STEPS TO BECOMING A CMPS FIELD INVESTIGATOR
Step 1: You have already taken the first step by joining CMPS or renewing your membership. Only members in good standing can be promoted to Field Investigator status.
Step 2: Meet the criteria below
· Must be at least 18 years of age
· Must have a clean criminal record.
· Must be drug free.
· Must be alcohol free when investigating for CMPS
· Must be willing to travel up to 120 miles from home.
· Must be professional and maintain a decent appearance while investigating.
· Must have a good working knowledge of Paranormal Phenomena and Investigation procedures.
· Must be willing to follow CMPS protocol and guidelines for investigations.
· Must have a valid and in good standing driver's license.
· Must be willing to participate in ongoing training through CMPS
Step 3: Purchase a copy of the CMPS Field Investigator’s Manual at http://www.cmpsonline.net or send in the application form on the back. To ensure that only competent investigators conduct witness interviews, on-site investigations and collateral contacts with public agencies and others, formal Field Investigator training is required and essential. The CMPS Field Investigator’s Manual is the basic reference for training. All trainees must possess an original copy of the Manual and become completely familiar with its contents.
Step 4: Self study the CMPS Field Investigator Manual or attend training classes conducted by CMPS Headquarters (if available). Then complete the open book CMPS Field Investigator’s exam, a copy of which is included in the Field Investigator’s Manual.
In order to be promoted to the position of Field Investigator, every member must achieve a favorable score on the CMPS Field Investigator’s Exam (passing overall score of at least 80%). The purpose of administering the exam is to evaluate the individual’s practical knowledge in respect to potential paranormal reports from the public. The exam consists of 100 questions in specific areas.
Before engaging in an actual investigation stemming from a paranormal report, the Field investigator Trainee needs thorough grounding in the following areas:
· Investigative Ethics. Most importantly the Trainee must understand and adhere to the tenet of anonymity (withholding witness identifiers from persons who are not part of the paranormal report investigation or its evaluation within CMPS).
· Interviewing Methods. Preparation, controlling the setting, sequence of obtaining a complete account, recognizing sensory perceptions, analyzing witness body language, active listening, interpreting the oral account, and drawing conclusions are vitally important.
· Collateral Contacts. In a given circumstance, the Trainee must be aware of which public officials and/or others to contact to potentially resolve the report as misperception, determine the person’s reliability as a witness or identify others who have witnessed and reported the same event.
· Technical Background: A working knowledge should be conveyed by the Trainee on the subjects of weather, use of investigative equipment, etc.
Step 4:
Once you pass your exam and achieve Field Investigator Trainee status, you must accompany a current experienced CMPS Field Investigator on at least three live investigations before attempting an investigation on your own. Please contact the Director of CMPS to coordinate these opportunities.
We hope you join our investigative team and help us to solve paranormal mysteries.