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The M.C.P.I. is proud to bestow three separate awards upon
both members and non-members who have demonstrated various
investigative attributes worthy of recognition. Presentation
of the Awards usually made at the Annual Meeting in September.
Each year the Awards Committee and Board of Directors accept
nominations from the membership. Anyone wishing to nominate
an investigator is asked to subject that nomination before
August 1.
All nominations should be secondhand and the Awards Committee
will be responsible for authentication.
The M.C.P.I. Investigative Excellence Award -
Awarded to the person, who through their personal efforts
has demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism,
ethical practice, integrity and tenacity, which best exemplifies
and reflects the highest qualities of an Investigator. (This
Award is available to any investigator, public or private
sector, in the Nation.)
The M.C.P.I Professionalism Award -
Awarded to the person, who through their personal efforts,
has greatly contributed to the advancement, improvement
and promotion of the Council and the Investigation Profession.
(This shall be awarded to MCPI members, associate members,
past and present.)
The M.C.P.I Pinnacle
Award - This award is for those that may not fall within the guidelines
of the other two awards given by the MCPI. It will be used
to recognize people that have made a difference for the
investigative profession and will be awarded at the awards
committee and board of directors’ discretion. Examples:
Politicians, regulators, vendors, PI’s in other states
that helped the MCPI or its members in some capacity, other
state or national PI.
Investigative Excellence Award
The 2010 Investigative Excellence award was presented to Jill Hillier of Hill Investigations, LLC, for her personal efforts in demonstrating the highest levels of professionalism, ethical practice, integrity and tenacity, which best exemplifies and reflects the highest qualities of an investigator
Jill Hillier, often times called Jill Hill as a nick name, owns HILL INVESTIGATIONS, LLC focusing on workers’ compensation surveillances, general surveillance, child custody investigation, fraud detection and prevention, etc. Her actual training is in interviewing and interrogating mostly for retail investigations.
When Jill takes on a case, she focuses mainly on the importance of preparation. She believes that what success she has in field is a result of the research and intensity she uses preparing before the actual work. She has an excellent product with nice clear videotape and a report that is grammatically correct.
Jill’s values as a person always shine through in her work too. She has principles of honor and integrity, a great degree of professionalism, and the utmost regard for confidentiality.
This year she received a case starting in January that was a corporate investigation. She was originally assigned a few people to conduct surveillance and determine their work habits. Jill went above and beyond for this one…..she dug really deep and investigated beyond the clients expectations. Due to her tenacity, the assignment turned into over 35 individuals that were under surveillance. The client was amazed!
Jill gave 110% every day during this case, while at the same time caring for her ill mother and carrying a burden of hurt on the inside because of her family situation.
MCPI applauds Jill for her strength and focus she utilized to pursue the investigation and care for her family. Job well done! |
Wayne Bullen presents the 2010 Investigative Excellence Award to Jill Hillier, Hill Investigations
Previous Investigative Excellence Award Winners
2009 – M. L. Elrick & Jim Schaefer
2008 – Daryn Rollins
2007– Victor Lauria
2006 – Steve Wilson
2005 – William Randall
2004 – Det. Sgt. Robert Lesneski (Michigan State Police)
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Jill has 20 years in the investigative field. Most of her career has been in retail loss prevention where she held several positions including Regional Loss Prevention Manager. She was responsible for over 160 stores in 7 states, minimizing inventory losses and conducting internal investigations. Jill has fostered very successful relationships with the FBI, Secret Service, and local and state police.
Jill has an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and Security from Oakland Community College - Cum Laude. Jill has also received certification with Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates, Inc. in Interview and Interrogation Techniques, and certification in both Reid I and Reid - Advanced training in Interview and Interrogation Techniques. Hill Investigations, LLC are proud members of the National Association of Investigative Specialists (NAIS) and Michigan Council for Private Investigators (MCPI).
Jill has built Hill Investigations, LLC to stand for professionalism, integrity, and discretion. The company’s goal is to provide its clients with the information they need to move on with their lives. |
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Professionalism Award
No award presented for 2010
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Previous Professionalism
Award Winners
2009 – Bruce H Hulme
2008 – Russell J. Rheaume
2007 – Linda Milam
2006 – Pat Clawson
2005 – Al Cavasin
2004 – John Sydenstricker and Peter Psarouthakis
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Pinnacle Award
The 2010 Pinnacle Award was presented to Peter Psarouthakis for his unrelenting work in the legislative arena through ISPLA and his work on the legislative committee of the MCPI.
Peter Psarouthakis founded EWI & Associates, Inc. in 1995 and has been a licensed professional investigator since that time. He provides investigative services to a wide range of corporate, law firm and government clients throughout the United States. He is also a credentialed contract special investigator for several United States government agencies, performing national security clearance background investigations.
Since 2000 Mr. Psarouthakis has played a major role in legislative affairs impacting the professional investigation and security services professions on both the state and national levels.
During the 2001 and 2002 Michigan legislative session Mr. Psarouthakis helped lead the redrafting of the Michigan Private Detective Act of 1965. In 2008 Governor Granholm signed the second redrafting of the Michigan Private Detective Act, which Mr. Psarouthakis also helped draft and lobby for to become law.
Mr. Psarouthakis has been instrumental in other legislative events that have had a direct impact on the Private Investigation profession in Michigan. With his leadership the MCPI was able to gain exemption status for Licensed Private Investigators from the “restricted zones” of the concealed pistol permits law in Michigan. Additionally, many privacy and anti-surveillance bills were either stopped completely or amended within the legislature, both in Michigan as well as Washington D.C. that would have had a negative impact on the Private Investigation profession.
His most notable legislative moment so far came when he lead Michigan Professional Investigators in a lobbying effort that resulted in the repeal of service taxes on professional investigators and security providers. This repeal occurred in 2007 and is the only known repeal on a tax of this kind for investigative and security professionals. |
Wayne Bullen presents the
2010 Pinnacle Award to
Peter Psarouthakis, EWI & Associates.
Previous Pinnacle Award Winners
2008 -
Michigan State Representative Barbara Farrah and Michigan State Senator Alan Sanborn
2004 -
Michigan State Representative Larry Julian |
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Mr. Psarouthakis is the current Chairman of the executive committee for Investigative & Security Professionals for Legislative Action (ISPLA), the first ever national Political Action Committee representing the combined Professional Investigator and Security Guard professions. He is a current board member and Past-President of the Michigan Council of Private Investigators. He continues to serve as their legislative chairman.
Mr. Psarouthakis is a former board of director’s member and served as the1st. and 3rd Vice President of the National Council of Investigation and Security Services. His service in those capacities was from 2001-2009. He also serves as the current Legislative Committee Chairman for the National Association of Legal Investigators.
Peter Psarouthakis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and an Associates degree in Law Enforcement, both from The University of Toledo. He is also a member of ASIS International (Investigation Council member), INTELLENT, Council of International Investigators, International High Technology Crime Investigation Association, Espionage Research Institute and Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Science. |
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