About Us
Richard James Founder & Director
I never dreamed of joining the police force when I left school. In fact, I always wanted to be an athlete. But following a serious hip injury that cut short my aspirations of being a sprinter, I joined the Police Service when a family friend suggested that I could pursue a rugby career there.
However, within the first week in the academy, I decided that I did not want to be known as a rugby player first and a police officer second by my new colleagues. So, I resolved to become a Police Officer and not take the “easier” path of playing rugby and being guaranteed to every weekend off and time off to train – a decision that would change the course of my life.
Today, with more than three decades of investigative practice in both Australia and the UK, I combine the industry’s best methodologies, techniques and technology with sound strategy, effective communication and experienced investigative management; to provide a premium service for clients to secure empowering evidence that will be accepted in any Australian court.
Richard’s proactive approach means he is quick to respond and able to deliver evidence within strict time frames. He goes above and beyond to support his clients, making them feel supported and assured at every stage of the investigation.
Our Affliates
Surveillance is second nature
I’ve always had an affinity with being a Private Investigator. Even before I completed my two-year probation as a new graduate in the South Wales Police Forces, UK, my supervisors spotted my talent and assigned me to work undercover where I began my journey into investigating major crime.
From specialising in covert operations, to developing operational strategies, to training surveillance teams, to managing evidence, to heading a police station, I spent 14 great years with the South Wales Police Force in the UK. I was promoted to Detective Sergeant in 2000 where I worked for the last four years of my police service responsible for developing and managing covert operations in support of major crime investigation on behalf of the South Wales Police Service.
In 2004 I relocated to Melbourne Australia, where I commenced my career in the field of corruption investigation. I started off working for a Victorian based corruption agency, working alongside both State and Commonwealth departments investigating corruption within Victoria as a surveillance/under cover operative. Four years later I joined another state corruption agency to lead a team of covert surveillance operatives whilst also providing advice and training for the Australian Federal Police, Department of Defence and ASIO on operational and training best practice
What’s special about RIVICA
Here at Rivica we help with infidelity investigations, forensic surveillance, corporate investigations and more. By developing my own training courses, my aim is to raise the standards of the Australian private investigators sector; enabling them to provide high quality, high value services that achieve excellent results.
From personally training scores of investigators, I have a large and diverse team to select from. Understanding each member’s strength is crucial to ensure the right fit for a job specification. And by personally managing each assignment, I draw from almost 30 years of experience to anticipate risk and minimise exposure to get results.
“The experience and knowledge I have gained from working with the numerous agencies throughout the UK and Australia has provided me with an extremely unique and specialised knowledge of investigative techniques; and in particular covert methodologies, which I am now able to utilise as the principal investigator for the benefit of our clients.”
Our promise is to offer a premium service for clients who have unique requirements. We manage the collection, the storage and the presentation of all evidence, ensuring that it is in line with State evidentiary rules and legislative requirements, and will be accepted at any Australian Court.
