use it.

Today we have real estate agents, literary agents, agents of the surety, agents for celebrities, and people who write for a surety in California are licensed as 'bail agents.' Despite the wide use of the word in various fields, perhaps it is best to consider dropping it for bail enforcement. I don't know.

Rex

Since most of the terms used (BEA, Bounty Hunter etc.) are illegal in Arkansas I have been calling myself a Fugitive Investigator. It works for me but, I do not wear any gear with letters blazing across it calling myself one thing or another, That is also illegal here in Arkansas. So I guess the laws here made it easy and less confusing for myself.

I do understand that in some areas of the country you are required to have clothing, badges, identification and such to identify yourselves. I think that it should be a requirement here in my home state but, as of August 1999 they outlawed all of those items from our inventory and we had to think in new ways about our approach to the work.

Okay, I do understand what you are saying, I myself am a licensed Professional Bail Bondsman in the State of PA and call myself a Professional Bail Bond Investigator because I might write bonds and have to investigate to make sure they are telling me the truth.

Thank you

Robert,

I am a 'blazer' when the situation calls for making it absolutley clear that my actions arrive from enforcing a private, civil, bail contract--thus eliminating any problems associated with the "reasonable" person element of impersonation.

However, California law specifically disallows a BEA from the use of any uniform or badge that represents the wearer as any sworn law enforcement officer or belonging any part or department of a federal, state or federal local government, or the display of United States, Bureau, Task Force, Federal or any substantially similar words that a "reasonable person" may mistake for a government agency.

Whether or not to use a uniform or bail related ID patches or even a badge is highly subjective and contingent upon the facts of the investigation (threat level), availablity of police assistance, and the laws of a specific state or local jurisdiction as to whether or not such ID clothing is permissible.

Then we get back to the "reasonable person" discussion.

If one shows up in street clothes but is wearing a gun, pepper spray, baton, handcuffs, raid jacket, badge, and is stating that he or she has 'a warrant for the arrest of' so an so, then the reasonable person can, arguably, state a reasonable belief that he or she thought that the callers are law enforcement by and through the collective ensemble of police-like equipment absent any other bail related identifiers.

My point isn't meant to be argumentative but rather to widen the subject for meaningful discussion regarding the original intent of this thread, which is "What Do We Call Ourselves."

Howabout raid style jackets with the name of the bail bond company or even "BAIL BONDS" where such verbiage is lawful? If one must wear a badge then howabout "Bail Bond Investigator?"

In any case, I would suggest staying away from anything that comes close to a federal agency or even looks like the size, shape, color or wording of any federal agency to include the badge style of the local agency where you are working.

Rex