Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Ch. 9 Private Patrol Systems

* Chapter 9 consisting of Sections 3-9.01–3-9.16, codified from §§ 2441–2459, T.O.O.C., as amended by Ordinance Nos. 158 and 241-NS, repealed by Section 1, Ordinance 1086-NS, effective October 9, 1990.

For purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:

(a) “Private Patrol Operator” or “operator of a private patrol service” shall mean a person who, for any consideration whatsoever, agrees to furnish, or furnishes, a watchperson, guard, security guard, patrol person, or other person to protect persons or property or to prevent the theft, unlawful taking, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation, or concealment of any goods, wares, merchandise, money, stocks, bonds, notes, documents, papers, or property of any kind, or who performs the service of such watchperson, security patrolperson, security guard, or other person for any such purposes.

(b) “Patrolperson” shall mean a person, other than a peace officer, acting in the course of his official duties, who, for hire, guards any person, or property as a member of a patrol service.

(c) “Patrol service operator” and “patrolperson” shall not include:

(1) A person employed exclusively and regularly by one employer in connection with the affairs of such employer only and where there exists an employer-employee relationship; or

(2) An officer or employee of the United States of America, or of the State, or a political subdivision thereof, or any city while such officer or employee is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties.

(§ 2, Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)

The Chief of Police may prescribe the size, shape, and inscription upon the badge or insignia to be worn by a patrolperson. The design shall be such as not to confuse the public or to be readily mistaken as a badge or insignia of an official of the State of California, an officer of the County Sheriff, a United States marshal, or official City police officer.

(§ 2, Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)

No patrolperson shall wear or be required to wear any uniform which is an imitation of, or can be mistaken for an official County sheriff, an official City police officer, or an official state officer’s uniform.

( § 2 Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)

All private patrol operators or private patrol services shall submit a facsimile of any badge, insignia or uniform to the City’s Chief of Police for his/her approval before being used.

(§ 2, Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)

Private patrol operators and private patrol services shall be prohibited from using any vehicle which resembles the vehicles used by any official public law enforcement agency including, but not limited to, the State, the County, or the City. All vehicles shall be approved by the City’s Chief of Police for his/her approval before being used.

(§ 2, Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)

No permittee shall perform or be required to perform, official police or investigation activities but shall report every violation of the law. Such report may be made by telephone or personal visit to the desk sergeant or other person charged with the duty of receiving reports of law violations. When requested by any law enforcement agency, a permittee shall, without unnecessary delay, make a full written report of any violation or other occurrence.

(§ 2, Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)

No operator of a patrol service shall employ or utilize the services in any way of a person who does not have in his possession a valid security guard’s or private patrol officer’s registration card issued by the State of California.

(§ 2, Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)

Each patrolperson shall carry a valid state registration card on his/her person at all times while engaged in employment as a private patrolperson and shall display the registration card to any peace officer upon request.

(§ 2, Ord. 1086-NS, eff. October 9, 1990)