Avenal Municipal Code Ch. 5 Private Patrol Systems

Sections:

4-5.01 Definition.
4-5.02 Registration—Required.
4-5.03 Registration—Procedures.
4-5.04 Qualifications.
Title 4 PUBLIC SAFETY
Avenal, California, Code of Ordinances
Page 41
4-5.05 Uniforms.
4-5.06 Badge design restrictions.
4-5.07 Vehicle insignia restrictions.
4-5.08 Complaints. 4-5.01 Definition. "Private patrol system" is any business which intends to furnish or does furnish any private policeman, watchman or guard to patrol any territory or to guard or watch property of another person within the incorporated boundaries of Avenal. (Ord. 83-02 § 1, 1983) 4-5.02 Registration—Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a private patrol watchman or for any person holding a private patrol license to employ or permit any person to act as a private patrol watchman unless such person registers with the Avenal Police Department. (Ord. 83-02 § 2, 1983; Res. No. 2010-64, 10-28-2010) 4-5.03 Registration—Procedures. The person named in the register as a private patrol watchman shall, within three (3) working days after his registration, present himself to the Avenal Police Department to be photographed and fingerprinted. The Chief of Police or his designated representative shall forthwith cause said person to be photographed and fingerprinted and such photographs and fingerprints shall be filed in the permanent records of the Avenal Police Department. (Ord. 83-02 § 3, 1983; Res. No. 2010-64, 10-28-2010) 4-5.04 Qualifications. All employees or applicants must be of good moral character and good mental character. Personnel of a private patrol system shall not have been convicted of any felony or of any narcotic law or any law involving moral turpitude and which conviction would, in the judgment of the Avenal Police Department, indicate that such employees or applicants are not of good moral character. (Ord. 83-02 § 6, 1983; Res. No. 2010-64, 10-28-2010) 4-5.05 Uniforms. Every operator of a private patrol system shall adopt a characteristic uniform and all private patrol watchmen employed by such operator shall wear such uniform at all times while engaged in the performance of the duties of his employment. The characteristic uniform proposed to be adopted by the holder of a private patrol system permit and any uniform proposed to be worn by a private watchman must first be approved by the Avenal Police Department. (Ord. 83-02 § 4, 1983; Res. No. 2010-64, 10-28-2010)

Title 4 PUBLIC SAFETY Avenal, California, Code of Ordinances Page 42 4-5.06 Badge design restrictions. It shall be unlawful for any person to wear or display, or cause to be worn or displayed, any badge or insignia similar in design to that used by the Sheriff's Department and City Police Department, and no badge or insignia of any design shall be worn or displayed or used in any manner unless the same has been first approved by the Avenal Police Department. Any badge or insignia worn by a private watchman or private patrol watchman shall have imprinted thereon, in letters of a size approved by the Avenal Police Department, the name of the employer of the private watchman or the name of the private patrol watchman system by whom the private patrol watchman is employed as the case may be and in addition to such name there may be imprinted thereon the words "private officer," or "private patrol watchman," "private watchman," "watchman" or "guard." (Ord. 83-02 § 5, 1983; Res. No. 2010-64, 10-28-2010) 4-5.07 Vehicle insignia restrictions. It shall be unlawful for any private patrol system to use or operate vehicles of the same color as that of the Police Department or Sheriff's Department. No seals, decals or insignias are to be placed on the vehicles but the name of the company and the words, "private patrol" must be placed on the side of the doors; lettering to be not less than three (3) inches in height and the lettering shall be in contrast to the color of the background upon which they are placed. (Ord. 83-02 § 8, 1983) 4-5.08 Complaints. The Avenal Police Department is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to file, or cause to be filed, with the directors of the Bureau of Private Investigators and Adjustors of the State, a complaint against any person holding a license to carry on the business of private patrol watchman issued by such director, whenever he believes good cause exists therefor. (Ord. 83-02 § 7, 1983; Res. No. 2010-64, 10-28-2010)