Los Altos Municipal Code Ch. 4.28 Private Patrol Services

The words "private patrol" shall mean any person carrying on 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 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 § 4-9.01)

No person, either as principal or agent, shall engage in the business of maintaining or operating any private patrol service or patrol system without first obtaining a permit to do so issued by the city manager when a fire patrol is to be maintained. The permit shall be issued for a period of one year upon payment of a permit fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) and upon compliance with the requirements contained herein. The permit shall be carried at all times by the person to whom it is issued and shall be exhibited upon demand by anyone. No permit issued hereunder shall be transferable by operation of law or otherwise. The city manager shall issue a permit only after he has determined that the contents of the application are true, that the applicant is a fit and proper person to carry on such business and that the applicant has complied with the laws of the city and of the state. Every operator of an existing private patrol service or patrol system shall apply for and obtain a permit on or before March 25, 1961.

(Prior code § 4-9.02)

An application for a permit shall be filed with the city manager, who shall cause an investigation to be made concerning it. The application shall be signed and verified by the applicant and shall specify his name, business address, residence address and the numbers of any telephones maintained by him, the location of his last place of business, the name and character of the business, and the length of time he was engaged therein, a statement of whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, and such other information as shall be deemed necessary by the city manager.

(Prior code § 4-9.03)

Prior to the employment of any person by a private patrol service or patrol system, such person shall make written application to the city manager for a license, setting forth his name, address, physical description, whether he has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and such other information as may be required. At the time of making application, a proposed employee shall also submit his finger and thumb prints, a recent photograph and a certificate from a reputable physician licensed by the State certifying that, in his opinion, the proposed employee is not afflicted with any disease or infirmity which makes him unsafe or unsatisfactory for the performance of his duties. The fee for the issuance of a license shall be five dollars ($5.00). The city manager shall issue a license approving employment of the proposed employee only after he has determined that the proposed employee is of the age of twenty-one (21) years 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 the proposed employee has complied with the requirements of this section. The license shall be carried at all times by the person to whom it is issued and shall be exhibited upon demand by anyone.

(Prior code § 4-9.04)

A.

The city manager shall prescribe or approve the style and type of uniform, if any, to be used by such private patrol system or patrol service for the purpose of maintaining a readily apparent distinction from the uniforms worn by the regularly employed police officers of the city.

B.

No equipment or motor vehicle shall be used in any business or activity permitted hereunder except with the prior approval of the city manager, who shall inspect such equipment or motor vehicle to insure the maintenance of a readily apparent distinction from the equipment and motor vehicles used by authorized law enforcement agencies.

C.

The city manager shall prescribe or approve the type or character of identification markings or insignia placed on any motor vehicle used in the operation of any private patrol service or patrol system.

(Prior code § 4-9.05)

Any and all unusual occurrences observed while patrolling or at any other time by members of a private patrol service or patrol system shall be reported to the police department immediately. It shall be the duty of such person to preserve the scene intact and allow no moving, disturbing or otherwise interfering with the property, persons or things affected. Any violations of this section shall be grounds for revocation of any permit or license issued hereunder.

(Prior code § 4-9.06)

No rights, duties or privileges granted or permitted hereunder shall be constructed to create, permit or otherwise vest in the permittee or any licensee any powers specially reserved to peace officers, as defined in the Penal Code of the state, as distinguished from private citizens.

(Prior code § 4-9.07)

A.

A permit or license issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked by the city officer authorized to issue such permit or license if the holder thereof has violated any of the provisions of the laws of the city, or the laws of the state or of the United States, the violation of which reflects unfavorably upon the fitness of the holder of the permit or license to offer a private patrol service, or be employed in offering such service, or has otherwise acted in such manner as to demonstrate his unfitness to offer such private patrol service or to be employed in offering such service.

B.

Prior to any such revocation, the holder of the permit or license shall be given notice of the proposed action and shall be given an opportunity to be heard. If, within five days after such notice of proposed action has been given to the holder, he requests a hearing on the proposed revocation, a public hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days after such request upon ten (10) days' notice to all interested parties. The officer issuing such permit or license shall conduct the hearing and if, as a result thereof, such permit or license is ordered revoked, the holder shall have the right, within five days after such order, to appeal such action to the council. Such appeal shall be made by filing with the city clerk, within said five day period, a written notice of appeal, which notice shall specify with particularity the grounds upon which such appeal is made. The council shall hear the appeal at its next succeeding regular or adjourned regular meeting held not less than five days after the filing of such appeal, and the decision of the council shall be final.

(Prior code § 4-9.08)

Fees required to be paid for any permit or license issued hereunder shall be in addition to any fee required to be paid under Chapter 4.04 of this title.

(Prior code § 4-9.09)