SEC350 Private Security Laws

Private Security

Private Security Laws

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SEC350

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Professor

Private Security Laws

In many states private security firms are governed by laws and regulations to ensure professionalism and increased standards by security personnel. Private security laws in the state of Texas require the private security company to have a branch security license in order to do business in the state. The branch office license is a permit issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety that entitles a person to operate a security services contractor or private investigations company. In Texas the licensing requirements include educational requirements and levels of training and standards that must be adhered to.

In order for the security company to be in compliance with the regulations and laws of the state of Texas each security employee hired by the firm must go through a reference check, a psychological evaluation, drug screening, and complete a forty hour educational training course. Under Texas state law the security officer does not have the same authority as the law enforcement officer and must work in adjunct to local policing agencies. Sworn law enforcement officers hired by the security company are not subject to the same licensing as the private security officer.

The role of security firms and personnel under Texas law is to protect, people, property, and proprietary information and will protections to a vast array of public and private corporations and businesses. In some industries security personnel is essential not only for protecting the property form loss but in ensuring their industry cannot be used by terrorist factions to cause harm to the nation. For example chemical plants, airports, nuclear power plants, and oil and gas refineries require a highly trained and professional security staff to ensure terrorists do not attack the resources or use them to cause harm to a community or it members.

In the state of Texas security firms face certain restrictions that must be adhered to. In order for the security firm to be licensed in Texas they must act as an investigation company and offer or perform services relating to private investigations. Security firms that offer alarm installations and services must be licensed in the state of Texas as well as private security consultant firms, armored car services, and locksmith companies. Security personnel are also not authorized to conduct investigations without a license when a company experiences a loss or damage to property.

The private security consulting company is authorized to consult, train, recommend or advise clients as well as recommend security products and services. The alarm company is authorized to sell, install, and monitor alarm systems that are placed in businesses and homes and respond to any detection of security breaches. Electronic access control companies must have a branch security license as well as an electronic access control license. The locksmith company sells, installs, and maintains locks while the armored truck company is responsible providing security for the valuable belongings of the individual or transporting money and security bonds for bank, financial institutions, and businesses.

In order for a security business to be issued the branch security license they must fill out the branch office applicant which include security firm’s name, name of security personnel who will operate under license, and a photograph of license holders. Applicant must be over the age of eighteen and have no past felony charges. The applicants cannot have a past history of mental illness, have a dishonorable discharge from military, cannot be a sexual offender, and must have a valid driver’s license. The qualifications of the applicant include receiving approval from the chief administrator who is appointed by Department of Public Safety and the security firm applicant must have the necessary experience in the field in order to obtain approval.

An applicant for a license to engage in the business of a security services contractor or the applicant's manager must have two consecutive years experience in each security services field for which the person applies as an employee, manager, or owner of a security services contractor (TDS, 2011). The applicant will also be responsible for completing an exam and will be notified of the results within thirty days from the date the exam was taken. In order to obtain the branch security license the applicant must pass the examination that will show that the security firm business owner or manger has the necessary knowledge as well as gauging the applicants understanding of the laws and rules.

The security firm in Texas is subject to stringent licensing and regulations in order to ensure that the security firm can provide trained professional security personnel. Without a branch security license security consulting firms and other security related business cannot operate in the state. Despite the licensing received by the security firm and officer the security officers is limited in the authority they are provided. Security personnel guard property, respond to security threats, and protect employees but they do not have the authority to arrest or investigate crimes. The security officers in not a law enforcement officer and can only detain a criminal suspect until police arrive.

References

Texas Department of Safety. (2011). As Amended by the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session: Private

Security Laws. Retrieved August 13, 2012 from

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/psb/docs/Chap1702OccCodeClean.pdf

Private Security