The Pinkerton Detective Agency: Our History

In 2001 Pinkerton and Burns International merged operations to become part of Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., the largest security services provider in the world. This brought together the two most renowned private investigative firms in the world.

Our History

Pinkerton's history dates back to 1850 in Chicago, when Allan Pinkerton,

the original "private eye", founded Pinkerton's National Detective Agency. Pinkerton achieved national renown in 1861 when he uncovered and foiled an assassination plot on the life of Abraham Lincoln. During the Civil War, Pinkerton organized America’s first secret service. His pursuits of Jesse James, the Younger, the Dalton gangs and his longstanding pursuit of the Wild Bunch brought extraordinary visibility to his agency.
Burns International also boasts a rich history. In 1909, William J. Burns founded the William J. Burns Detective Agency with headquarters in

Chicago , Illinois . Burns was a man of integrity and served as a national crime watchdog. During his career, he was labeled "the greatest detective the U.S. has ever produced." In 1921, he was appointed the director of the newly formed National Bureau of Fingerprint investigation that later became the FBI.

The Legacy Continues...

Now operating as Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations, the legacy of these two great men continues to this day with a force of investigators and security specialists that retain the same reputable dedication and commitment to protecting clients and their assets worldwide.

Experience. Integrity. Trust.