Delano Municipal Code Ch. 6.44 Private Patrol System

Unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, the following terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings indicated in this section.

A. "Patrol system" or "system," means any business, service or organization which furnishes or purports to furnish to members, subscribers or patrons any guards, or watchmen or patrolmen to guard, patrol or watch any property, or to perform any other service which is regularly performed by the police department of the city.

B. "Patrolman" means any person employed in a patrol system as a guard, watchman or patrolman.

(Ord. 402 §1, 1962).

No person shall maintain, conduct, manage, or otherwise operate a patrol system wholly or partially in the city unless such patrol system is registered with the chief of police and a permit for such system has been issued as provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 402 §2, 1962).

Any person who desires to register a patrol system and receive a permit therefor shall make application to the chief of police. The application shall state all information which the chief of police requests concerning the name, address and organization of the patrol system, its method of operation, the territory or locations it proposes to serve, and the names, addresses, personal descriptions, photographs and fingerprints of its owners, officers and employees. The fee for such permit shall be three dollars.

(Ord. 402 §3, 1962).

The chief of police shall investigate the background and moral character of all personnel named in the registration of a patrol system and shall consider all other matters stated in the registration, and if he finds that the system is properly organized, that its owners, officers and other personnel are of good moral character and that the public interest, safety, necessity and convenience will be served by the operation of the patrol system described in the application, he shall issue a non transferable permit for such system. If the chief of police refuses to issue a permit, he shall inform the applicant in writing, who may then, if he chooses, appeal for such permit to the city council in writing within ten days after mailing or personal service of such notice.

(Ord. 402 §4, 1962).

After a permit is issued, any change in the ownership, organization, or operation of a patrol system or change in its personnel shall be reported at once to the police department in writing, If a patrol system engages new patrolmen or other personnel, the notice to the police department shall include the names, addresses, personal descriptions, photographs, and fingerprints of such new personnel.

New personnel may be used in emergencies by obtaining verbal approval from the police department with the stipulation that same new personnel shall be registered as required in this section within the next twenty-four hours.

(Ord. 402 §5, 1962).

Every patrolman engaged by a patrol system permitted in the city shall at all times carry an identification card issued by the police department naming the patrol system by which he is employed, and containing a photograph, personal description and right index fingerprint of the bearer. Every patrolman on duty as a watchman, guard or patrolman shall wear a distinctive uniform, which shall be readily distinguished from the uniforms worn by the Delano police department.

(Ord. 402 §6, 1962).

The holder of a patrolman's identification card shall immediately return the same to the chief of police whenever his employment as a private patrolman is terminated. If a private patrolman changes his employment from one patrol system to another, he shall report that fact to the chief of police, and the name of his new employer shall be endorsed on his identification card.

(Ord. 402 §7, 1962).

Any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter may be suspended or revoked by the chief of police whenever:

A. It appears that the patrol system for which such permit was granted is conducted in a disorderly or improper manner; or

B. It is being operated in violation of any statute of the state or ordinance of the city; or

C. That the person conducting such patrol system is of an unfit moral character to do so; or

D. The purpose for which the permit has been issued is being abused to the detriment of the public.

A permit granted under the provision of this chapter shall not, by virtue of this section, be revoked or suspended until a hearing shall have been had by the city council relative to so doing.

Written notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be served upon the permittee at least fifteen days prior to the date set for such hearing. Such notice shall also contain a brief statement of the grounds to be relied upon for revoking or suspending such permit. Notice may be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified or by deposit to the United States mail in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to such person to be notified, at the business address appearing upon the application for such permit. Upon or after completion of the hearing, the city council shall decide whether the permit shall be revoked or suspended.

(Ord. 402 §8, 1962).