International Foundation for Protection Officers

Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Can security officers enforce laws?

"How much authority do private security guards have to issue tickets and enforce laws?"

John B., Santa Rosa

A private security guard has no greater authority than anyone else when in public, and cannot issue tickets or citations.

It’s on private property where security guards’ responsibilities expand.

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Security guards are licensed by the state’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and “their level of engagement is determined by the employer,” according to a bureau spokeswoman. They can acquire permits to carry guns and batons.

Property owners can establish a set of rules — “‘thou shalt nots” — and “then you enforce them to the best of your ability,” often through warnings, said John Iervolino, a co-owner and manager with Santa Rosa-based SOCO Private Security.

Iervolino’s company employs about 20 guards, including some licensed to carry concealed or exposed weapons. They work for a variety of public and private clients, including Catholic Charities, Costco and the six-block area of Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square for the Historic Railroad Square Association.

Read the rest of the story here.

By |2016-12-20T21:43:45-05:00December 20th, 2016|News|Comments Off on Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Can security officers enforce laws?

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