Campbell Municipal Code Ch. 5.32 Private Patrols

"Private patrol" means the business or occupation of night watchman, night watch service, private policeman or any other occupation the purpose of which is to afford additional police or fire protection for hire or reward, provided that a watchman or caretaker working for a single employer in a line of business other than defined herein shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter; and further provided that a person primarily operating an armored car service for transporting money or other valuable personal property under guard, shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 3326).

(a) No persons, firms or corporations shall engage in the business of maintaining or operating a private patrol within the incorporated limits of the city unless first having complied with Division 3, Business and Professions Code, Chapter 11.5. (b) Prior to any persons, firms or corporations engaging in the private patrol business, they shall register with the chief of police by supplying copies of all state licenses and permits. This shall include all employees of the private patrol firm or corporation.

(Ord. 1619 § 1(part), 1986: prior code § 3327).

A written verified application shall be filed with the chief of police and shall contain:

(1) The true name of applicant;

(2) Where he has resided, where he has engaged in business of five years next preceding the date of application, length of time at each address, the number of any telephones maintained by him and the character of the business;

(3) The particulars in regard to any convictions of either a felony or misdemeanor;

(4) A recent passport-type photo of applicant and fingerprints;

(5) The names, addresses, physical description, convictions and such other information as may be required related to employees of applicant;

(6) A full description of services to be rendered.

Prior to the employment of any person by applicant, such person shall himself make a verified, written application containing the same information to the office of the chief of police; and the chief of police shall approve such employment only after he has determined that the proposed employee is twenty-one years of age or over, that the contents of the application are true, that the proposed employee is a fit and proper person to engage in such activities, and that he has complied with the requirements of this section.

(Prior code § 3328).

The chief of police shall verify all state licenses and permits. The chief of police may refuse to register those persons found to be of bad moral character.

(Ord. 1619 § 1(part), 1986: prior code § 3329).

(a) An applicant under this chapter shall file a good and sufficient bond in the sum of ten thousand dollars to be approved by the city attorney and payable to the city and any other person, firm or corporation aggrieved or damaged by the breach of the conditions of the bond to insure that the applicant will conduct his activities in faithful conformance to statutes and ordinances and in strict accordance with the authorization granted in this chapter.

(b) If the applicant intends to or does operate any motor vehicle in the conduct of his business, he shall file with the chief of police a copy of his motor vehicle insurance which shall include public liability coverage to the extent of twenty-five thousand dollars for the death or injury of any person in any occurrence, fifty thousand dollars for the death or injury of two or more persons in any one occurrence, and property damage in the sum of ten thousand dollars. The insurance policy shall apply to and cover each and every vehicle maintained by the applicant in furtherance of his business and shall carry a ten-day cancellation provision endorsed thereon with notification to be made to the chief of police if such should occur.

(c) Subsection (a) above may be waived by the chief of police if the applicant has a current valid bond on file with the Santa Clara County sheriff's office and that bond meets the applicable specifications set out in this section.

(Ord. 985 § 1, 1975; prior code § 3330).

After approval by the chief of police and filing of good and sufficient bond as provided in Section 5.32.050, the city clerk shall issue a business license to the persons, firm, or corporations engaged in private patrol.

(Ord. 1619 § 1(part), 1986: prior code § 3331).

Suspension or revocation will be per Section 5.01.140.

(Ord. 1619 § 1 (part), 1986: prior code § 3335).

The chief of police shall approve the style and type of uniform, if any, to be used by the private patrol for the purpose of maintaining a readily apparent distinction from the uniforms worn by the regularly employed police officers of the city and any other law enforcement agencies within the area of the activity of the private patrol. All equipment and motor vehicles shall be inspected by the office of the chief of police to insure a readily apparent distinction from the equipment and motor vehicles used by authorized law enforcement agencies. The chief of police shall approve the type and character of identification markings or insignia placed on any motor vehicle used in the operation of private patrol.

(Prior code § 3337).

The holder of the business license and his employees shall give a prompt report to the police department of any and all unusual occurrences observed while patrolling or at any other time, and it shall be the duty of such person or persons to preserve the scene of any occurrence intact and to refrain from moving, and refuse permission to move, disturb or otherwise interfere with the property, persons or things affected.

(Ord. 1619 § l(part), 1986: prior code § 3339).