San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 1 Generally

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Patrol officer means an individual engaged in the act of guarding property as the owner, member or employee of a patrol system.

Patrol system means any private service or private system which purports to furnish or does furnish to members or subscribers any watchman or guard, either uniformed or otherwise, to patrol any part of the city or to guard or watch any property, including guarding against theft, fire, or both, or to perform any service usually and customarily performed by the police department. The term "patrol system" does not include the guarding of property of a single owner, while such property is not open to the public, by one or more individuals whose entire salary or wage is paid by such owner, irrespective of whether such salary or wage is paid directly to the individuals performing such guard duty or to another, or service of any nature performed by an employee whose main or principal duty is not that of guarding or protecting property.

(Code 1957, § 21.1)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

The city council may make such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this article or with state law governing patrol systems and patrol officers, as the council may deem reasonable.

(Code 1957, § 21.9)

Every patrol system licensed under this article shall comply with rules, regulations and laws of the state governing the operations of patrol systems.

(Code 1957, § 21.10)

A patrol officer shall not, either by himself or through the actions of another, harass, annoy or commit a nuisance against or injure the property of, unnecessarily enter, or otherwise trespass upon the property of any person whose property the patrol system of such patrol officer is not employed to protect.

(Code 1957, § 21.2)

Any patrol system licensed under this article shall file with the police department the address of each property that it is watching or patrolling, together with the name and address of the person employing the operator for such purpose.

(Code 1957, § 21.3)

No patrol officer shall perform official police or investigation activities, but shall immediately report every violation of law and every unusual occurrence to the police department without unnecessary delay.

(Code 1957, § 21.4)

No patrol officer shall assume or use a rank or title the same as or similar to any rank or title used by the sheriff or by any police department within the county, nor shall any patrol system use, grant or bestow or permit any patrol officer to assume or use any such rank or title.

(Code 1957, § 21.5)

A patrol officer shall not wear any uniform which is in imitation of or can be mistaken for an official sheriff's uniform or an official police uniform of the police force of any city within the county or an official uniform of any state officer.

(Code 1957, § 21.6)

A list of police equipment, including weapons which patrol officers will wear while on duty, shall be furnished to the chief of police. A patrol officer shall not wear any equipment or carry any weapon to which the chief of police has objected.

(Code 1957, § 21.7)

The person holding the license for a patrol system shall so inform the city clerk in writing within five days after any patrol officer no longer is an owner, member or employee of such licensee.

(Code 1957, § 21.8)