About Basin Back Investigations

Hello, my name is Mark McDougal.  After 23 years of service with a large, state wide police agency, I had to take a medical retirement after enduring a significant on duty injury.  As the old saying goes, when a door closes for you, another opens…

If you had asked me four years ago where I would be in life in the years following; I would have told you a stay at home husband with an amazing wife, a Dad of three wonderful young adults, and caretaker/plaything to three giant dogs and one small one. But after a career of trying to make a difference in our society I could not just stop.

I started volunteer teaching at my local community college for Criminal Justice.  That changed into being hired as an Adjunct Professor and later included a promotion to Program Coordinator in Criminal Justice.

I also started substitute teaching in K-12.  I tried high school, middle school, and then elementary.  The surprise for me is I felt at home most in the elementary setting.  I now substitute at the same elementary school nearly three times a week, sometimes more, sometimes less.  I know all the kids from Kinders to fifth graders and they know me as Mr. Mark (some of them had a hard time pronouncing my last name).  The highlight of their days when I am teaching is to hear real police stories from my past.  Granted, I don’t include all the details, but it’s breaking down those barriers of mistrust and misunderstanding between the young kids and Police Officers that really matters.

While attending a large committee meeting at my community college I had a short conversation with the Sheriff of my county.  I consider him a friend and mentor.  We have shared history of work and going fishing when we can.  He knew that I had extensive experience in performing background investigations for hiring new Police Officers.  He also knew there was considerable demand for quality background investigations in the Klamath Basin, but also throughout the State of Oregon and across the United States. 

The nudge…It was a polite one, but with deep thought and sentiment.  The Sheriff directly told me to start a business based on conducting background investigations.  He explained that I had all the experience, and the community at large really needed it.  

This was the lightbulb moment for me.  I did not need to think about it.  I knew at that moment there was a current need in my community and state (a hole perhaps) and I was the right person at the right time to fill it.  It did not take long, in fact just a few days, and I had my first client.  The first was a Chief of Police position.  A great way to start a private business doing something I have done hundreds of times before.  

That’s the story.  In four years’ time my life made an arc of change I never would have expected.  While I do miss working as a Police Officer, I know I am helping my community and society in a real concrete way.