Top Dog
Private Investigators
Digging up the truth.
Four decades of uncompromising precision in insurance defense, criminal litigation, and domestic matters. The intelligence legal professionals rely on to win.
Professional Affiliations & Certifications
The full investigative file.
Attorney & Litigation Support
Court-ready investigative work that strengthens your case from intake through trial.
- Witness location and interviews
- Accident and scene canvassing and documentation
- Site inspection
Insurance, Claims & AOE/COE
Disciplined fact-finding for insurance defense counsel, carriers, and claims representatives.
- AOE / COE investigations
- Liability claims investigations
- Workplace liability and misconduct investigations
Expert Surveillance
Four decades of stationary, mobile, and covert surveillance with admissible documentation.
- Stationary and mobile surveillance
- Activity checks
- Infidelity and domestic surveillance
Institutional & Title IX
Independent, defensible investigations for schools, districts, and public institutions.
- Title IX investigations
- School district and student safety investigations
- School security and site assessments
Backgrounds & Locates
Pre-litigation intelligence: who they are, where they are, and what they have.
- Comprehensive background investigations
- Locate and skip tracing
- Asset and public-record searches
Need something not listed?
Forty years on the job means we've seen most of it. Call directly and we'll tell you straight whether it's a fit.
Built for the people who try the case.
Insurance Defense Attorneys
AOE/COE workups, sub rosa surveillance, witness statements, and trial-ready documentation that holds up to cross-examination.
Insurance Companies & Claims Reps
Activity checks, claimant verification, fraud workups, and recorded statements that move suspect claims to resolution.
Criminal Defense Attorneys
Independent re-investigation, witness re-interviews, scene canvassing, and mitigation discovery that surfaces what the state missed.
Domestic & Private Clients
Confidential infidelity, custody, and personal surveillance handled with discretion, sensitivity, and admissible reporting.
The difference forty years makes.
Licensed & insured
California PI license #28279. Every assignment is handled by a licensed investigator, not a subcontractor you've never met.
Court-ready reporting
We document with admissibility in mind: timestamped media, source notes, and chain-of-custody handling from day one.
Bilingual capability
English and Spanish interviews, surveillance, and reporting across Southern California.
Direct access
You speak with the investigator on your file, not a call center. Urgent matters are reviewed promptly.
Results worth talking about.
“I've used Paul Mason at Top Dog PI on a lot of jobs and he is the investigator I trust when the work actually has to get done right, the first time. He's conscientious, his reports are outstanding, and he hits the timelines he gives you. Surveillance is first-rate, the kind of work you can hand off without worrying it will fall apart. Bilingual, experienced, and he has integrity. He doesn't overpromise and he always delivers honest results. When I need an investigator, he's always my first call.”
“For more than 35 years our company has provided Title IX and workplace investigation services to K–12 school districts, community colleges, and Joint Powers Authorities throughout California. Over five years we have retained Top Dog Private Investigators for some of our most sensitive and difficult Title IX and complex claims investigations — and our litigation and HR clients have been exceptionally pleased with the work product and reports. Several clients have specifically requested their services again. They have become one of our most trusted and valued investigative service providers. I wholeheartedly recommend Top Dog for matters requiring experience, discretion, thoroughness, and work that can withstand scrutiny.”
“Highly recommend Top Dog Private Investigators. Their professionalism, knowledge, and attention to detail are outstanding. They handled the assignment efficiently and discreetly while delivering exceptional results giving me the peace of mind I needed. Their expertise and commitment to getting the job done right truly made the experience stress free. Five stars without hesitation.”
“Thank you very much for conducting this evidence. Your work was valuable and crucial in helping the authorities move forward and get my children back as soon as possible. A simple thank you does not suffice to express my gratitude. I will definitely reach out if I need your services in the future. Once again, thank you!”
“Paul is very professional, answered all questions. Great investigators!”
Licensed across Southern California.
Practical guidance.
Title IX Investigations: What California Schools and Districts Need to Know
How independent, neutral Title IX investigations protect students, staff, and institutions — and what a defensible investigation actually looks like.
What Is an AOE/COE Investigation?
AOE/COE stands for Arising Out of Employment / Course of Employment. Learn how these investigations help California employers, carriers, and defense counsel resolve workers' compensation claims.
How to Hire a Private Investigator in California
Five things attorneys, insurers, and private clients should verify before hiring a licensed private investigator in California.
Your case file, secured and current.
Active clients log in to a private portal to view case status, exchange secure messages, and upload or download evidence and reports. Pay open invoices through our FreshBooks portal in one click.
Have a matter that needs a steady investigator?
Confidential consultations. Most calls returned same day.