Call Us in South Bend, IN.
(574) 233-9380
Call Us in Saint Joe, MI.
(269) 930-3015
Call Us in Tampa, FL.
(656) 238-2660
About Brett Coppins
With more than 39 years of investigative experience, Brett Coppins has built a reputation as one of the most trusted and experienced professional private investigators in the Michiana region. Since 1986, he has successfully investigated over ten thousand criminal and civil cases.
Brett’s career began as a violent crimes detective, where he spent 17 years in the Criminal Investigations Division of a large city police department—14 of those years dedicated to violent crime. Each year, he was assigned to more than 100 cases, including burglary, arson, aggravated assault, fraud, robbery, and homicide. His skill and determination earned him numerous awards and commendations, along with a conviction rate of over 99%.
In 1988, Brett’s brother Jonathon was murdered in South Bend, Indiana. That tragedy gave him a rare perspective: a personal understanding of the grief endured by victims’ families. It also fueled his drive to study human behavior and criminal psychology, leading him to attend more than 50 specialized investigative training schools, earn multiple certifications, and ultimately become an instructor in criminal investigations.
Over the course of his career, Brett has conducted thousands of suspect interviews, many with violent offenders. Each conversation provided deeper insight into criminal behavior, strengthening his expertise in criminology, investigative strategy, and crime prevention.
By 1997, he saw a gap: businesses and individuals often needed investigative support that public safety agencies couldn’t provide. That year, Brett became a licensed private investigator and founded what is now Coppins Investigative & Security Group, Inc. His agency now handles more than 500 criminal and civil investigations annually, serving individuals, families, attorneys, and businesses throughout Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.
Brett’s career also extended overseas. From 2008 to 2011, he served as an International Police Advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense and later as a Senior Criminal Investigations Advisor to the U.S. State Department in Iraq. In these roles, he trained and mentored Iraqi and Kurdish forces in criminal investigations, human behavior, and interview and interrogation techniques.
Today, Brett continues to serve his clients with the same principles that guided him as a detective: integrity, professionalism, and results that matter. He often reminds clients that while it may be tempting to “shop around” for the cheapest hourly rate, hiring an inexperienced investigator can ultimately cost more—both financially and in unexpected problems caused by a lack of knowledge or sound strategy.
For Brett, the true value of an investigation lies not in paying the lowest price, but in ensuring it is done thoroughly, discreetly, and professionally the first time.
About Us
Coppins Investigative Group (CIG) provides personalized private investigation services, surveillance services, and nationwide background research with a strong reputation for professionalism, discretion, and results. Licensed in both Indiana and Michigan, our agency is headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, with satellite offices in Granger, Elkhart, Valparaiso, and Saint Joe, Michigan.
Whether we’re conducting surveillance, locating individuals, assessing threats, or verifying critical information, our work is always thorough, court-ready, and guided by decades of experience. We proudly serve individuals, businesses, attorneys, and organizations seeking trusted, ethical investigative solutions.
SERVICES
Whatever information you might need, but don’t have the expertise to handle on your own, give us a call. You can rest assured that when we’re on the case, you’ll receive the absolute best results possible.
Surveillance Investigations Michiana
With 28 years in business, Coppins Investigative Group understands that when you come to us, it’s because something important is on the line—your business, your family, or your future. That’s why we approach every case with urgency, discretion, and respect.
From the moment you reach out, you’ll speak directly with a licensed investigator—not a receptionist. Founder and President Brett Coppins personally oversees each investigation, ensuring your concerns are heard, your questions are answered, and your case is handled with the highest level of discretion, care, and integrity.
With more than 35 years of investigative experience, we don’t just provide services—we pursue truth. Every case we take on is guided by a clear mission: to seek the truth, deliver clarity, and give our clients the confidence to make informed decisions as they move forward.
At CIG, we believe truth is power—and it’s our job to help you find it.
Trusted Investigations. Proven Results.
Private investigations done right—the first time.
Proven Investigations. Professional Results.
From internal theft and fraud to missing persons, surveillance, and locate services, our investigators uncover the facts across a wide range of cases—professionally and affordably.
Whether it’s general assistance or a complex, highly sensitive matter, we’ve handled it. If you can imagine it, there’s a good chance we’ve already investigated it—and delivered results.
Private Investigations You Can Rely On. Facts You Can Use.
Private investigations aren’t about guesswork—they’re about facts and proof.
Backed by decades of investigative experience, Brett Coppins and his team deliver professional, results-driven investigations for attorneys, businesses, and individuals who need the truth—clearly documented and reliably presented.
Whether it’s a sensitive domestic issue, a corporate concern, a missing loved one, or simply someone you need to locate—we uncover what others miss and present the truth with clarity and discretion.
Private investigations done right—the first time.
Clear evidence. Detailed reports. Results you can act on.
Common Services Include:
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General Surveillance
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Missing Persons Investigations
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People Locating & Skip Tracing
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Witness Location & Interviews
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Fraud & Internal Theft Investigations
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Assets & Financial Backgrounds
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Concerns About a Spouse’s Behavior
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General Assistance
Need Answers? Let’s Talk Confidentially.
Michiana’s Trusted Private Investigator
Our researchers offer a wide variety of nationwide database research services to clients of all backgrounds and needs. Business owners, professionals, and individuals. If you need information that isn’t available to the public, or if you simply don’t like navigating the internet, let them do the research for you. Our ladies combine their passion for online database searching, with our agency’s credentialed access to the largest database, which is a nationwide clearinghouse of more than 80 billion different databases, all in one. They dig, so you don’t have to.
On any given day, they may be asked by people just like yourself, to do many different types of research. One moment they could receive an email from someone requesting a nationwide search to locate a client, a witness, an old classmate, or even a long-lost friend. Then another client may request a search for nationwide criminal or civil records for preemployment, a potential new business partner, or something as simple as a daughter’s new boyfriend. The next minute they could be asked by a widget maker, who wants to expand to the east coast, to search for more information about the current competition there, and some background on that company and the owner. Then, still another person, who is a mature adult, needs help searching for the best bicycle seats for a man over 75. I hope you’re getting the picture. Our ladies love helping people and they love database searches and analyzing information. No request it too small.
We charge an affordable hourly rate of $85 per hour, with a one hour minimum, then charging in six-minute increments after that. A simple, straight forward rate, which covers their time and the database access fees. Simple and fair with an agreed upon limit set by you. Many of our searches already have a fair, affordable, flat rate.
So, if you need research done, and you’d rather delegate that work to someone who loves research and analyzing information, and who has access to the most powerful all-in-one database in the nation, contact us. Let one of our ladies remove the headaches associated with trying to navigate the world wide web, while allowing you to do more productive things. We get fast, affordable results. Most times in the one day.
Consulting & Training
Coppins Investigative Group offers professional investigative services, consulting, and training solutions tailored to the needs of business owners, HR professionals, legal teams, and investigators. Backed by three decades of criminal and private investigative experience, over 27 years of successful business ownership, and a proven record of training and mentoring others, our programs provide practical tools, strategic insight, and legal clarity in real-world scenarios.
Brett Coppins has trained not only private investigators and criminal investigators, but also U.S. & Iraqi military intelligence officers—including those serving in the Middle East. With over 30 years as a martial arts instructor, his background reflects a lifelong commitment to structured instruction, discipline, and personal development—skills that shape every coaching and consulting engagement.
Internal Investigations Services and Investigative Training for Employers
Workplace internal investigations require neutrality, discretion, strategy, and investigative precision. For over three decades, Brett Coppins has personally conducted thousands of investigations involving theft.
We offer two key services:
Direct Workplace Internal Investigation Services
Objective investigations for HR and owners who need clear findings, documented evidence, and complete confidentiality. All investigations are conducted under a strict non-disclosure agreement (NDA), ensuring internal matters remain private unless the client chooses to involve law enforcement or outside counsel.
On-Site Internal Investigation Training
Practical, instructor-led training for professionals, HR, business owners, and managers who handle internal theft investigations. This program is ideal for those who wish to conduct their own investigations but want limited, expert guidance to ensure they do it right.
It covers legal awareness, documentation standards, investigative planning, and interview protocols—equipping your team to manage internal matters with confidence and professionalism. Brett Coppins also provides ongoing mentorship during active investigations, offering support only where needed so your team remains in control while staying aligned with best practices.
Private Investigator Coaching and Surveillance Training
Whether you’re just launching your career or growing a small, struggling agency, Brett offers high-impact coaching for private investigators across the U.S.
Mentorship areas:
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Branding and marketing
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Case management and office management
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Surveillance skills and ethical boundaries
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Evidence documentation for court-admissible reports
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Client communication and expectation setting
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Scaling your agency and building referral networks
Why Choose Us
If you’re looking for training, insight, or investigative support from someone who has spent a lifetime doing the work—on the street, in the courtroom, and behind the scenes—I’m here to help. Whether you’re securing a facility, building an investigative career, or managing sensitive workplace issues, I’ll deliver the same level of professionalism and commitment I’ve held since the beginning.
— Brett Coppins
Founder, Coppins Investigative Group, Inc.
Based in South Bend, Indiana | Serving Clients Nationwide
Surveillance Backed by Experience. Proven by Results.
If you need discreet, professional surveillance in the Michiana region, Coppins Investigative & Security Group, Inc. delivers results you can trust. From insurance defense and injury claims to domestic and workplace matters, we use proven strategy, experienced fieldwork, and clear reporting to help you make confident decisions. Don’t choose the cheapest hourly rate—choose the investigator who gets it right the first time.