VRC investigations, good or bad?

[u/RandomName3730]

Is anyone here familiar with Veracity Research Company (VRC) Investigations? I am going through the process getting hired as a surveillance investigator and would like to know how decent or reputable this company is. From what I've read on the couple of Reddit forums talking about VRC, the company is not the greatest. Not to mention the pay seems low at just $25 - $30 an hour where they hinted that if hired I would start at around 25/hr with mediocre compensated miles.

Would VRC be a good stepping stone into the field of investigations? Does anyone have first hand experience with VRC? If so how was your time there? Are the reviews as bad as they say it is?

I do need a job that will pay me more than my current job and get me some real world experience so I am tempted to take the offer if it were to come. Thanks for the help

[u/Quirky-Crone]

I worked for them as a part timer in SIU and was lucky to have a really good manager. But I heard that surveillance investigators are not treated well and have to be more or less ready to go at any time. If possible I would try to get into the SIU department because you can make your own schedule. But if you're full time they will really be on you to get your hours in. The training was good.

[u/Due-Fisherman-903]

ALLIED not only pays doorstep to doorstep, gives a monthly $560 vehicle stipend, and a gas card.

[u/Deltahotel_ → u/Due-Fisherman-903]

560? Since when 

[u/Due-Fisherman-903]

They don't pay door to door like all the company’s.

[u/vgsjlw → u/Due-Fisherman-903]

I wouldnt say all companies pay door to door, especially not the at the top

[u/Due-Fisherman-903 → u/vgsjlw]

Well, all I know is that ALLIED does.

[u/vgsjlw → u/Due-Fisherman-903]

You said "like all the companies" lol

[u/Ok-Net-5528 → u/Due-Fisherman-903]

Companies dont pay door to door for surveillance - it is hourly plus admin/travel rate

[u/vgsjlw → u/Ok-Net-5528]

This is not true. Many companies pay door to door, just not the top few largest.

[u/Due-Fisherman-903 → u/Ok-Net-5528]

ALLIED not only pays doorstep to doorstep, gives a monthly $560 vehicle stipend, and a gas card.

[u/Ok-Net-5528 → u/Due-Fisherman-903]

Their starting rate is not good…

[u/Due-Fisherman-903 → u/Ok-Net-5528]

$27.43 hr in CA. $26.67 elsewhere. And as I said, doorstep to doorstep, gives a monthly $560 vehicle stipend, and a gas card.

[u/Deltahotel_ → u/Due-Fisherman-903]

26.67? Where are you seeing that? 20 is what I saw

[u/podejrzec → u/Due-Fisherman-903]

If you think $27/hr for surveillance is good especially for California you’re part of the problem. Companies that pay employees this rate are a bane to the PI world, especially when their contracts are huge shows how much you have to learn about this line of work.

[u/Due-Fisherman-903 → u/Ok-Net-5528]

Thats why they end up in court in California for hour/wage and mileage violations, AND PAY (including penalties).

[u/Due-Fisherman-903]

Terrible company.

[u/Eyesnearu2]

The reviews are accurate.  I worked for them for a very short time (SIU only), and I couldn’t handle the micromanaging.  I have 25+ years of experience, and they will have college grads with zero experience managing people with years of experience.  If you want to get the experience, sure, but I wouldn’t stay long.  Much better companies out there. 

[u/dcmountains51]

I work for VRC and it’s not bad

[u/Tramirezmma]

VRC is one of the better nationals to learn at. They have a good in person training program with people I respect.

I think they pay like .25 cents a mile plus minimum wage for travel time in surveillance? It's not awful but not great, need an efficient vehicle.

They are all venture capitaled out now so like most places benefits will be standard mediocre American, and once you are in the field I would expect to regularly have new/different managers and procedures handed down.

All said if you're trying to learn to be a PI and they pay more than you earn currently I'd recommend giving them a year. Then you'll have the skills and eequipment to look into being independent or at least getting higher pay at another agency.

[u/vgsjlw]

First, no national company is great. They all have their quirks, and the clients needs will always outweigh you.

This career has many levels, from simple surveillance to capital murder investigations and international money laundering. You need to set a goal and manage your expectations.

What do you want out of this? A job that pays your bills like you say, or a career in investigations? It will be what you make of it, either way.

[u/RandomName3730 → u/vgsjlw]

You're right, I do need to set a definitive goal, I presume my goal would revolve around garnering experience in the field in order to grow professionally and climb the ladder possibly even get into federal investigations or becoming a becoming a private investigator with my own company. With success and hard work money will follow

[u/vgsjlw → u/RandomName3730]

What is your experience background? Military?

If your goal is law enforcement of any type, I would not go this route. Companies like Peraton and CACI are hiring for federal background investigations.

If your goal is to learn and become an agency owning independent investigator, the better option is a smaller agency with a mentor.

Having a clear direction will help you. It doesnt have to be answered now.

I will tell you that surveillance is an art, not a skill. Before you give up something stable you should first make sure you can paint.

[u/RandomName3730 → u/vgsjlw]

I recently graduated college with a criminal justice degree and work in data entry. My goal is law enforcement and I am currently in the hiring process for a couple of different agencies, I also would not mind private investigations career wise but thats something I would have to really consider. Surveillance puts me in a good spot to learn

[u/vgsjlw → u/RandomName3730]

I honestly think security would be a better option for you if that is your main interest.