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Two weeks ago, NCISS members convened in Washington, D.C. for our annual "Hit the Hill" legislative advocacy event. We collectively met with over 75 members of Congress and staff to let them know what issues are important to the private investigator and security guard professions.

Hit the Hill is an annual opportunity for individual professionals to meet with lawmakers in Washington to discuss issues that may affect our industry. We help inform and educate lawmakers and staff on the impacts of legislation on our profession as well as our justice system and society. Hit the Hill gives us a voice in Washington so that lawmakers can hear first-hand from investigators and security professionals how laws may impact our ability to work and serve the public.

When bills are introduced, it is crucial that lawmakers understand our roles in society and how laws can inadvertently exclude investigators and security professionals from the necessary access we need to effectively do our jobs. During our Hit the Hill meetings with legislators, we focused on various aspects of the law that can impact us and presented ourselves as a resource for when bills arise. Being visible can be a challenge on Capitol Hill, but this show of force enables us to have a meaningful impact on legislation.

Some of the topics we discussed with congressional staff include:

• Worker classification rules for independent contractors vs. employees
• Judicial security and protection for judges and court staff
• Data privacy regulations targeting data brokers
• Concerns about reduced access to data for law enforcement and investigators
• Children’s data protection and privacy rights
• Need to balance privacy laws with legitimate investigative and public safety needs

If you were unable to attend Hit the Hill this year, or were on the fence about joining, NCISS encourages you to join next year. Mark your calendar for March 22-25, 2027. Hit the Hill is an exciting and powerful opportunity make our voice heard and help shape the course of our profession for the good and ensure our ability to serve our clients. You'll also get to meet and network with colleagues from across the country. 

Find the photo album from the event Here.


Congratulations to our Jim Zimmer scholarship recipient, Raheem Williams, current senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Read about his experience below:

Being part of this year's annual Hit the Hill (HTH) with NCISS was a formative experience for me and I can confidently say that I’ve left with an insight into private investigations that’s unparalleled. From the first moment I arrived the atmosphere was inviting, as senior investigators from all ends of the country provided an unending amount of insight on their numerous investigative practices and the policies that affected them. I was able to speak with experts in a plethora of professions ranging from surveillance, forensic accounting and even drone piloting– this experience opened my eyes to just how versatile the P.I world can be and solidified my desire to find my place in it. Aside from this, Hit the Hill was an amazing “behind the curtains” look at the process of legislative advocacy that NCISS stands for every year. I learned about the nuances in how impactful legislation is on not only the investigative profession but also the general community– this intersection of privacy and information is something that P.I’s thrive in and it was interesting to see just how deeply it interwove with how the public would also be affected. I was initially intimidated by the idea of going along and meeting congressmen but by the end of the first day our preparation had completely eased me as I went into capitol hill with a deeper sense of legislative understanding and confidence. Along the way senior investigators offered me advice and resources to help build professional skills such as public speaking and networking, expressing care in my growth as an investigator and welcoming me with open arms. My experience at this year's HTH has left a lasting effect on me and my development toward my future in this career. I'm thankful for the opportunity and I’ll continue to make the best of what I’ve learned going forward.

NCISS extends its thanks to all who volunteered their time to attend and make this event a great success! We especially thank our generous sponsors: