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Uniform Requirements

 


Commissioned Security Officer


Sec. 1702.002. DEFINITIONS.
(5) "Commissioned security officer" means a security officer to whom a security officer commission has been issued by the Private Security Bureau
(21) "Security officer commission" means an authorization issued by the Private Security Bureau that entitles a security officer to carry a firearm.
(8) "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.01, Penal Code.

430.01 REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF A SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION BY THE PRIVATE SECURITY BUREAU
A. Applicant shall have successfully completed an approved 30-hour training program and be awarded a certificate of completion from a Private Security Bureau approved security officer training school.
B. The licensed company shall submit and maintain on file with the Private Security Bureau color photographs of the company uniform(s) shown in full length and as worn by its security officer employees, size 8 inches by 10 inches desired, 3 inches by 5 inches minimum acceptable. The photographs shall show the entire uniform, including a close-up of the badge, shoulder patch, and nameplate.

430.02 APPLICATION FOR A SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION
A completed security officer commission application shall be submitted on the most current version of the form provided by the Private Security Bureau.
A. The application shall include

1. The required fee;
2. At least two sets of fingerprints on fingerprint cards obtained from the Private Security Bureau and the $25.00 FBI Fingerprint Check Fee;
3. A copy of the applicant’s Level I and Level II certificate of completion; and
4. A copy of the certificate of completion provided to the applicant from a Private Security Bureau approved Level III training school.
a) The employer shall affix one recent color photograph to the pocket card when received and
b) The photograph shall be 1” x 1 1/4”

B. Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be returned for clarification or missing information.

433.02 FINGERPRINTS
A. An applicant for a registration, security officer commission or license under the provisions of this Act whose registration or commission has been expired for a period of time less than six months is not required to submit new fingerprint cards when making application.
B. Notwithstanding Private Security Bureau Section 433.05 of this title relating to Registration Deadline a licensee shall obtain the fingerprints of an applicant for a registration or security officer commission prior to assigning the applicant to duty.

434.04 PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECK
The employer of a commissioned security officer or registrant shall exercise due diligence in ensuring that an applicant's qualifications meet the provisions of Section 1702.113 of the Act, prior to duty assignment.

433.04 LICENSED COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF EMPLOYEES
It shall be the responsibility of the licensed company to register all employees required to register under the Act, with the Private Security Bureau.

433.05 REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Any person required to be registered with the Private Security Bureau must have their application on file within 14 days after commencing employment. Failure to comply may, at the discretion of the Private Security Bureau Manager, result in denial of the application.

433.00 - GENERAL REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

433.01 EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
A. A registrant or commissioned security officer of a licensed company must meet the specifications defined by the Internal Revenue Service as an "employee"- or “contract laborer.”
B. A licensee shall not make application for any person knowing that the conditions of that person's employment do not conform to Subsection (A) of this Section.
C. In the public interest and to ensure the good conduct of applicants for a registration or a security officer commission, they shall meet the requirements of Section 1702.113 of the Act.

430.03 DRUG TESTING REQUIRED FOR COMMISSIONED SECURITY OFFICERS
A. At least 15% of a licensee’s commissioned security officers at the main office and branch offices must submit to a commercially available means of drug screening, or be examined by a licensed physician each quarter and be declared in writing to show no trace of drug dependency or illegal drug use.
B. Any drug test performed under subsection (a) of this section shall include tests for at least methamphetamine, THC and other cannibinoids, cocaine, opiates and amphetamines.
C. No licensee shall place on duty any commissioned security officer who tests positive for any drug(s) or substance(s) until a successive test indicates no trace of the drug(s) or substance(s) for which the tests are performed.

433.01 EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
D. No licensee shall place on duty any employee who tests positive for any drug(s) or substance(s) until a successive test indicates no trace of the drug(s) or substance(s) for which the tests are performed, unless such medication is being taken under the direction of a license physician.

Sec. 1702.162. EMPLOYER'S APPLICATION FOR SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION.
The employer of a security officer who applies for a security officer commission for the officer must submit an application to the Private Security Bureau on a form provided by the Private Security Bureau.

Sec. 1702.163. QUALIFICATIONS FOR SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION.
(a) The Private Security Bureau may not issue a security officer commission to an applicant employed by a license holder unless the applicant submits satisfactory evidence the applicant has:
(1) completed the basic training course at a school or under an instructor approved by the Private Security Bureau;
(2) met each qualification established by this chapter and Private Security Bureau rule;
(3) achieved the score required by the Private Security Bureau on the examination under Section 1702.1685; and
(4) demonstrated to the satisfaction of the firearm training instructor that the applicant has complied with Private Security Bureau standards for minimum marksmanship competency with a shotgun..
(b) The Private Security Bureau may not issue a security officer commission to an individual who:
(1) is younger than 18 years of age;
(2) is a convicted felon; or
(3) has committed an act that, if committed by a license holder, would be grounds for suspension or revocation of a license.
Sec. 1702.165. ISSUANCE OF SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION; POCKET CARD.
(a) The Private Security Bureau, with the concurrence of the Texas Department of Public Safety:
(1) may issue a security officer commission to an individual employed as a uniformed security officer; and
(2) shall issue a security officer commission to a qualified employee of an armored car company that is a carrier conducting the armored car business under a federal or state permit or certificate.

(b) A security officer commission issued under this section must be in the form of a pocket card designed by the Private Security Bureau that identifies the security officer.

430.05 CARRYING OF A SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION
A private security officer who has been issued a security officer commission shall carry it while on duty and going to and from the place of assignment and shall present it upon request by a peace officer or to an investigator employed by the Private Security Bureau.

Sec. 1702.166. GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE OF SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION.
(a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), the geographical scope of a security officer commission is restricted to one named county and each county contiguous to the named county.
(b) The Private Security Bureau, with the concurrence of the Texas Department of Public Safety, may issue a security officer commission that is broader in geographical scope than that specified in Subsection (a) if the broader scope is shown to be in the public interest and necessary to the performance of the security officer's duties.

424.09 UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
A. Each commissioned security officer shall, at a minimum, display on the outermost garment the name of the company under whom the commissioned security officer is employed, the word “Security” and identification which contains the last name of the security officer.
B. The name of the company and the word “Security” shall be of a size, style, shape, design, and type which is clearly visible by reasonable person under normal conditions.

424.09 UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
D. No license shall display a badge, shoulder patch, logo or any other identification which contains the words “Law Enforcement” and/or similar word (s) including, but not limited to: agent, enforcement agent, detective, task force, fugitive recovery agent or any other combination of names which gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with the Federal government, State government or any political subdivision of a State government

Sec. 1702.130. USE OF CERTAIN TITLES, UNIFORMS, INSIGNIA, OR IDENTIFICATIONS PROHIBITED. (a) A license holder, or an officer, director, partner, manager, or employee of a license holder, may not:
(1) use a title, an insignia, or an identification card, wear a uniform, or make a statement with the intent to give an impression that the person is connected with the federal government, a state government, or a political subdivision of a state government; or
(2) use a title, an insignia, or an identification card or wear a uniform containing the designation "police."
(3) Subsection (a) does not prohibit a commissioned security officer employed by a political subdivision of this state from using a title, insignia, or identification card, wearing a uniform, or making a statement indicating the employment of that individual by the political subdivision.

424.00 - STANDARDS

424.04 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
E. Commissioned security officers or personal protection officers shall carry only a firearm of the category with which they have been formally trained and of which training documentation is on file with the Private Security Bureau. Firearm categories will be shown on the individual's registration card and will be:

1. SA: any handgun, whether semi-automatic or not,
2. NSA: handguns that are not semi-automatic,
3. STG: any shotgun.
F. No commissioned security officer or personal protection officer shall carry an inoperative, unsafe, replica or simulated firearm while in the course and scope of their employment.
G. No commissioned security officer or personal protection officer shall brandish, point, exhibit, or otherwise display a firearm at anytime, except as authorized by law.
H. The discharge of a firearm while in the performance of their duty by any person registered, or commissioned by a licensee shall be reported to the Austin office of the Private Security Bureau ommission. Notification of the discharge of a firearm shall be in writing within 24 hours of the incident, and shall be faxed by the licensee, or manager. The fax shall be addressed to the Private Security Bureau Manager at (512) 424-7729. The fax shall include:
1. Name of the person discharging the firearm:
2. Name of the employer;
3. Location of the incident;
4. A brief narrative of what happened;
5. Whether death, personal injury or property damaged resulted, and
6. Whether the incident is being or was investigated by a law enforcement agency.
430.04 VIOLATIONS BY COMMISSIONED SECURITY OFFICERS
In additional to other rules, a commissioned security officer shall not:
A. Perform commissioned security officer duties for any person(s) other than the employer as indicated in the Private Security Bureau records;
B. Carry a pocket card to which the security officer has failed to affix his signature and photograph to the Private Security Bureau card;
C. Fail to timely surrender his commission card upon written notice served by the Private Security Bureau;
D. Possess or use any security officer commission which has been altered; or
E. Deface or allow improper use of his security officer commission.

Sec. 1702.169. FIREARM RESTRICTIONS.
A commissioned security officer may not carry a firearm unless:
(1) the security officer is:
(A) engaged in the performance of duties as a security officer; or
(B) traveling directly to or from the place of assignment;

(2) the security officer wears a distinctive uniform indicating that the individual is a security officer; and the firearm is in plain view, except as provided by Section 1702.206.

422.01 FRAUDULENT APPLICATION PROHIBITED
Applications submitted to the Private Security Bureau are government documents and/or records. A fraudulent application for a license, registration or security officer commission pursuant to the Act is a criminal offense. Applicants that willfully make false statements in making applications for licenses, registrations, or security officer commissions pursuant to the Act, or otherwise commit a violation in connection with such application, will be subject to prosecution.

422.02 PERMITTING OR ALLOWING VIOLATIONS
Any person who has applied for or been issued a license, registration, security officer commission, instructor approval, school approval, or letter of authority, shall not knowingly permit or allow any person to violate a provision of the Act, a Private Security Bureau rule, or any Criminal Statute.

Sec. 1702.161. SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION REQUIRED.
(a) An individual may not accept employment as a security officer to carry a firearm in the course and scope of the individual's duties unless the individual holds a security officer commission.
(b) An individual employed as a security officer may not knowingly carry a firearm during the course of performing duties as a security officer unless the Private Security Bureau has issued a security officer commission to the individual.
(c) A person may not hire or employ an individual as a security officer to carry a firearm in the course and scope of the individual's duties unless the individual holds a security officer commission.

440.13 SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING MANUAL AND EXAMINATION
A. The Private Security Bureau's most current version training manual shall be used by all approved Level III training schools.
B. All students of a Level III training school shall be tested with the most current version examination prepared by and obtained from the Private Security Bureau.
C. The passing grade of all examinations shall be a minimum of 75% correct answers.

Sec. 1702.1675. TRAINING PROGRAMS.
(a) The Private Security Bureau shall establish a basic training course for commissioned security officers. The course must include, at a minimum:

(1) general security officer training issues;
(2) classroom instruction on handgun proficiency; and
(3) range instruction on handgun proficiency.
(b) The course must be offered and taught by schools and instructors approved by the Private Security Bureau. To receive commission approval, a school or an instructor must submit an application on a form provided by the Private Security Bureau.
(c) The basic training course must consist of a minimum of 30 hours.
(d) The general security officer-training portion of the course must include instruction on:
(1) Private Security Bureau rules and applicable state laws;
(2) field note taking and report writing; and
(3) any other topics of security officer training curriculum the Private Security Bureau considers necessary.
(e) The Private Security Bureau shall develop a commissioned security officer training manual that contains applicable state laws and Private Security Bureau rules to be used in the instruction and training of commissioned security officers.
(f) The commission shall adopt rules necessary to administer the provisions of this section concerning the training requirements of this chapter.
(g) The handgun proficiency course must include at least 10 hours and not more than 15 hours of instruction on:
(1) the laws that relate to weapons and to the use of deadly force;
(2) handgun use, proficiency, and safety;
(3) nonviolent dispute resolution; and
(4) proper storage practices for handguns, with an emphasis on storage practices that eliminate the possibility of accidental injury to a child.

(h) The range instruction on handgun proficiency must include an actual demonstration by the applicant of the applicant’s ability to safely and proficiently use a handgun. The applicant must demonstrate, at a minimum, the degree of proficiency that is required to effectively operate a 9-millimeter or .38-caliber handgun.
(i) The Private Security Bureau by rule shall establish minimum standards for handgun proficiency that are at least as stringent as the standards for handgun proficiency developed by the public safety director under Section 411.188, Government Code.

Sec. 1702.168. FIREARM REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In addition to the requirements of Section 1702.163(a), the Private Security Bureau by rule shall establish other qualifications for individuals who are employed in positions requiring the carrying of firearms. The qualifications may include:

(1) physical and mental standards;
(2) standards of good moral character; and
(3) other requirements that relate to the competency and reliability of individuals to carry firearms.
(b) The Private Security Bureau shall prescribe appropriate forms and adopt rules by which evidence is presented that the requirements are fulfilled.

Sec. 1702.1685. HANDGUN PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION.
(a) The proficiency examination required to obtain or renew a security officer commission must include:
(1) a written section on the subjects listed in Section 1702.1675. (g); and
(2) a physical demonstration of handgun proficiency that meets the minimum standards established under Section 1702.1675 (h) or (i).
(b) Only a Private Security Bureau-approved instructor may administer the handgun proficiency examination.
(c) An applicant for a security officer commission must demonstrate the required proficiency within the 90-day period before the date the security officer commission is issued.
(d) The school shall maintain the records of the required proficiency and make the records available for inspection by the Private Security Bureau.

440.09 FIREARM COURSES
A. In addition to the firearm qualification requirements as set forth in the Act, a firearm instructor may qualify a student by using:
1. The Texas Department of Public Safety Practical Combat Pistol Course;
2. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Practical Pistol Course;
3. The Texas Department of Public Safety Approved Concealed Handgun Weapons Range Qualifications course; or
4. Other training as may be approved by the Private Security Manager.

B. All individuals qualifying with a firearm to satisfy the requirements of the Act or Private Security Bureau rules shall qualify with an actual demonstration by the individual of their ability to safely and proficiently use the category of firearm for which the individual seeks qualification.
C. The categories of handguns are: SA: any handgun, whether semi-automatic or not; and NSA: handguns that are not semi-automatic.
D. The category for any shotgun is STG.

440.10 SHOTGUN TRAINING
Competency with a shotgun shall be determined by the firearms training instructor after instructing the student in the operation of a shotgun, and the satisfactory completion of the Shotgun Training requirements of Rule 440.11.

440.11 SHOTGUN TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Any commissioned security officer licensed by the Private Security Bureau who, in the performance of his/her duties, has a shotgun available to assist in the protection of life or property must demonstrate competency by successfully completing the course of fire for shotgun training. The course of fire shall consist of nine rounds of nine (9) pellet “00” buckshot fired as follows:

A. From a standing position at a distance of fifteen (15) yards, three (3) rounds of “00” buckshot in twelve (12) seconds;
B. From a standing position at a distance of ten (10) yards, three (3) rounds of “00” buckshot in ten (10) seconds;
C. From a standing position at a distance of five (5) yards, three (3) rounds of “00” buckshot in ten (10) seconds; or
D. An alternate course of fire may be approved by the Private Security Bureau Manager upon receipt of written application.
E. A biennial familiarization of six (6) rounds of “00” buckshot shall be required for renewal of a security officer commission.

1. The course of fire shall be as outlined in Rule 440.11 reducing the number of rounds from three (3) to two (2) with a commensurate halving of time in each category.
2. The Private Security Bureau Manager may approve an alternate course of fire upon receipt of written application.
Sec. 1702.167. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AS COMMISSIONED SECURITY OFFICER; TRANSFER OF COMMISSION.
The holder of a security officer commission who terminates employment with one employer may transfer the individual's commission to a new employer if, not later than the 14th day after the date the individual begins the new employment, the new employer notifies the Private Security Bureau of the transfer of employment on a form prescribed by the Private Security Bureau, accompanied by payment of the employee information update fee.

430.06 RENEWAL OF SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION
The renewal period for security officer commissions shall be the calendar month prior to the expiration of the security officer commission.

Sec. 1702.309. SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION RENEWAL.
(a) The Private Security Bureau by rule shall develop a continuing education course in handgun proficiency required for renewal of a security officer commission. Only a Private Security Bureau-approved instructor may administer the continuing education course. The course must include:
(1) at least four hours of instruction on one or more of the subjects listed in Section 1702.1675 (g); and
(2) other information that the Private Security Bureau Manager determines is appropriate.
(b) A commissioned security officer must demonstrate the proficiency required under Section 1702.1685 within the 90-day period before the date the commission is renewed.


442.01 CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
5. Commissioned security officers and personal protection officers shall complete six (6) hours of continuing education. Continuing education for commissioned security officers and personal protection officers must be taught by schools and instructors approved by the Private Security Bureau to instruct commissioned security officers as defined in 1702.1685. Commissioned security officers shall submit a firearms proficiency certificate along with their renewal application.

Sec. 1702.171. SECURITY OFFICER COMMISSION RECORDS.
The Private Security Bureau shall adopt rules for the maintenance of records relating to an individual issued a security officer commission.

434.00 - COMPANY RECORDS

434.01 EMPLOYEE RECORDS
Licensed companies shall keep records of all registered or commissioned employees. Records shall be maintained for a period of two years from the last date of employment. The following records shall be maintained:

A. Full name of employee, date of employment, position and address;
B. Social Security Number;
C. Last date of Employment;
D. Date and place of birth; and
E. One color photograph; and
F. The results of any drug screens for commissioned security officers.

434.02 LOCATION OF RECORDS
Records of registered employees shall be maintained at the following locations:

A. If a company has no branch offices, the records shall be maintained at the principal place of business.
B. If a company has one or more branch offices, the records shall be maintained at the branch office where the registrant or commissioned security officer is employed.
C. A company shall notify the Private Security Bureau of any centralization of records when a branch is closed or if records from area branch offices are centralized.

434.03 RECORDS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION
All records required to be kept under the provisions of the Act and Private Security Bureau Rules shall be made available for inspection by Private Security Bureau staff during normal business hours.

434.05 RECORDS REQUIRED ON COMMISSIONED SECURITY OFFICERS
The employer of a commissioned security officer shall maintain current records on all persons issued a security officer commission for Private Security Bureau inspection. The records shall contain:

A. Current residence of the security officer;
B. Current duty assignment and location of assignment; and
C. Results of any drug screens administered;
D. Documented information on training required and provided.

Sec. 1702.170. NONAPPLICABILITY OF FIREARM RESTRICTIONS.
Sections 1702.161, 1702.169, and 1702.206 do not apply to the holder of a temporary security officer commission who:
(1) is in uniform;
(2) possesses only one firearm; and
(3) is performing the individual's duties.

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