Texas Private Security Board cracks down on unlicensed church "Security" teams

This year churches are being fined and threatened with criminal charges for disregarding state laws that regulate the security industry. There are a lot of opinions as to how to develop your security team. There are also a lot of legalities and liabilities to consider.

Liabilities -

Let me first say that the best solution is to leave security issues to the hands of professional security personnel. The potential liability issues from having a bunch of Good-O' Boys pummeling some over-zealous prophet or mentally ill person is not what your church wants. Having a bunch of Concealed Handgun Carrying yahoos as your security team is also a catastrophe waiting to happen. 

Legalities -

In Texas, the Department of Public Safety - Private Security Bureau (PSB) regulates the Security industry.

Each state has different regulations and should be fully researched before you develop your strategy.

In Texas it is a class A misdemeanor to provide, or even offer to provide, security services without a license. This can earn you up to one year in jail and $4,000 fine.

NOCSSM has worked with the Texas PSB to fully understand how churches can remain legal.

Here is what they say:

______________________________________________

This means no "Security" badges, uniforms, t-shirts, etc. The word "Security" can not be used. We suggest the term "Safety Patrol".

Further Opinion posted on Texas Private Security Bureau-

Click below to download Texas specific Private Security Board opinion on Church Security Volunteers

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The Potter's House are among the churches busted by Texas Private Security Board for operating without a license ..........

-----Original Message-----
From: chuck@gatekeepersalliance.org
To: swarfieldsmith00@aol.com
Sent: Thu, 10 May 2007 6:51 PM
Subject: PSB on the hunt

Sean,

I hear rumors and then confirmations. What happened with the PSB?

Supposedly they came down on a bunch of churches in the area. What was the deal and how did you fix it?

Highest Regards and God Bless,

Chuck Chadwick

President

Gatekeepers Security Services, LLC

6890 Main St., Suite A

Frisco, TX 75034

(972) 342-5682

www.gatekeeperssecurityservices.com

Sean's Reply -

From: swarfieldsmith00@aol.com [mailto:swarfieldsmith00@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:24 AM
To: chuck@gatekeepersalliance.org
Subject: Re: PSB on the hunt 

Chuck, sorry it took so long.  Yes you heard right.  They fined us and now we have contracted security out to another company.  My role has changed somewhat and Barry's position was deleted.  It was a major hit for us.  I think it was good for the staff, but for us in management it hurt somewhat. 

They are going to churches everywhere

Sean Smith

Each state has different regulatory bureaus / boards / departments that regulate the security industries.

We attempt to update when possible. Please report any inaccuracies to info@nocssm.org

Alabama
There is no state licensing for private investigation agencies in the state of Alabama.
You do need a state business license.
http://www.ador.state.al.us

Check your local county/city rules. Related State Law

Alaska
Alaska Department of Public Safety
Division of Statewide Services
Permits and Licensing Unit
5700 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
(907) 269-0393 voice
(907) 269-5609 fax
Webpage:
http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/dlo/security.htm

The state requires a business license to operate any type of business.
http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/dlo/fprvdet.htm

Arizona
Dept. of Public Safety, Licensing, Box 6638, Phoenix AZ 85005.Phone:(602) 223-2361
Web Site: http://www.dps.state.az.us/

Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies
#1 State Police Plaza Dr. Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 Phone (501) 618-8600 Fax: (501) 618-8621
Cpl. Wes Adams, Administrator
Web Site:
http://www.asp.state.ar.us/pl/pl.html

California
Department Of Consumer Affairs, Licensing Division, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
400 "R" Street, Suite 3040, Sacramento, CA 95814-6200 Phone:(800) 952-5210 (916) 445-1254
Web Site:
http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/
State Law: http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/piact.htm

Colorado
There is no statewide control over persons who seek to operate a Detective business, nor any bonding requirements, except in the city of Denver. So if you operate in the city limits you must have said permit, every thing else in CO is fair game. So sometimes it's a city thing as well.

Connecticut
Dept of Public Safety, Division of State Police,294 Colony Street, Meriden CT 06450 Phone (860) 685-8470 Fax (860) 685-8353
Web Site: http://www.state.ct.us/dps/SLFU/PrivateDetectivesHome.htm

Delaware
Detective Licensing, Delaware State Police, P. O. Box 430, Dover, DE 19903, (302) 736-5900.
Web Site:
http://www.state.de.us/dsp/

District of Columbia
Security Officers Mgmt Branch, Metro Police, Security Unit 2000, 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009. (202) 939-8722
Website:
http://mpdc.dc.gov/main.shtm

Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, Box 6687, Tallahassee FL 32314
Phone (850) 487-0482
Web Site:
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/
Check Investigator License:http://licgweb.dos.state.fl.us/access/individual.html
Handbook http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/investigations/index.html
State Law: http://tinyurl.com/3d935

Georgia
State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon GA 31217. Phone (478) 207-1460
Web Site: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/detective/default.htm

Hawaii
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, DCCA-PVL ATT: PDG, P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801, Phone (808) 586-2701
Email: detective@dcca.hawaii.gov
Website: http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/areas_private_detective.html
State Law: http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/hrs/index.html

Idaho
There is no Licensing Regulatory Agency in the state of Idaho, but the city of Boise has certain laws.

Website:
http://www.cityofboise.org/city_clerk/businesslicensing/index.aspx?ID=patrolservice

Illinois
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Phone (217)785-0800 Fax: (217)782-7645 FAX
Website: http://www.ildpr.com/WHO/dtct.asp
State Law: http://tinyurl.com/4ls6l

Indiana
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, (Attn: Private Detectives Licensing Board), 302 W. Washington Street, Room E034
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Staff Phone Number: (317) 234-3040 Staff email: pla11@pla.state.in.us
Website: http://www.in.gov/pla/bandc/detective/ State Law: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title25/ar30/

Iowa
Administrative Services Div., Iowa Dept of Public Safety, Wallace State Office Bldg, Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-3211.
Web Site:
http://www.state.ia.us/government/dps/
STATE LAW: http://www.state.ia.us/government/dps/iowacode/cd9780a.htm

Kansas
Bureau of Investigation, 1620 SW Tyler, Topeka KS 66612, Phone (785) 296-8200
Email link page: http://www.accesskansas.org/kbi/email.shtml
Website: http://www.accesskansas.org/kbi/

Kentucky
Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators,Box 1360, Frankfort KY 40601, Lisa Shelley Office (502) 564-3296 ext. 239
Fax: (502) 564-4818 Email: Lisa.Shelley@ky.gov
Website:
http://finance.ky.gov/ourcabinet/caboff/OAS/op/privinve/
Kentucky Private Investigative License Law: http://24.145.211.47/kpia/legislation.htm

Louisiana
Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners
15703 Old Hammond Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225/272-2310

Louisiana State Board of Private Investigators Examiners
2051 Silverside Drive, Suite 190, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Phone (225) 763-3556 Fax(225) 763-3536
Web site:
http://www.lsbpie.com
Email: lsbpie@intersurf.com

Maine
Department of Public Safety, Licensing and Inspection Unit, 164 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333, Telephone: (207) 624-8775
Website:
http://www.state.me.us/dps/

Maryland
Maryland State Police, PI Licensing Division, 7751 Washington Boulevard, Jessup MD 20794, Phone: (410) 799-0191 or (800) 525-5555
Website: http://www.mdsp.maryland.gov/mdsp/default.asp

Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Police, Special Licensing Unit, 20 Somerset St., Boston, MA 02108, Phone 617-727-6128, Fax (617) 727-6021.
Website: http://www.mass.gov/msp/massachu.htm State Private Investigator Law: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/147-22.htm

Michigan
Private Security and Investigator Unit,7150 Harris Drive, Lansing, MI 48913 Phone (517) 322-1966 Fax (517) 322-5551
Department of Consumer & Industry Services, Licensing Division--Private Detectives, Box 30018, Lansing MI 48909
Phone:(517) 241-5645 or (517) 373-9808
Website: http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-10557_12992_21297---,00.html

Minnesota
Board of Private Detective & Protective Agent Services, 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul MN 55106
Phone: (651)793-2666 Fax: (651)793-7065
Website: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/pdb/
Email: mn.pdb@state.mn.us
State Private Investigator Licensing Law: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/7506/

Mississippi
Yes and No.

Mississippi has a Board of Contractors (MSBOC). They do not regulate or license Security Guards, Personal Protective Services, Residential Alarm Installation, Low-Voltage Wiring, CCTV Installation, Locksmithing, or Private Investigators at all. It's wide open.

They do have licensing requirements for certain security related commercial work that is over $100k on private projects, or $50K on public projects.

Source: MSBOC
http://www.msboc.state.ms.us
1-800-880-6161

Armed Guards over covered under state law.

Basically, it requires that a person be employed by a security company and be on duty. There are no state standards for training, etc. , but they are required to get a permit.

Also:
Mississippi Highway Patrol Firearms Permit Unit

http://www.dps.state.ms.us/dps/dps.nsf/divpages/hp2fpu-permits?OpenDocument
General Phone: (601) 987-1212

For a business license, one can either get one locally, or register through the Secretary of State if using a LLC, Inc., or S-Corp, etc.


Missouri
None.
Note:
Kansas City , St Louis , Joplin , St Joseph , and Springfield require city licenses. A bill to establish licensing has been submitted.

Montana
Board of Private Security Officers & Investigators, 301 South Park, Room 430
Box 200513, Helena MT 59620 Phone: (406) 841-2300
Website: http://www.discoveringmontana.com/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/psp_board/board_page.asp
Nebraska
Secretary of State, Suite 2300 State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509. (402) 471-2554.
Web Site:
http://www.sos.state.ne.us/

Nevada
Private Investigator's Licensing Board, 100 N. Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701-4717, Phone (775) 687-3223
Website: http://ag.state.nv.us/faqs/workingaspi.htm
State Law: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-648.html

New Hampshire
State Police, Div of Licenses and Permits, 10 Hazen Drive, Room 106, Concord NH 03305 Phone (603) 271-3575
Website: http://www.nh.gov/safety/nhsp/pluda.html

New Jersey
State Police, Dept of Law & Public Safety, Private Detective Unit, P. O. Box 7068, W. Trenton, NJ 08688-0068. (609) 882-2000.
Website: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/njsp/about/srb.html#pdu
Rules::http://www.state.nj.us/lps/njsp/about/pdet_rules.html

New Mexico
Private Investigator and Polygraph Board, 2550 Cerrillos Road, P.O. Box 25101, Santa Fe, NM 87504-5101
Phone: (505)476-4650 Fax: (505) 476-464
Website: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/b&c/pipolygraph/index.htm

New York
New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
84 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208-3490
E-mail: licensing@dos.state.ny.us Telephone: (518) 474-4429 Fax: (518) 473-6648
Web Site: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/professions/watchguardpatrol/wgpmain.htm

North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Justice, Private Protective Services,1631 Midtown Place, Suite 104, Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 716-6400
Web Site:
http://www.ncdoj.com/law_enforcement/cle_pps.jsp
State Private Investigator Law: http://tinyurl.com/3jvqy

North Dakota
State of North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board, 513 Bismarck Expressway, Suite 5. Bismarck, ND 58504
Phone (701) 222-3063 Email: ndpisb@midco.net
Website: http://www.state.nd.us/pisb/
Licensing Law: http://www.state.nd.us/pisb/elig.html

Ohio
The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing
77 South High Street, 20th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6133, (614) 466-4100, (614) 466-4130
Email: REPLD@com.state.oh.us
Website:
http://www.homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/ohs_pisg.stm

Ohio just changed and now EP falls under Ohio's "Homeland Security" department, PA licensing changes, etc.

Oklahoma
Council on Law enforcement Education & Training, PO Box 11476, Oklahoma City, OK 73136 Phone (405) 425-2775
Website: http://www.cleet.state.ok.us/Private_Security.htm
State Law: http://oklegal.onenet.net/oklegal-cgi/get_statute?98/Title.59/59-1750.1.html

Oregon
Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
Private Security Unit
550 N. Monmouth
Monmouth, OR 97361-1330
503/378-2100, ext. 2406
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/DPSST/index.shtml

Board of Investigators, 445 State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon Street #33, Portland OR 97232
Phone: (503) 731-4359 Fax: (503) 731-4366 Email: pi.board@state.or.us
Website:
http://egov.oregon.gov/OBI/
Laws And Rules: http://www.obi.state.or.us/LawsandRules/LandR.htm

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Police
http://www.psp.state.pa.us
*See Mike Booth's post below for further details.

Puerto Rico
Policia De Puerto Rico
GPO Box 70166
San Juan , PR 00936
(809) 781-0227
Web Site:
http://www.estado.gobierno.pr/

Rhode Island
Licensed by each city and town by state law.

South Carolina
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division , PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398 Phone (803) 896-7014 Fax (803) 896-7037
Website: http://www.sled.state.sc.us/default.htm
State Law: http://www.lpitr.state.sc.us/bil95-96/507.htm

South Dakota
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
c/o Regulatory Department, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, S.C. 29221.
Web Site:
http://www.sled.state.sc.us/default.htm

Tennessee
Private Protective Services Div., Dept of Commerce & Insurance, 500 James Robertson Pkway, Nashville, TN 37243-1158. (615) 741-6382. Fax (615) 532-2965. Email: donna.hancock@state.tn.us Website:
http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/

Texas
Texas Commission On Private Security, 4616 Howard Lane #140,Austin, Texas 78728, Phone 512-238-5858, Fax -512-238-5853
Board of Private Investigators & Private Security Agencies, P. O. Box 13509, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711. (512) 463-5545.
Website:
http://hera.tcps.state.tx.us/
Law: http://www.tcps.state.tx.us/pi.aspx

Utah
Dept of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Identification, 3888 West 5400 South, Box 148280, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-8280
Phone 801-965-4445
Website:
http://www.bci.utah.gov/BailPI/PIHome.html
State Law: http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITLE53/53_09.htm

Vermont
Board of Private Investigative and Armed Security Services, Office of Professional Regulation, 109 State St., Montpelier, VT 05609-1101. (802) 828-2837.
Email: pskinner@sec.state.vt.us
Website:
http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/investigators/
Law: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullchapter.cfm?Title=26&Chapter=059

Virginia
Department of Criminal Justice Services, Private Security Section, Box 10110, Richmond VA 2324 Phone (804) 786-4700 Fax (804) 786-6344
Website:
http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/privatesecurity/index.cfm

Washington
Department of Licensing , Master License Service , PO Box 9034, Olympia, WA 98507-9034
Web site: http://www.dol.wa.gov/ppu/pifront.htm
Email: Security@dol.wa.gov
State law requirements:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/ppu/pireqmnt.htm

West Virginia
Secretary of State, Private Investigator, Licensing Division, Secretary of State Bldg. 1, Suite 157-K 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East. Charleston, WV 25305-0770(304) 558-6000 Fax (304) 558-0900. Email: licensing@wvsos.com Website: http://www.wvsos.com/licensing/piguard/main.htm

Wisconsin
Department of Regulation and Licensing, PO Box 8935 Madison, WI 53708-8935
Phone: (608) 266-5511 Fax 608) 267-3816.
Website:
http://drl.wi.gov/index.htm

.........................


Be advised you need to review both the Private Detective Licensing and the Private Security licensing for each state to determine where exactly EP work falls, some states you need security licensing, some private detective licensing, some depending on the situation either/or can work.

Many states don't have governing bodies specifically for security and EP falls under Private Detective licensing, again you have to do your research. Some states also have "licensing reciprocity" between states as well.

When in doubt, call the governing authority and ask for guidance.