PRINTOn the Job: Private Investigator
Q&A with Melinda Kidder
Sarah Flagg
Private Investigator Melinda Kidder
June 3, 2009 | 12:00 p.m. CST
Between hanging with her little girl and practicing martial arts, Melinda Kidder scopes out scenes to get the dirt on unanswered questions and finds out some unwanted information, too (like public officials taking a leak). No, she’s not a stalker or a creep but a highly experienced private investigator who has never been caught in her line of work and doesn’t plan on it either.
How did you get into your field of business?
There was an ad in the newspaper looking for two investigators. Out of 250 interviews, I got one of the spots. There is no acknowledged degree to be a private investigator, but I have a degree in the administration of justice from UMKC. I love figuring out mysteries. If it’s a family matter or criminal case, it’s a mystery that needs to be figured out for someone. It’s an issue that needs to be resolved.
Describe your daily routine.
It can be working on the computer all day doing background checks, research, phone calls to keep
clients posted, database searches. Or, it can be out in the field doing undercover work and (legal) pretext or surveillance, which can be a long, boring day. Simply depends on the day, and a day that has all three is really long.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn?
It is harder than it looks, and it is more boring than it appears on television.
What is the best part of your job?
Helping people. I supposed it’s always nice to deliver information that will help them find a positive resolution.
NAME: Melinda Kidder
AGE: 38
COMO RESIDENT SINCE: 2000
AT JOB SINCE: 2005
What is the worst part of your job?
Dealing with cases like child abuse where the subject matter is pretty emotional and trying to stay separate.
What is your most memorable on-the-job moment?
Seeing a public works person relieve himself on the side of a house while doing surveillance.
He was not the subject of the surveillance; he was just going to come, do his thing and leave.
What superhero power do you wish you had?
Mind reading. It would make my job a lot easier.
What is one word that describes you?
Silly. With an eight-year-old, I think my better half often wonders who is raising whom. You have to be silly to raise kids.
What is one thing you wish scientists could invent?
Genetic coding for people to be able to amicably resolve their problems. Of course, then I’d probably be out of a job.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Prepare for all possibilities. On this job, chances are your batteries are going to run out, so you better have backups. Your camera is probably going to go dead or not work, so you better have a backup. If you think you have all routes of departure covered, you better plan that there is probably another one.
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Thanks for a more realistic picture of the investigative profession than we usually receive on television. You've done a good job of painting the portrait of a very human, kind, funny, generous and yet competent professional woman. Ms. Kidder is clearly unpretentious, comfortable in her own skin and aware enough of her own strengths not to need to bluster and brag. She is someone I would trust with my case.
Posted by Vicki Siedow on Jun 5, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. (Report Comment)