After almost 20 years in the field of investigations, one might think that there is little left for Sandra Harley to discover. She has held various roles, ranging from Surveillance Investigator to behind-the-scenes Open-source Intelligence Investigator. She has worked numerous undercover assignments gathering hard evidence for complex cases. Sandra excelled in these positions before becoming the Regional Manager at Xpera. She has collaborated with some of the largest clients in the industry and recently served a term as President of the Professional Investigators Association of British Columbia. Currently, she leads a provincial team of private investigators and investigations managers from her office in Burnaby, BC.
Despite her extensive experience, Sandra still pursues aspects of her work to spark her interest. As Xpera’s Regional Manager of Investigations, she continues to apply her investigative skills to cases, appreciating the unexpected twists that they can take. There are also new rulings and legislation to keep up with, as well as team training and mentoring.
Reflecting on her career, Sandra acknowledges that she has always sought the next challenge. After obtaining a degree in communications, she initially worked in the nonprofit sector, focusing on high-risk youth. Although rewarding, she realized it was not a long-term career for her. A conversation with a close friend encouraged her to change her career path.
“I thought, ‘Life is too short,’” Sandra remembers. “I had always been curious about investigations. I’ve always possessed a keen eye for detail and a knack for analytical thinking.” So, Sandra obtained her license and was hired for her first job: a strike during a labour dispute in 2005. “It was all hands on deck,” she recalls.
Sometime after that, Sandra began working as a Surveillance Investigator. Surveillance investigators discreetly observe individuals to objectively and independently document their activities. “A regular day can last 12 to 16 hours,” Sandra says, adding that it takes a particularly disciplined and patient professional. One must also be aware of the laws surrounding surveillance and know when and how to capture video without infringing on an individual’s right to privacy.
Sandra recalls a particular day that began at 5 AM and started an hour from her home. Expecting to spend some time maintaining surveillance before any activity occurred, she and her partner were surprised when the individual departed immediately after their arrival and was extremely active throughout his workday. After concluding his workday, the individual spent the evening in downtown Vancouver, then attended his local gym before finally returning home around 10 PM.
Despite the considerable admissible evidence collected, the client requested a consecutive day of surveillance to commence the following morning at 5 AM.
“You have to be resilient,” Sandra explains, “and the required skill set is extensive! You must possess a diverse array of abilities.” She continues, “Long days on surveillance mean you must be comfortable sitting still for hours, but you also have to be able to jump into action on a moment’s notice. It’s essential to have extra clothing ready for any situation, drive defensively, and stay alert. You need good camera skills and must always have your equipment prepared. Transportation fare is necessary in case the individual uses public transport. You have to be prepared for anything at any time.”
Sandra eventually transitioned from surveillance to field investigations before entering the emerging field of Open- Source Intelligence (OSINT)—a development that attracted her interest further.
“OSINT has significantly impacted the investigations industry,” says Sandra, noting that this has been the most significant change she has witnessed during her career at Xpera. “When I started in OSINT, it primarily involved examining social media sites like Friendster, Bebo, and Xanga,” she recalls. Although these platforms have shifted to Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, the foundational work remains unchanged. “However, OSINT isn’t easy,” Sandra emphasizes. “In addition to social media, OSINT utilizes various other sources. You would be surprised at the depth of research we can conduct and the wealth of information available.”
OSINT investigators access the surface, deep and dark web (on occasion), the latter of which contains vast amounts of information that search engines do not index. Accessing this information often requires logging in or using secure connections. “OSINT investigators must also be qualified, trained, and prepared to present their findings in court,” Sandra says. She has delivered numerous presentations and training sessions to various sectors and community groups on topics such as Internet safety and social media precautions.
In 2009, Xpera created a business line specifically for OSINT, and Sandra played a crucial role in its establishment. Today, Xpera’s OSINT Team has grown from a single investigator to a team of dozens of investigators across the country.
“I’m also a big advocate for privacy.” Sandra explains. “When it comes to OSINT, people post their lives on the Internet.” She adds that, knowing this, she monitors her own online presence and those of her family very closely.
As the Regional Manager for Investigations, Sandra oversees various operations, including surveillance, field investigations, OSINT, and all investigative services provided throughout the province. Client files can benefit from a single investigative technique or a combination of multiple approaches. With her extensive experience and sharp insight into finding solutions, Sandra identifies the right tools to achieve the desired outcomes. She has handled various health, life, regulatory body, corporate, and property claims throughout BC and across the country. Her experience extends to both civil and criminal investigations.
Sandra can also spot emerging trends in the industry, perhaps through her years of experience and her time with the Professional Investigators Association of BC.
“HR investigations have emerged as a significant field in recent years due to WorkSafeBC’s requirement that all employers in British Columbia establish a mechanism for investigating complaints related to sexual harassment, bullying and harassment, and discriminatory harassment,” notes Sandra. Companies are also increasingly conducting workplace investigations because of heightened awareness of these issues, stricter regulations, and a growing focus on mitigating legal risks. Many organizations are outsourcing their investigations to independent firms to address these challenges. Xpera has built a dedicated team to respond to these issues, and Sandra is proud of the initiative, stating, “I’ve known this need was coming, so we’ve been developing this business line for a while.”
When she’s not working, Sandra continues to support several nonprofit causes, such as the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Mex- Can Pet Partners, an organization that rescues and rehabilitates dogs from Guanajuato, Mexico, and prepares them for adoption in Canada.
After 20 years in the field of investigations, one might assume that Sandra Harley has seen it all. “Everyone says that,” she laughs. “But the job is both challenging and dynamic.” Unlike some professions, where stagnation can occur, every day brings new experiences. Occasionally, she encounters surprising cases or unusual issues that clients face. However, she embraces those challenges. “I’ve seen this industry change significantly,” she notes. “We continually evolve to meet the next challenge.”
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