Historic Pinkerton Agency opens office in San Diego

Pinkerton, the comprehensive risk management agency that traces its history to 1850, when it was launched as Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency, has opened its first office in San Diego. The new branch, which will be the agency’s fourth location in California, is located at 1550 Hotel Circle North. Operations Manager Val Jimenez, who joined Pinkerton in February, oversees day-to-day responsibilities of the San Diego location as well as company operations throughout Southern California. Jimenez, a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy, began his career as a deputy sheriff for Kem County, where he subsequently transferred to the California Department of Justice, serving as a special agent. 

His career with the Department of Justice spanned more than 25 years, with previous assignments including field training officer, unit commander of the foreign prosecution unit, task force officer with the DEA, USMS, Customs Service and Statewide Special Events Operational Commander. Most recently, Jimenez served as the special agent in charge for the San Diego Regional Office. Pinkerton’s agents served as Abraham Lincoln’s personal security detail during the Civil War, and, at one time, employed more agents than there were members of the standing army of the United States. Pinkerton pioneered new practices in risk management that included creating the forerunner to the U.S. Secret Service, developing the first criminal database and employing the country’s first female detective, Kate Warne.

San Diego Metro | April 2015 

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