El Cajon Municipal Code Ch. 5.60 Private Patrol Service

For the purposes of this chapter, a "private patrol service" shall mean any person or owner of a private patrol service who, for any consideration whatsoever, agrees to furnish or furnishes a watchman, guard, patrolman or other person to protect persons or private property or to prevent the theft, unlawful taking, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation or concealment of any goods, wares, merchandise, money, bonds, stocks, notes, documents, papers or private property of any kind. The term shall also mean a person who performs the service of such watchman, guard, patrolman or other person for any of the above purposes.

(Prior code § 22-1)

No person shall engage in, carry on, maintain or conduct a private patrol service in the city without first having applied for and secured a license pursuant to Chapter 5.16, paid license taxes as specified in Chapters 5.04 and 5.08, and complied with all regulations pertaining to such business provided in this code.

(Prior code § 22-2)

All employees of any private patrol service shall obtain a work permit from the city clerk as provided in Chapter 5.20 of this code.

(Prior code § 22-6)

The application for a license or a work permit under this chapter shall be accompanied by a copy of fingerprints of the applicant. Such fingerprints shall be taken by the police department.

(Prior code § 22-10)

No person shall operate or conduct a private patrol service in violation of any of the following regulations and rules:

A. Such operator shall be a member in good standing with the bureau of private investigators and adjusters, as defined in Article 3, Chapter 11, of the Business and Professions Code of the state.

B. No licensee or employee of a licensee shall use a title, badge, uniform or other insignia which is likely to be confused with that of the police department of the city, or of any regular police agency of the county, or any political subdivisions of the county.

(Prior code § 22-11)

A person licensed only as a private patrol operator shall not make arrests, except as a private citizen, with the exception of those arrests which are incidental to the investigation of theft, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation or concealment of any property, or any other thing enumerated in Section 5.60.010 which he has been hired or engaged to protect, guard or watch.

(Prior code § 22-12)

Any business which is established or maintained in violation of this chapter is deemed to be a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with Chapter 1.16 of this code.

(Ord. 4318 § 4, 1991)