Chapter 5.52 — PRIVATE PATROLS

"Private patrol" means any person carrying on the business of night watchman, night watch service, private policemen, or any other occupation, the purpose of which is to afford additional police or fire protection to the public for hire or reward; provided, however, that nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to apply to private police protection incident to the transportation for hire within the city of moneys, checks, and other written instruments of persons, associations, firms and corporations, or to escorts of funeral processions. (Prior code § 59.1a)

No person, either as owner, manager, employee, or otherwise, shall manage, conduct, carry on or assist in the management, conducting or carrying on of the business of private patrol unless under and by authority of a written permit from the chief of police with the approval of the city manager. Such permits to manage, conduct or carry on any such occupation shall be issued upon the written application of any person for himself or on behalf of any corporation or association of persons. The chief of police must first satisfy himself that the management, conducting or carrying on of said private patrol will comport with the public welfare, and for this purpose may consider any facts or evidence bearing on the moral fitness and reputation of those who will be in charge of said private patrol, and any other facts or evidence tending to enlighten the chief of police in this respect. A copy of the private patrol license issued by the state of California Department of Consumer Affairs must be submitted with the application. Persons aggrieved by the action of the chief of police or city manager may appeal to the city council. (Prior code § 59.1b; Ord. 1510 § 3, 1995)

When any permit shall have been issued under the terms of this chapter, the same may be revoked at any time thereafter by said chief of police when satisfied that the management, conducting or carrying on of such patrol does not or will not comport with the public welfare for any reason, or that said private patrol has been conducted in an illegal or improper manner. The chief of police may make rules governing the management, conducting or carrying on of said private patrols and may revoke or suspend permits issued for the management or carrying on of any such occupation when the manager or person or persons in charge thereof violates or permits any infraction of any such rules, or any law of the state, or any provision of this code; provided, however, that the chief of police shall give notice of said revocation in writing, and the permittee shall be furnished with a copy of the reasons for such revocation and shall be allowed a reasonable time for answering the same in writing, and in such manner said permittee may demand a hearing before the city council. Upon said hearing, the council may order the permit restored or may affirm the previous order of revocation. (Prior code § 59.1c)

Any appeal pursuant to Sections 5.52.020 or 5.52.030 shall follow the procedure provided by Chapter 2.05 of this code. (Ord. 1226 § 9, 1984; Ord. 1510 § 3, 1995)

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City of Palm Springs, CA § 5.52.050

PALM SPRINGS CODE

§ 5.52.110

It shall be the responsibility of the owner or owners of a private patrol operating within the city limits to abide by and conform to all regulations contained in Sections 5.52.100 and 5.52.110. Any violation of these regulations will subject the offender to punishment as described in Sections 1.01.140 through 1.01.160; and, in addition, violations of these regulations shall be grounds for revocation of the permit. The chief of police is expressly authorized to promulgate rules for personal conduct. Violation of such rule shall be cause for revocation of the permit. (Prior code § 59.1g-1)

Members of private patrols shall restrict the color of their uniforms to gray, tan or black. All badges, cap shields and shoulder patches worn by private patrolmen shall be approved by the chief of police. All insignia placed on automobiles operated by private patrols shall be approved by the chief of police, and include the word "PRIVATE" in not less than four-inch capital letters. (Prior code § 59.1g-6; Ord. 1510 § 3, 1995)

Vehicles which can be mistaken for a police vehicle shall not be used by private patrols. (Prior code § 59.1g-7; Ord. 1510 § 3, 1995)

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City of Palm Springs, CA

BUSINESS REGULATIONS

§ 5.55.010

§ 5.55.040