Chapter 9.26 — PRIVATE PATROL SERVICE

• Editor's Note: Chapter 9.26, formerly codified as Chapter 4.38 of this code, was renumbered and relocated by Section 16 of Ordinance 4453.

(a) The chief of police shall prescribe or approve the style and type of uniform, if any, to be used by the private patrol system or patrol service for the purpose of maintaining 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 under this chapter, except with the prior approval of the chief of police 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 chief of police 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.

(d) For the purposes of this section, "private patrol" means 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 section; 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 section.

(Ord. 4453 § 16 (part), § 25, 1997: Ord. 1997 (part), 1961: prior code § 4.59)

(a) Police Operations. No person, other than a regular police officer or a duly authorized reserve officer of the city shall, for any purpose whatsoever, represent himself or falsely represent another to be a member of the police department of this city, or use any sign, word, language or device calculated to induce a false or mistaken belief that he is acting or purporting to act on behalf of the police department of this city within the scope of any real or purported duty thereof.

(b) Collection, etc. No person other than a regular police officer or a duly authorized reserve officer of this city, acting within the scope and course of his official duties, shall use any sign, badge, title or designation, or make any express or implied representation calculated to induce the belief that he is a member of the police force of this city, or connected therewith in any way, in connection with any activity directed toward the collection of any money or debt, or the repossessing, recovering, or taking of anything of value, or for any purpose of private gain whatsoever.

(Ord. 4453 § 16 (part), § 26, 1997: Ord. 1997 (part), 1961: prior code § 4.60)