July 9, 2021

We wish to take a moment to publicly welcome RAE SUVERKRUBBE of the Greater Omaha metro area as our newest senior member.  Ms. Suverkrubbe brings many years' experience and a wealth of knowledge to her investigative disciplines, and we are proud to have her join our organization.  Welcome, Rae!

Shawn Kasal has forgotten more about digital forensics than most people in this profession will ever know.  An adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and recognized as an expert witness in state district, federal, and military courts, Mr. Kasal boasts a knowledge of digital forensics that is broad, historical, and at the same time relevant and applicable to technologies and methods in use in the present day.  Mr. Kasal gave an extensive, deep and thorough dive into this world of things that we as a consumer public hear about every day, but can only begin to fathom in regards to methods, details, and impact.  Due to the arbitrarily sensitive nature of the information and methods discussed in this presentation -- some of which involved real law enforcement cases right here in the Omaha/Lincoln area -- much of what was discussed cannot be named in this forum.  Needless to say, Mr. Kasal gave an impressive presentation and we are deeply grateful to him for his sharing of time and knowledge.

On  January 9, 2019 John Gale retired as secretary of state and, on  January 10, 2019 Robert N. Evnen was sworn in as the 27th Nebraska  secretary of state.  This also makes him the ultimate authority  regarding the governance of all types of license holders, including the industry of professional investigators, in the state of Nebraska.

We look forward to working with Secretary Evnen and wish him well as he begins his career as secretary of state.

The famous criminal defense attorney and one of American Trial  Lawyers' Top 100 Lawyers James Martin Davis (of the Davis Law Office, Omaha, NE,  www.jamesmartindavis.com) gave a very informative presentation in a  previously-recorded segment from our archives.  Mr. Davis, who can list  among his professional accomplishments being both a former intelligence asset  for the United States government, and being a former Secret Service agent,  offered a presentation on laws pertaining to the investigative profession and  industry, offering both concrete examples of said laws, as well as commonsense  reasons why these laws are relevant, and potential penalties for the violations  of those laws.  NALPI wishes to also take this moment to thank  Mr. Davis for previously taking the time out of his very frenetic schedule  to speak on these time-sensitive and extremely relevant  issues that can potentially impact all Nebraska licensed investigators, and for  the effectiveness of his presentation. 

The association would like to thank Brooke Sieff, forensic science teacher at Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska, who gave a presentation and spoke at length on forensic learning.  This involved statistics and handouts, as well as exercises designed to test our individual abilities to discern and recall detail.  The results were both entertaining and enlightening, and Ms. Sieff's extensive educational background (degrees in psychology, teaching, and literacy, as well as extensive backgrounds as a teacher, social worker and others) made her an engaging personality who was able to successfully impart information while creating rapport with the audience.  The broader topic itself reminded us how many disciplines and applications there are when considering the word "forensics," and how important it is that even licensed and experienced investigators keep their minds open to new ways of learning.  The association wishes to once again thank Ms. Sieff for her time and for willingness to speak at length on these matters.

The association would like to thank Assistant Federal Public Defender Jessica MIlburn (from the office of the Federal Public Defender - District of Nebraska) for a very insightful and informative presentation on the fundamentals of criminal defense work, and the role that professional investigators can and do play in the process.  Ms. Milburn's fifteen years' worth of experience offered not only extensive knowledge as to the process of criminal defense at the federal level, but also personal insight gained from various cases in which she was involved.  Colored with both humorous and serious personal anecdotes, the presentation was followed by a vigorous Q&A session where members were able to follow up with their own questions.  Good exchanges were made and insights gained from the presentation, and we wish to again thank Ms. MIlburn and her office (more specifically, Mr. Dave Stickman) for their willingness to educate the membership on these matters.

The association would like to thank Current Senior Attorney, Assistant City Prosecutor Michael Winchester, of the City of Omaha's legal department, for the presentation entitled "Looking Back on Thirty Years of Prosecution."  Mr. Winchester's hard-hitting factual and anecdotal presentation explaining the true nature of the process was beneficial to the investigators who can typically only see one side of the process.  The association wishes to thank Mr. Winchester for offering his time and insights into making the presentation.

Former NALPI board members Steve Koenig and Tom Gorgen offered an excellent joint presentation entitled "40 Years of Surveillance."  While specifics cannot be discussed here as certain elements are considered proprietary and some anecdotal details involve real-life cases, we wish to extend our thanks to both men for offering tremendous insights into their decades of firsthand experience in the realms of law enforcement and professional investigations.  From real-life experiences to equipment to vehicles and techniques, the presentation was a great success and was greatly appreciated.  NALPI wishes to also take this moment to thank both of these men for their years of continued service while serving on the boards of multiple professional associations, in both Nebraska and beyond our state borders.

OMAHA – Recently, an unknown individual using the name "Sean  Jackson" and claiming to be an "investigator" who was working for a "private  source" was reported to NALPI by the director of security of a large business in  the greater Omaha area.  This individual made contact with the director by  e-mail using an unbranded Hotmail account "seanjacksson@hotmail.com"  and attached a picture of a young woman who appeared to be in her late  teens/early twenties.  The image was blurry and appeared to have been taken  covertly.  "Sean Jackson" requested assistance for the director of security  in determining  the young woman's name and identity.  As he claimed to  be an "investigator" in the original e-mail, the director contacted our  organization to attempt to confirm the licensing status of "Sean Jackson."

With the cooperation and resources of the Nebraska Secretary of State's  Licensing Division in Lincoln, it was solidly determined that this individual  "Sean Jackson" does NOT hold a current license as either a Plain Clothes  Investigator or Private Detective.  No references were immediately  available showing anyone with this name affiliated with any licensed Private  Detective Agency in the State of Nebraska.

This raises the larger issue of identity verification when interacting with  licensed versus non-licensed individuals.  The public should be aware that  licensed investigators are overseen by the state and must pass thorough  background checks, have thousands of hours of relevant experience, and pass  written proficiency tests before being issued their licenses.   Understanding the need for verifiable credentials, investigators and detectives  are then issued hard plastic identification cards by the licensing division and  this identification should be produced for your review upon demand.  The  cards show a studio photograph of the investigator, their legal name, license  number, identification card issuance and expiration dates, and Private Detective  Agency affiliation (if relevant).  On the back of the card is a mailing  address and a telephone number (402.471.2385) where an individual's licensing  status can be verified during regular business hours.

If you have a doubt regarding the validity of someone claiming to be a  private investigator of some type, do not be afraid to ask for identification.   A legitimate investigator is accustomed to being challenged on occasion for  credentials and they should not offended to offer you verifiable proof of identity  and professional status.  If identification is not produced, or if you have  doubts that the identification is real, you can call the number listed above or  local law enforcement.

Individuals holding themselves out to the public as being licensed  investigators if they are not are guilty of a Class II Misdemeanor under  Nebraska revised statue number 71-2302.  These individuals need to be  reported to law enforcement and interviewed to determine their true status and  intent.

Remember that anyone can "investigate" a matter, because the word itself  means to try to find out facts or information about a matter, and people do this  every day in their own lives.  But when one goes so far as to claim to be  an "investigator" as a title, there are legal considerations and consequences.   Do not be afraid to ask questions before sharing information.

Above all, be safe.

- Brett Brodersen, PI, PCI, PIE

President, Nebraska Association of Licensed Private Investigators