Cali Gard Gets Probation for Impersonating, Weapons Charge

[N. A. Corbier]

http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=5&id=28052

A security guard who prosecutors said passed himself off as a police officer to stop a motorist on the freeway and also brought a gun into a courthouse has been placed on three years' probation
Timothy Higley, 30, of Skyline also was ordered to complete 35 days of public work service. Higley pleaded guilty Nov. 11 to false imprisonment and the gun charge. He faced a maximum sentence of more than three years in prison.

--

This guy brought a loaded 9mm to court, in his company uniform. The OTHER security guards at the court house, and baliffs, failed to realize he shouldn't be carrying that AFTERWARDS. They blamed it on a smiliar uniform to a Deputy Sheriff.

Anyone know how this guy got California Exempt Plates on his CVPI?

[Mr. Security]

If this gun incident were the only problem, I could see giving the guy a break with just a misdemeanor conviction. Unfortunately though, there seems to be a pattern of misconduct based on the 2003 traffic stop incident and the wannabe behavior with the Crown Vic. If the facts are as they have been reported, I can understand the felony conviction. Too bad he just didn't go ahead and qualify as a police officer since he is academy trained. :(

[Bill Warnock]

I am dumbfounded by the ability of an armed uniformed person able to enter a courthouse, without presenting valid law enforcement credentials and then being required to place his weapon in a lock box.
The light sentence indicates "egg on the faces" of the good guys.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

How this person got past court security and bailiffs, I would love to know. Or why he had exempt plates on his CVPI.

[Echos13]

This has happend many times here in Florida (central county area) in both county and federal buildings. Mostly because some of these WB companies gobble up the contracts with low bids. As they say, you get what you pay for I guess. As far as the impersonating an LEO. Thats pretty messed up. If he was certified I wonder why he never (or has) became one? Under what he's facing now there is a good chance it will never happen. If his standards are not taken away from him the state will surely yank his security license. OH, yea.. if he is lucky and is not imprsioned.

[EMTGuard]

What a whacker.

He said that when he brought the gun to court, he didn't know he wasn't allowed to do so.
"I was under the impression that I had the authority . . . to come in like I did," Higley said. He was OFF DUTY. He had NO business showing up in uniform with his gun on. If he was running late he should have had a spare civvie shirt in his car to change into after work. His security assignment was not at the courthouse so he had NO business walking in with the gun on his hip. The duty belt and gun should have been taken off and stored in the trunk of his car as soon as he got off duty or when he got to the parking lot at the courthouse.
Doesn't everyone carry a small bag in their POV with a spare uniform in case they take a tumble in the mud in the middle of the shift? A spare pair of socks and a nice pull over golf/polo shirt means that your feet can stay warm and dry and you have something besides your uniform to wear when you get off shift.
And the excuse by the courthouse security force that the uniform resembled those worn by deputies was BS. You work in a courthouse around the deputies all day and you can't tell the difference between them and a security officer with different patches and badges? Time to find another job, Jethro because those metal detectors have given you brain damage.

[1stWatch]

What baffles me about this case is if this person was law enforcement certified, as he claimed, he would be knowledgable about the appropriate statutes here. Performing those violations after gaining such education makes him more culpable, not less. The place where he got his security certification and the company he worked for also seem negligent for not emphasizing where he was and was not authorized to carry his weapon, if they indeed did not emphasize those things. However, something tells me he was aware of those things and decided to pull a car over for speeding on a public highway and then later wear his weapon into a courtroom. If he was not aware of those seemingly basic laws and this is the standard security meets in California, I certainly will never do that job there.

[Mr. Security]

What a whacker.
He was OFF DUTY. He had NO business showing up in uniform with his gun on. If he was running late he should have had a spare civvie shirt in his car to change into after work. His security assignment was not at the courthouse so he had NO business walking in with the gun on his hip.

Excellent point. Most security companies do not allow you to wear their uniform while off duty. Generally, you are permitted to wear it when traveling directly to and from work, while on duty, and when testifying in court as a witness for a case involving the company. Even if he was at court to testify in the aforementioned capacity, he NEVER should have had his duty belt on, let alone carry a firearm.

[N. A. Corbier]

This is how I do court apperances:

- Full company uniform
- 2 1/2" Leather Duty Belt, w/ keepers
- Company Radio / Nextel

If the D.A. / S.A. isn't comfortable with one of their witnesses who is not a LEO on the stand in uniform, I wear a suit. Normally, I simply ask the ASA handling the case, "uniform or suit?" Most will say uniform after seeing me in it, as it gives a "competent" look that the judge/jury may like.

It also scares the defendant's counsel, quite frankly, to see a squared away security officer sitting in the ASA's office reviewing his notes - or worse, conversing with the police officers called to depo and reviewing notes TOGETHER.

[1stWatch]

Competency + Respect = Results
"I wasn't aware I couldn't do that" = Incompetency

[Lawson]

I want to know which company he worked for.

Sadly... it sounds like it could be mine... Our Custom Protection Officers wear a uniform that really does look like a Deputy Sheriff and I wouldnt be too suprised seeing them getting site cars for some of the power plants they work on with XMT plates.

[The_Mayor]

Or why he had exempt plates on his CVPI.

He probably had a friend or some connection in the DMV that gave him cold plates.

[The_Mayor]

And the excuse by the courthouse security force that the uniform resembled those worn by deputies was BS. You work in a courthouse around the deputies all day and you can't tell the difference between them and a security officer with different patches and badges? Time to find another job, Jethro because those metal detectors have given you brain damage.

Funny thing is.. the security industry gets the reputation of those Deputies (good for nothing, sloth, being unattentive etc).

[1stWatch]

In the title of the thread, this person is referred to as a "Cali Gard". Is the word "gard" a typo or is that actually how they spell it over there? "Gard Card"? Sounds like a setup from the beginning for humiliation. :rolleyes:

[N. A. Corbier]

The guy falsified his DMV records to get exempt tags, according to several folks on Officer.com.

[1stWatch]

The guy falsified his DMV records to get exempt tags, according to several folks on Officer.com.

I'm not really familiar with the statutes in California, but if they are similar to mine, then he should also be charged with forgery, which is also a felony.

[tlangsr]

He probably had a friend or some connection in the DMV that gave him cold plates.

either that or the were stolen.

[Lawson]

For a minute there, I thought this was a late-breaking news story... then I realized its a long dead, forgotten, but apparently not looked over article. :p

[sgtnewby]

We had a private S/O come into our ER wanting to be seen. He had parked his company squad in our front driveway which is reserved for pick up and drop off of patients, and special permit parking. This guy was armed and we only allow LE to carry firearms mostly because it is a county hospital. We have an office / control booth in Triage with a gun lock box. We advised him that we could either lock it up for him and he could hold on to the key or he would have to secure the gun in his squad because he was not allowed to carry it inside. So, he had options. But he insisted that he was a "federal agent" and not allowed to surrender his weapon. :confused: In reality, he was a private contract S/O, contracted by the feds, you know, the guys that carry the issued wheel guns. He was mad, very adimate that he was a federal agent, and we asked him if he was licenced by the state of Minnesota as a peace officer. He said "yes." Well, we knew he was full of it, but my supervisor caved in and allowed him to be seen in one of the patient rooms directly behind the Triage desk for his "headache." Who goes to an emergeny department at a level 1 trauma center for a headache? Nevermind, that's a dumb question considering we've had people show up in an ambulence complaining of belly-button lint. I would have called PD and had him arrested for impersonating. It's idiots like that that make us all look bad. :(

[N. A. Corbier]

We had a private S/O come into our ER wanting to be seen. He had parked his company squad in our front driveway which is reserved for pick up and drop off of patients, and special permit parking. This guy was armed and we only allow LE to carry firearms mostly because it is a county hospital. We have an office / control booth in Triage with a gun lock box. We advised him that we could either lock it up for him and he could hold on to the key or he would have to secure the gun in his squad because he was not allowed to carry it inside. So, he had options. But he insisted that he was a "federal agent" and not allowed to surrender his weapon. :confused: In reality, he was a private contract S/O, contracted by the feds, you know, the guys that carry the issued wheel guns. He was mad, very adimate that he was a federal agent, and we asked him if he was licenced by the state of Minnesota as a peace officer. He said "yes." Well, we knew he was full of it, but my supervisor caved in and allowed him to be seen in one of the patient rooms directly behind the Triage desk for his "headache." Who goes to an emergeny department at a level 1 trauma center for a headache? Nevermind, that's a dumb question considering we've had people show up in an ambulence complaining of belly-button lint. I would have called PD and had him arrested for impersonating. It's idiots like that that make us all look bad. :(

Unfortunately, many people do believe that he is a sworn law enforcement officer. And by "many people," I mean law enforcement officers and websites. Its even worse when the contract guards are called "police officers," such as on the Marshall Islands.

I've met a few DOD Gate Guards. They fully believe they are federal law enforcement officers. What they fail to realize is, off that base, they become a civilian. Just like a VA Police Officer used to be. Of course, for the longest while, the VA Police were security guards.

[sgtnewby]

In the case of the guard in Cali resembling a deputy, that's why Minnesota only allows security to wear black, white, or gray. Police in Minnesota, with the exception of white sometimes, don't wear those colors for the most part. It always surprises me when I'm in another state and I see security wearing blues, browns, and tans. That would never fly in Minnesota. Actually, now that I think of it, another (now former) county hospital in the twin cities wore navy blue uniforms as security, and now that it's a private hospital, they still do. We wear black. I wonder how they get away with with that... :confused:

[tlangsr]

In California the only way to where a uniform that resembles a Peace officers uniform is if we get permission from the head of that agency(i.e. Chief or Sheriff)
We only where Gray, white, or baby blue, with black or navy blue trousers. Unless you are a cpo or bpo with wackenhut.

[Chucky]

Ok It states that he was only cited on his way out of court. Shouldn't the court security that are stationed in the actual court room have said hey this guy is a security guard and that the reason he is on trial is cause he was impersonating a real cop. Oh!! wait a min he is packing in a court of law and not a cop. Maybe we need to take him down before he shoots the judge. Something seems pretty lax in that towns court system.

[tlangsr]

Ok It states that he was only cited on his way out of court. Shouldn't the court security that are stationed in the actual court room have said hey this guy is a security guard and that the reason he is on trial is cause he was impersonating a real cop. Oh!! wait a min he is packing in a court of law and not a cop. Maybe we need to take him down before he shoots the judge. Something seems pretty lax in that towns court system.

the stupidest thing of all is that it was in San diego, CA. There is a population of around 1.2million people(2002). It is the second largest city in California. Yet court security still didn't catch himuntil he was leaving?

[sgtnewby]

Ok It states that he was only cited on his way out of court. Shouldn't the court security that are stationed in the actual court room have said hey this guy is a security guard and that the reason he is on trial is cause he was impersonating a real cop. Oh!! wait a min he is packing in a court of law and not a cop. Maybe we need to take him down before he shoots the judge. Something seems pretty lax in that towns court system.


I agree, they knew in court that he was just a security guard. It doesn't excuse what he did, but come on. He's starting to seem like he was more attentive then they were.

[tlangsr]

I agree, they knew in court that he was just a security guard. It doesn't excuse what he did, but come on. He's starting to seem like he was more attentive then they were.

I just barely found out that LE could carry in court while I was doing transport. We had to walk from the County jail to the court house to pick up warrants in San francisco. The cops looked at me like I was crazy, as I was unarmed in an LE uniform. That's when I was informed that as long as it was for something official, I can carry.

[Bill Warnock]

We had a private S/O come into our ER wanting to be seen. He had parked his company squad in our front driveway which is reserved for pick up and drop off of patients, and special permit parking. This guy was armed and we only allow LE to carry firearms mostly because it is a county hospital. We have an office / control booth in Triage with a gun lock box. We advised him that we could either lock it up for him and he could hold on to the key or he would have to secure the gun in his squad because he was not allowed to carry it inside. So, he had options. But he insisted that he was a "federal agent" and not allowed to surrender his weapon. :confused: In reality, he was a private contract S/O, contracted by the feds, you know, the guys that carry the issued wheel guns. He was mad, very adimate that he was a federal agent, and we asked him if he was licenced by the state of Minnesota as a peace officer. He said "yes." Well, we knew he was full of it, but my supervisor caved in and allowed him to be seen in one of the patient rooms directly behind the Triage desk for his "headache." Who goes to an emergeny department at a level 1 trauma center for a headache? Nevermind, that's a dumb question considering we've had people show up in an ambulence complaining of belly-button lint. I would have called PD and had him arrested for impersonating. It's idiots like that that make us all look bad. :(
The next time that happens, ask the person what federal agency he is with and his picture ID. A quick with the agency will let you know. It is a federal felony to impersonate a federal officer.
That is the reason a federal agency sends the patient and an escort with the person. When they get to the ER, the armed agent surrenders his weapon to the escort who is also a sworn agent.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[ForceProtectionOfficer]

We had a private S/O come into our ER wanting to be seen. He had parked his company squad in our front driveway which is reserved for pick up and drop off of patients, and special permit parking. This guy was armed and we only allow LE to carry firearms mostly because it is a county hospital. We have an office / control booth in Triage with a gun lock box. We advised him that we could either lock it up for him and he could hold on to the key or he would have to secure the gun in his squad because he was not allowed to carry it inside. So, he had options. But he insisted that he was a "federal agent" and not allowed to surrender his weapon. :confused: In reality, he was a private contract S/O, contracted by the feds, you know, the guys that carry the issued wheel guns. He was mad, very adimate that he was a federal agent, and we asked him if he was licenced by the state of Minnesota as a peace officer. He said "yes." Well, we knew he was full of it, but my supervisor caved in and allowed him to be seen in one of the patient rooms directly behind the Triage desk for his "headache." Who goes to an emergeny department at a level 1 trauma center for a headache? Nevermind, that's a dumb question considering we've had people show up in an ambulence complaining of belly-button lint. I would have called PD and had him arrested for impersonating. It's idiots like that that make us all look bad. :(

Was he wearing a white shirt? Sounds like someone from Akal Security? I know they are contracted by the Federal Protective Service Police to guard the federal building at Fort Snelling. The only uniformed Federal Law Enforcement around the twin cities are: Federal Protective Service Police,Veterans Affair Police, Federal Reserve Police, Department of Defense Police, and U.S Customs. If he's a federal agent/officer then he should have no problem showing his federal credential. Also Federal Law Enforcement does not have state peace officer license. Federal Officers have nation wide jurisdiction so state license is useless.

[ForceProtectionOfficer]

I just barely found out that LE could carry in court while I was doing transport. We had to walk from the County jail to the court house to pick up warrants in San francisco. The cops looked at me like I was crazy, as I was unarmed in an LE uniform. That's when I was informed that as long as it was for something official, I can carry.

You said you are in a LE uniform but your profile says you are a security officer. Security is NOT Law Enforcement. Am i missing something here?

[ForceProtectionOfficer]

In the case of the guard in Cali resembling a deputy, that's why Minnesota only allows security to wear black, white, or gray. Police in Minnesota, with the exception of white sometimes, don't wear those colors for the most part. It always surprises me when I'm in another state and I see security wearing blues, browns, and tans. That would never fly in Minnesota. Actually, now that I think of it, another (now former) county hospital in the twin cities wore navy blue uniforms as security, and now that it's a private hospital, they still do. We wear black. I wonder how they get away with with that... :confused:

Spartan Protection is located in Minneapolis and they got green uniforms, what's up with that?

[tlangsr]

You said you are in a LE uniform but your profile says you are a security officer. Security is NOT Law Enforcement. Am i missing something here?

Currently I am a security officer but I was LE as I did Prisoner Transport.

[BadBoynMD]

Here in Maryland security uniforms are not regulated. Montgomery County Police wear pink-tan pants, silver-tan shirts, where the sheriffs wear brown pants..pink-tan shirts....a security company I use to work for purchased a police departments old uniforms (as they switched to a new uniform), which was pink-tan pants (like the county police) and brown shirts. I, on a daily basis was taken for a county police officer, funny part is I, wasnt even armed. Before the change to this uniform the company uniform was identical to state police.

[ForceProtectionOfficer]

Unfortunately, many people do believe that he is a sworn law enforcement officer. And by "many people," I mean law enforcement officers and websites. Its even worse when the contract guards are called "police officers," such as on the Marshall Islands.

I've met a few DOD Gate Guards. They fully believe they are federal law enforcement officers. What they fail to realize is, off that base, they become a civilian. Just like a VA Police Officer used to be. Of course, for the longest while, the VA Police were security guards.

DOD have Gate Guards and Police. DOD guards will have GUARD on thier patches, DOD Police ARE federal law enforcement officers. IF they have police arrest powers then chances they ARE police.

[sgtnewby]

Was he wearing a white shirt? Sounds like someone from Akal Security? I know they are contracted by the Federal Protective Service Police to guard the federal building at Fort Snelling. The only uniformed Federal Law Enforcement around the twin cities are: Federal Protective Service Police,Veterans Affair Police, Federal Reserve Police, Department of Defense Police, and U.S Customs. If he's a federal agent/officer then he should have no problem showing his federal credential. Also Federal Law Enforcement does not have state peace officer license. Federal Officers have nation wide jurisdiction so state license is useless.

Yes, it was AKAL. I had never actually heard of them prior to this incident. The last I knew, GSSC had the government contract. A buddy of mine used to work that contract before he joined New Orleans PD. I do know that federal officers don't need state licencing, but we asked him anyway just to see what he would say, he was already saying he was a federal agent when we knew full well he was just a private contract S/O, and he did say he was licenced by the state. Just a side question, you mentioned Spartan Protection. Are they still in business? And wearing green? :confused:

[ForceProtectionOfficer]

Yes, it was AKAL. I had never actually heard of them prior to this incident. The last I knew, GSSC had the government contract. A buddy of mine used to work that contract before he joined New Orleans PD. I do know that federal officers don't need state licencing, but we asked him anyway just to see what he would say, he was already saying he was a federal agent when we knew full well he was just a private contract S/O, and he did say he was licenced by the state. Just a side question, you mentioned Spartan Protection. Are they still in business? And wearing green? :confused:

GSSC lost the bid on the contract with FPS and the federal court house downtown. I'm guessing the wannabe federal agent came from the federal court house. If i were you, i would call his supervisor and notify them. He just committed a felony. Yes Spartan Protection is still in business. Their uniform consist of a dark green shirt and black pants. I was talking to one of them couple months ago. I heard the owner is a crook, he'll rip you off any chance he gets. There was also an incident where one of the AKAL security officer was pulled over by a MN State Trooper. The security officer told the trooper that he was a FPS police officer and produced a HID badge (the kind where u need to get inside a building). Well on the back it has the phone # to the federal building. The trooper called to verify and found out he was a contracted security guard. He was fired. He got a speeding ticket and was also charged with impersonating a federal officer.

[sgtnewby]

GSSC lost the bid on the contract with FPS and the federal court house downtown. I'm guessing the wannabe federal agent came from the federal court house. If i was you, i would call his supervisor and notify them. He just committed a felony. Yes Spartan Protection is still in business. Their uniform consist of a dark green shirt and black pants. I was talking to one of them couple months ago. I heard the owner is a crook, he'll rip you off any chance he gets. There was also an incident where one of the AKAL security officer was pulled over by a MN State Trooper. The security officer told the trooper that he was a FPS police officer and produced a HID badge (the kind where u need to get inside a building). Well on the back it has the phone # to the federal building. The trooper called to verify and found out he was a contracted security guard. He was fired. He got a speeding ticket and was also charged with impersonating a federal officer.


OMG! :eek: Don't they have to take psych evals? I wonder if it was the same guy... :rolleyes: Our incident was about 1 to 2 years ago.

[sgtnewby]

Ya know, this morning after I left work I stopped at Bobby & Steve's on Washington (you Minnesotan's know what I'm talking about) and there was an armored car company servicing the ATM. There was also about 5 MPD cops in there. This armored car company wears light blue shirts and navy blue pants! I'll say it again, how do they get away with this? :rolleyes:

[N. A. Corbier]

Ya know, this morning after I left work I stopped at Bobby & Steve's on Washington (you Minnesotan's know what I'm talking about) and there was an armored car company servicing the ATM. There was also about 5 MPD cops in there. This armored car company wears light blue shirts and navy blue pants! I'll say it again, how do they get away with this? :rolleyes:

Most police officers in Florida had no clue about the laws relating to security. They just assumed any person in a security guard uniform could carry a gun. With such strange (to me) DPS regulations as what uniform color you can wear... Are the police even aware?

[ForceProtectionOfficer]

Ya know, this morning after I left work I stopped at Bobby & Steve's on Washington (you Minnesotan's know what I'm talking about) and there was an armored car company servicing the ATM. There was also about 5 MPD cops in there. This armored car company wears light blue shirts and navy blue pants! I'll say it again, how do they get away with this? :rolleyes:

Light blue shirts with navy pants.....must be AT System. Armored truck is white and black right? I used to work for Dunbar Armored and they were next door to us. Also when i was working for Wolf Protective Agency, Bobby and Steve was one of my patrol stop. But it was a 4 hours long stop from midnight til 4. Most nights we had 5 officers to protect that place. That was one of the worst place ever! One night, there was almost a shooting. I wasn't there that night, but read the report and talked to the officers involved. While approaching a vehicle one of the wolf officer saw the driver holding a gun on his lap. When the driver saw the officer, he raised the gun towards him. The officer then grabbed the gun and pushed away at the same time drawing his own gun and pointed it at the driver's head. The driver then sped off dropping his gun (the driver) out the window. The officer was dragged for a while and was released when the vehicle hit a boulder on the sidewalk. MPD happen to saw the incident and gave chase. The driver then drove his vehicle onto 35W going south bound. The chase then ended up on lake street where it was called off due to the driver is driving recklessly. The driver's gun was recovered and handed to MPD. The driver was arrested 2 days later during a SWAT raid at his house. I'm so glad i don't work there anymore. Last year there were 2 shootings there. One of them happened while wolf officers were there. I don't know what became of it. They used to contract Minneapolis Police to protect the place but that was getting too expensive so they contracted private security. That place was horrible. Too many "ganstas" with guns. Most of them weren't afraid of law enforcement and security, they'll shoot anybody.

[gonzo1510]

In California the only way to where a uniform that resembles a Peace officers uniform is if we get permission from the head of that agency(i.e. Chief or Sheriff)
We only where Gray, white, or baby blue, with black or navy blue trousers. Unless you are a cpo or bpo with wackenhut.


I beg to differ..... According to the BSIS and California state law, The only uniform regulated is the uniform of the California Highway Patrol. No other Law Enforcement Agency let alone security company is allowed to have it. BSIS only regulates the badge and patch designs when applying for a PPO(They cannot say POLICE/SHERIFF on it).

I believe that Wackenhut is in violation of the law....

California Vehicle Code section : 2261.

A uniform substantially similar to the official uniform of
members of the California Highway Patrol shall not be worn by any
other law enforcement officer or by any other person except duly
appointed members of the California Highway Patrol and persons
authorized by the commissioner to wear such uniform in connection
with a program of entertainment. A uniform shall be deemed
substantially similar to the uniform of the California Highway Patrol
if it so resembles such official uniform as to cause an ordinary
reasonable person to believe that the person wearing the uniform is a
member of the California Highway Patrol.


Now, if the local police chief or county sheriff of your area are restricting the type of uniform you are allowed to wear, that is different. As far as the state goes,so long as it does not look like a chippie, your'e good to go.

[tlangsr]

I beg to differ..... According to the BSIS and California state law, The only uniform regulated is the uniform of the California Highway Patrol. No other Law Enforcement Agency let alone security company is allowed to have it. BSIS only regulates the badge and patch designs when applying for a PPO(They cannot say POLICE/SHERIFF on it).

I believe that Wackenhut is in violation of the law....

California Vehicle Code section : 2261.

A uniform substantially similar to the official uniform of
members of the California Highway Patrol shall not be worn by any
other law enforcement officer or by any other person except duly
appointed members of the California Highway Patrol and persons
authorized by the commissioner to wear such uniform in connection
with a program of entertainment. A uniform shall be deemed
substantially similar to the uniform of the California Highway Patrol
if it so resembles such official uniform as to cause an ordinary
reasonable person to believe that the person wearing the uniform is a
member of the California Highway Patrol.


Now, if the local police chief or county sheriff of your area are restricting the type of uniform you are allowed to wear, that is different. As far as the state goes,so long as it does not look like a chippie, your'e good to go.

I'm gonna have to check on that. Thank you.

[gonzo1510]

No Prob...

[tlangsr]

I beg to differ..... According to the BSIS and California state law, The only uniform regulated is the uniform of the California Highway Patrol. No other Law Enforcement Agency let alone security company is allowed to have it. BSIS only regulates the badge and patch designs when applying for a PPO(They cannot say POLICE/SHERIFF on it).

I believe that Wackenhut is in violation of the law....

California Vehicle Code section : 2261.

A uniform substantially similar to the official uniform of
members of the California Highway Patrol shall not be worn by any
other law enforcement officer or by any other person except duly
appointed members of the California Highway Patrol and persons
authorized by the commissioner to wear such uniform in connection
with a program of entertainment. A uniform shall be deemed
substantially similar to the uniform of the California Highway Patrol
if it so resembles such official uniform as to cause an ordinary
reasonable person to believe that the person wearing the uniform is a
member of the California Highway Patrol.


Now, if the local police chief or county sheriff of your area are restricting the type of uniform you are allowed to wear, that is different. As far as the state goes,so long as it does not look like a chippie, your'e good to go.

I stand corrected, I got on the bsis web sit e and found nothing but this as far as regulating uniforms.


Business and Professions Code Section 7583.38

A city, county, or city and county may regulate the uniforms and insignias worn by uniformed employees of a private patrol operator and vehicles used by a private patrol operator to make the uniforms and vehicles clearly distinguishable from the uniforms worn by, and the vehicles used by, local regular law enforcement officers

Thank you sir

[gonzo1510]

Looks like I really do learn something new everyday... Thanks.

[Lawson]

With the whole Wackenhut thing. They originally actually got in trouble by the CHP because of their uniforms. However they worked it out and because they now have added the purple stripe on their pants, they are no longer in violation of the code.

[gonzo1510]

With the whole Wackenhut thing. They originally actually got in trouble by the CHP because of their uniforms. However they worked it out and because they now have added the purple stripe on their pants, they are no longer in violation of the code.


I wasn't aware of that, to be honest with you, I see those guys almost daily and I have to say that it is difficult to tell wether or not that stripe is blue or purple...(blurple maybe?) So what would a reasonable lay person believe if they were to see this uniform?

At first I really did think those guys were CHP but then I noticed the trooper hat. CHP uses the Campaign hat..

[Black Caesar]

When I worked for Wackenhut as a CPO, they told us the Uniform was patterned after the Florida Highway Patrol uniform, then modifyed. I remember thinking "oh, how original" lol.

[sgtnewby]

Here in Minnesota, when I worked for Wackenhut as a CPO, we wore navy blue pants with a black stripe and white shirts, no hats.

[gonzo1510]

I know we are getting way off topic here but it seems that many of you have worked for TWC, why leave ? Was it that bad?

[Lawson]

I know we are getting way off topic here but it seems that many of you have worked for TWC, why leave ? Was it that bad?

Personally, I enjoyed it for the most part. However; I just found a better job. I drive 90 less miles a day, I get $2-4 more an hour, I get a TON of benefits that TWC never offered, and just an overall nicer job.

Our area manager (who I heard was just recently let go) was a tool. I worked my butt off (as supervisor of a site) making the client love us then our AM bitches me out for everything. We had a traffic problem where a lot of traffic was using our lot as a traffic thoroughfare so I had my swingshift wear CPO uniforms instead of yellow over black that we were assigned. It worked... worked REALLY well actually. So naturally I got my ass chewed.

The AM made our site a CPO only site knowing there was only a limited amount of CPOs available so all our guys were working 50-70 hours a week, he kept sending me the most retarted CPOs he could come up with, and then started bitching me out that our officers were working too much Overtime.

On top of that he was overall bad for business. There was a contract with the City of Tacoma Police that we went out for, however because he did not believe in better outfitting us with equipment and training we could not compete well for it.

We were offered a contract from the City of Kent (Police I believe) to provide assistance with a suspected protest/riot, but this manager turned it down because they wanted armed officers and he said we would only do it unarmed.

Time and time again we lost out on contracts, and pissed off clients because of his actions. I no longer saw any advancement opportunity with him around so I packed my bags and GTFO of there.

[tlangsr]

I know we are getting way off topic here but it seems that many of you have worked for TWC, why leave ? Was it that bad?

It wasn't bad I just found a job that paid more.

[GCMC Security]

I know we are getting way off topic here but it seems that many of you have worked for TWC, why leave ? Was it that bad?

Still work for them and have for 2 years. Like any company there are good and bad points, you just have to weigh them. I know in this area I'm not gonna find a better paying one so here I stay.

[sgtnewby]

I know we are getting way off topic here but it seems that many of you have worked for TWC, why leave ? Was it that bad?


Well, I got fired for "demoralizing the team." My slightly younger then me site supervisor had the hots for a female non-CPO officer working our account. We had a combination of CPO and non-CPO. She had recently been in a car accident and had her on pain killers that she was having a bad reaction to. I was the night shift sergeant, promoted by corporate after 3 months of employment. About an hour before my shift ended, she called in sick due to this reaction, (swelling of the face). She lived about 15 to 20 miles away, and it was unreasonable to ask her to drive to work in rush hour traffic with her eyes swelling shut. So I told her to take time off and get medical attention and my supervisor and I would find someone to cover her shift for the day. No big deal. When he came in, I told him what was going on and he called her at home and insisted that she drive into work. So, thinking she would lose her job if she didn't, she showed up barely able to see. She's lucky she didn't get killed just trying to get there. So at this point, he says to stay on the clock and he would take her home (she couldn't see to drive at all anymore). So I recomended, so as not to create overtime, he should stay, her place was on my way to my then girlfriends house, which is where I was going, and I just wanted to go and sleep now that the night was over. Make sense to me. He got mad and asked me if I wanted to go outside and fight him! I just said, ya know what, do what you want. A week later, my supervisor, and the account supervisor (there were several locations for the same client), were in overnight for testing the fire alarm systems (strobes & sirens). Mid-shift officers stayed late and night shift also participated (me included). The supervisor left at 4am. He comes back at 7am and says turn in you badge and do not return. I asked him why and he refused to tell me. So I went home and found out that my current employer was hiring security and in 3 months I was making more per hour with benne's then he was after working for TWC in 3 years! :D He actually did me a favor. I told my current employer what had happened and let them make up their own minds as to what they thought happened, and they ruled in my favor obviously, I've been there now for almost 5 years. Wackenhut-shmackenhut! :rolleyes:

[N. A. Corbier]

Let me get this straight...

Come to work immediately.
Stay on the clock.
Leave with "me."

Oh, man...

The concept of, "You wanna fight me..." I've only had one employee get cocky like that, he got cocky with a supervisor while wearing his full uniform and firearm. That was the first time I unholstered since he put his hand on his gun while screaming about being relieved of duty. He stopped after he realized "woah, this white boy gonna shoot me."

Some idiots in this profession seem to forget that they're armed with various weapons while getting all bad assed macho.

[sgtnewby]

Let me get this straight...

Come to work immediately.
Stay on the clock.
Leave with "me."

Oh, man...

The concept of, "You wanna fight me..." I've only had one employee get cocky like that, he got cocky with a supervisor while wearing his full uniform and firearm. That was the first time I unholstered since he put his hand on his gun while screaming about being relieved of duty. He stopped after he realized "woah, this white boy gonna shoot me."

Some idiots in this profession seem to forget that they're armed with various weapons while getting all bad assed macho.

We didn't carry any weapons, just cuffs, keys, and a flashlight. And, I was the subordinate sergeant, he was a "major." The quote "you wanna fight me" was actually " You wanna go outside and make something of this?" an in from my face. :rolleyes: