Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the Union, but it’s one that values freedom and independence as well as law and order. It never ratified the 18th Amendment and was the first state to impose a jail sentence for speeding in an automobile. Occasionally, fugitives fail to appear in court and go on the run from justice. When this happens, bounty hunters track down these fugitives and return them to justice. Learn what it takes to pursue this exciting career in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Bounty Hunter Requirements
While there are no specific laws regulating bounty hunters in Rhode Island it is highly recommended that anyone seeking to pursue this career become a licensed professional bondsman or private investigator. If nothing else, this process will provide valuable training, credentials and knowledge of the bail enforcement process.
Basic State Requirements
- Education: While there is no specific training required, criminal justice education is recommended.
- Age: You will need at minimum to be a legal adult.
- Degree: A degree in criminal justice helps to increase your skills and training.
- Experience: To become a P.I. you must have at least 5 years of experience as a police officer or investigator or have equivalent experience or training. Professional bondsmen are encouraged to work under the guidance of an experienced mentor.
- Citizenship: You must be a legal resident or U.S. Citizen.
Additional Requirements
- Background Screening: To become a professional bondsman or P.I. you may not have any felony convictions or have had a private detective license revoked or denied, must not suffer from addiction, and must not have been declared incompetent by the courts due to mental disease. This requires a fingerprint background check.
Rhode Island Bounty Hunter License
- License Application: You apply for licensure as a Private Investigator through a local authority where you will be working (your town’s clerk’s office). The application fee for licensure is $150.
- Licensure: Your license must be renewed annually, costs $150, and the renewal must be submitted at least 30 days before your license expires.
Rhode Island Bounty Hunter Rhode Island
Degrees that are often pursued by bounty hunters include criminal justice, law enforcement, forensics, psychology, law and government, and sociology.
Major Cities in Rhode Island
Major cities in Rhode Island include Providence (home of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft), Newport, Warwick, and Cranston.
Job Duties of a Bounty Hunter in Rhode Island
Duties of bounty hunters in Rhode Island include ensuring that all those under bond are presented to the court on their scheduled date. While arrest authority is not expressly granted to bondsmen, it is implied under the Rhode Island code; however, to ensure that you are entirely above board, bounty hunters in this state should always closely work in conjunction with local law enforcement.
Related Careers
Careers that are similar to the professional bondsman include court process servers and private detectives.
Employment Numbers in Rhode Island
Employment numbers for bounty hunters, though not tracked by the BLS, are based on those for private detectives. These indicate that as of 2015, there were 70 working investigators throughout the state.
Rhode Island Bounty Hunter Salary
Salary numbers, also based on PIs, indicate an average annual salary in the state of $46,180.
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in Rhode Island
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in Rhode Island
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Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. Private investigators are used by law firms, law enforcement, insurance companies, as well as individuals to conduct investigations to build criminal and civil cases. A degree related to criminal justice could benefit an aspiring private investigator greatly. Request information from multiple schools to find the best program and educational opportunity for you!