Her Story
About Johnelle
Johnelle Barwise is a Surveillance Investigator in the Special Investigations Unit with over six years of experience in private investigations. She is currently contracted simultaneously by three agencies, Delta Group (joined approximately three months ago), Lemieux and Associates (ten months), and Command Investigations (since July), allowing her flexibility to manage her schedule while conducting surveillance on cases such as workers' compensation claims. Prior to focusing fully on investigations, she worked as a litigation paralegal in an equipment finance company for six or seven years, where she also used her license for equipment recovery. Barwise earned her master's degree in Criminal Justice, specializing in victimology, from the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut. She is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, and attributes her success to her parents' emphasis on education and perseverance, as well as motivation from her two sons.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Johnelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
My parents pushed me to get the best education and stay focused on my goals in this field. I've gone through a lot in life but always wanted more and better. My two boys also motivate me as my oldest is now interested in the field and I bring him on surveillance sometimes.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Network and get past the social norms that scare women away from certain titles. Women are natural spies, multitaskers, and can thrive in this field using our wired abilities to get information, build genuine rapport, and be professional. We should dominate this field.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Learning each agency's different systems and protocols simultaneously while ensuring alignment with their specific requirements and quirks. It's a learning curve but the general job is straightforward.
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