His demeanor was sharp, composed, and intentionally understated. His gaze swept the room with quiet precision. He had the rugged air of a seasoned operative, evoking a mix of Mike from Breaking Bad and Jim Rockford’s cool intensity, a unique blend of grit, charm, and relatability that sets him apart from the typical private detective. The moment he sat down, I knew we’d found the right guy.
Ronald J. Lowe, a former second-generation NYPD Detective – 2nd Grade, transitioned into a Manhattan – based private investigator after his retirement. With over 40 years in the field, he’s honed his craft in surveillance and embodies the enigmatic allure of a hard-boiled sleuth. I sat down with him to explore the ins and outs of his profession and hear some of his most gripping tales from the streets of New York. His answers offer a vivid, unfiltered glimpse into the life of a professional PI.
What does your work involve?
A lot of my job revolves around surveillance. Clients come to me wondering what someone else is up to – what makes them tick. For example, insurance companies might ask, “Is this person on workers’ comp actually injured, or are they back at work?” They want to know if someone’s using a cane or are they faking their condition. In domestic cases, it’s more personal: “Is my spouse cheating?” or “Why are they always coming home late?”
I also do a lot of people-locating. Reasons vary some requests are business related and some are purely personal. Whether it’s locating a witness for a trial or someone wanting to reconnect with a long-lost parent, friend, or former love. Recently, I helped a man find his mother after 20 years of no contact. It could be about closure, curiosity, or even tracking down someone for legal reasons.
What skills are essential for a PI?
Patience is critical. You can’t teach it it’s innate. You need to stay focused.
Imagine watching a door for eight or ten hours straight, you’re certain your target hasn’t left. You can’t just wander off for coffee or a bathroom break. Any gap in attention means starting over. You’ve got to plan ahead and make sacrifices to stay on task. This isn’t a job for slackers. Plus, you’re handling your own admin work billing, scheduling, all of it.
Can you work outside Virginia?
Yes, I just can’t advertise or solicit new clients in other states, but through my worldwide network of strategic partnerships I can handle a case almost anywhere. Worldwide.
Have you ever worked internationally?
I frequently manage cases globally, leveraging a robust network of strategic partnerships I’ve developed during my four decades in the business, to ensure rapid response times. With contacts in most countries, I can deploy investigators to your case within hours.
Recently, we handled a case for a hedge fund millionaire who suspected his fiancée was hiding details about her past and fidelity during a supposed “girls’ weekend” abroad. Our investigation confirmed his concerns she was a former sex worker and led a double life as a party girl when away from him.
What’s the ideal starting point for locating someone?
I tell clients I need the person’s full name with exact spelling, their date of birth if known, and a last known address from the past is also key. With that, I can often pinpoint someone in a database right away, like, “Oh, here’s their new address – they’re in Philadelphia.”
How do you access those powerful databases?
You need a PI license, and the company vets you thoroughly. You must illustrate that you understand privacy laws and that you won’t misuse the data. Every time I log in, I confirm I’m following the rules and document this. Additionally, clients must provide legitimate reasons for the search—legal documents or court papers help. I also must take them at their word as much as I can, but you’ve got to be careful not to abuse that trust.
Has the internet hurt your business?
Some people think they can find information themselves online, but they’re usually wrong. The databases we use aren’t public—they’re restricted to licensed PIs who know the Privacy Protection Act and other regulations. Most online info is simply open source information, culled from online sources with computerized algorithms without being vetted. The old saying “Garbage in – garbage out” comes to mind.
Do you use the internet in your work?
Sure, it depends on the case and what I’m investigating. Sometimes it’s what we call a desktop investigation and it’s all online or internet based.
Is a law enforcement background required to become a PI?
No, but it’s very common for retired cops to become PIs. That said, police work doesn’t automatically prepare you for this work. It’s a different skill set—less action, more patience and strategy than the average patrol officer is accustomed to, former Detectives however fit right in.
Do you work with local police?
That’s a misconception developed by Hollywood. I come from a police family— my father, uncles, brother, son and nephews—so I’d never ask a Police Officer to risk their career by sharing confidential info. It’s a serious violation, and most cops won’t do it. Some ex-cops get into trouble trying to buy or sell info from active officers, but that’s a quick way to get arrested.
I play it straight no favors, no shortcuts.
If my case, or client, requires that I work with the Police to report an incident or file an official report and supply them with information I’ve developed – then yes, I will cooperate and work with Police.
How much do you charge?
For online and locate cases, it varies, but my daily minimum for field assignments or surveillance is $500 for about four hours. If it’s a bigger case requiring multiple investigators or specialized services, it costs more.
What’s the longest case you’ve worked on?
Some cases can last over a year even longer. If clients are getting valuable intelligence and they deem the results valuable, they’ll keep paying thousands to keep tabs on someone. A recent case hit $150,000 and kept going.
What was your most dangerous case as a PI?
I’ve trailed some rough characters criminals, ‘connected guys’ but one case stands out. A matrimonial case of the friend on a made OC guy, the subject traveled and cavorted late into the night, frequently meeting up with the ‘made’ guy. This other guy never traveled alone, and his group was always alert, always looking for a law enforcement tail, making our job much more difficult. On more than one occasion we had to run and cut off the surveillance so as not to be confronted by the associates.
Do most PIs carry guns?
It varies depending on several factors, and location among them. I did, but I don’t anymore. Many PI’s who are retired cops often do—they frequently have worn a firearm for twenty or more years, it becomes a part of their wardrobe, no different than someone who wears eyeglasses.
Have you ever had a gun pulled on you?
Definitely – over half a dozen times. Cops have drawn on me, not knowing what I was doing. It’s not uncommon to have the local Police contact you while you’re working your case. Often area residents will call local Police reporting a suspicious person and the Police will eventually show up. People get raised up, but it’s rarely about you personally.
What do movies and TV get wrong about PIs?
They show PIs working one case at a time for weeks or months, that’s not real. You’re always juggling multiple cases. Movies get some things right, but they condense decades of crazy experiences into one story. I’ve had exciting cases, but over my entire career – 40 years, not every week.
Any tips for tailing someone?
Surveillance is a developed talent. My advice is never do this yourself.
But if I had to give some tips, I’d say blend in don’t drive a flashy car or wear bright or unique clothes. And lastly – change your look, switch it up. Maintain distance, the distance depends on the environment.
How about tailing by car?
My advice again is never do this yourself. Same principles. On highways, you can keep distance in the city, stay close, one red light or unanticipated turn and you can lose them.
Will PIs still exist in 10 or 20 years?
Absolutely. Surveillance checking if someone’s working, injured, or cheating requires a human touch. No tech can replace blending into a crowd or making split-second decisions.
Have you ever tailed celebrities?
I’ve worked for celebrities but never had a case where they were the subject.
What’s the strangest Case you’ve worked on?
Some investigations involve complex financial matters, high-profile individuals, or sensitive personal and corporate issues. Each case requires careful research, discretion, and thorough documentation, with findings presented objectively and in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Do you often lose people?
Rarely. I’ve been at this a long time. I’m pretty good at keeping up.
