Business Details
42 Years
experience
Trusted Private Investigation Services in St. Paul, MN
Founded in 1984 by Robert McDowell, our agency has dedicated over 30 years to delivering reliable background investigation and pre-employment screening services. We serve schools, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies nationwide, prioritizing accuracy and client satisfaction. Our team of licensed private investigators holds degrees in Criminal Justice or Criminology, ensuring expertise in every report. Utilizing advanced technology, we maintain an average turnaround time of less than 48 hours while adhering to strict quality control standards.With a client retention rate exceeding 98%, we focus on personalized service, designing tailored programs to meet unique organizational needs. Our commitment extends beyond data collectionwe recognize the impact of our work on individuals' lives and futures, ensuring every result undergoes review by a licensed professional before release. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, we combine local expertise with national reach to protect organizations through comprehensive screening solutions.
Services
Criminal Background Screening
Drug Testing
Employment Verification
International Background Checks
Industry-Specific Searches
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We maintain a 98% client retention rate through personalized service
- Our average turnaround time for background checks is under 48 hours
- All reports are reviewed by licensed private investigators with criminal justice degrees
- We specialize in designing customized screening programs for unique organizational needs
- Our team has over 30 years of combined experience in private investigation
What people say
Excellent and prompt customer service
Fast accurate results
Knowledgeable professionals
Responsive to requests
Cut costs without compromising quality
Services
Criminal Background Screening
Our criminal background screening service delivers comprehensive reports verified by licensed investigators. Using multiple data sources and advanced technology, we ensure accurate results reviewed by professionals with criminal justice expertise. Clients receive detailed insights to support informed hiring decisions while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations.
Drug Testing
We offer drug testing services as part of pre-employment screening programs. Our protocols follow industry standards for sample collection and laboratory analysis. Results are integrated with background checks to provide complete candidate evaluations while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Employment Verification
Our employment verification service confirms work history through direct contact with previous employers. We validate job titles, dates of employment, and rehire eligibility to ensure accurate candidate assessments. This service integrates with background screening packages for comprehensive hiring solutions.
International Background Checks
We provide international background checks through a network of verified partners. Our specialists navigate country-specific regulations to deliver accurate criminal record information. This service supports multinational organizations requiring global candidate screening while maintaining compliance with local laws.
Industry-Specific Searches
People
Amy Fitzgerald
Chief Financial Officer
Amy Fitzgerald oversees all financial operations and human resources at McDowell Agency. With over 20 years of experience, she manages budgeting, compliance, and strategic planning while ensuring financial stability for the organization.
Tim Landsberger
Vice President
Tim Landsberger leads sales strategy and client retention efforts. As an industry expert with 15+ years of experience, he develops growth initiatives and frequently speaks on criminal background screening best practices for organizational safety.
Taylor Moses
Director of Operations
Taylor Moses manages client satisfaction and customer service operations. A licensed private investigator since 2018, she oversees daily operations while balancing team leadership with direct client support responsibilities.
Claudia Watson
Lead Record Researcher
Claudia Watson leads public records research and manages international background checks. With expertise in criminal justice databases, she ensures compliance with privacy laws while delivering accurate criminal record information to clients.
Questions
What services does The McDowell Agency offer?
We provide criminal background screening, drug testing, employment verification, international background checks, and industry-specific searches tailored to organizational needs.
How quickly do you deliver background check results?
Our average turnaround time is less than 48 hours, with results reviewed by licensed investigators for accuracy.
Are your investigators licensed and qualified?
All account representatives are licensed private investigators with degrees in Criminal Justice or Criminology.
Can you handle specialized screening requirements?
Yes, we design customized screening programs and offer free consultations for unique industry-specific needs.
Do you serve organizations nationwide?
We provide services to schools, nonprofits, and corporations across the United States from our St. Paul headquarters.
Reviews (3)
Kate Preece
Sep 02, 2020
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Professional investigation and pre-employment screening. Great customer service. No walk-in appointments, so call ahead.
Matthew Nye
Oct 14, 2017
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I have to say I had a great experience working with the McDowell Agency. I have used them for background screenings on applicants for my rental property and the entire experience was easy and painless. Turnaround was quick, the reports were thorough and the price was fair. Could not of had a better experience.
Sullie
Aug 11, 2017
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McDowell's services are fairly priced, comprehensive and reliable! I'd recommend their team and services to any business owner looking to improve their hiring process and/or grow their business!
