Approved lights???

[HospitalPatrol]

For conversation's sake, how much did your company or in-house teach you about your law enforcement status? I know SLED only requires a 4 hour course to get a guard up and running, but the law treats security companies much like Sheriff's Departments in powers and responsibilities.

The security contractor I work for is a national company that, like most others, does not want the liability of its officers engaging in arrests or use of force in general unless absolutely unnecessary; and even then, incidents are looked at carefully. This isn't really a bad thing in my opinion. A security agency is not a law enforcement division and security officers are not police. Certain segments of our responsibilities, however, do overlap. In South Carolina, that overlap is even more prominent because local law gives us some very good tools to perform our protective duties. Even though our abilities are defined somewhat vaguely as "the authority and arrest power given to sheriffs deputies". For a security officer, the use of this authority is going to be limited by his employer and the client contracting the companies services.

As I said, on a philosophical level my company "doesn't like" to have to deal with things like firearms, self-defense items, arrests, use of force, etc. But in South Carolina we hold those things near and dear and the local office doesn't mind taking some liberties. Certain clients are also more interested in having well-equipped security professionals, as opposed to warm bodies filling posts. As a result, we did have some pretty good training on legal procedures, mostly how to make arrests and what for.

The people over me at my site are looking to security to engage in law enforcement activities as much as is required to keep the peace at the facilities. Since we have the legal authority to do this, there is no problem meeting those expectations. We make arrests and appear in court frequently and through that process have made a lot of contacts and friends in the local law enforcement circuit.

[FireEMSPolice]

What are you refering to as "Command"?

Like an Incident Command Vehicle, such as with a fire department.

[Hank1]

Before July 1st 2007, security vehicles used amber/clear combination just like a tow truck, power company and construction vehicles. We posed a scenario in which a hurricane passes through Florida where major damage had ocurred. The aftermath is hectic with lots of amber strobes and rotators. As a security officer, we asked for a different color (green) that sets us apart from the sea of clear/amber lights in a emergency such as looting/rioting where LE was requested/required. As of July 1, 2007 marked security vehicles can operate green and amber (50/50 combination) with some clear strobes on the light bars only. While this bill was going through Tallahassee , Fire Departments were fighting us because up until this bill was proposed, Incident Commanders where the only persons allowed by law to use green lights. But, it passed and security vehicles use green and amber lights while on duty.

Be safe,

Hank

[gcmc security part 2]

Before July 1st 2007, security vehicles used amber/clear combination just like a tow truck, power company and construction vehicles. We posed a scenario in which a hurricane passes through Florida where major damage had ocurred. The aftermath is hectic with lots of amber strobes and rotators. As a security officer, we asked for a different color (green) that sets us apart from the sea of clear/amber lights in a emergency such as looting/rioting where LE was requested/required. As of July 1, 2007 marked security vehicles can operate green and amber (50/50 combination) with some clear strobes on the light bars only. While this bill was going through Tallahassee , Fire Departments were fighting us because up until this bill was proposed, Incident Commanders where the only persons allowed by law to use green lights. But, it passed and security vehicles use green and amber lights while on duty.

Be safe,

Hank

Hank,

Out of curiousity, how fun was it redoing the lights on all youse guys units? If I remember correctly during my visit to your office last summer that you had quite a few.

On the same note, there are not many companies in this part of Florida that have patrol units at all, let alone ones with lights. I'm gonna keep an eye out to see if any with lights have changed to the amber/green.

[publicsafetyred]

Well I can use any color to the front but blue/red, and any color but blue to the rear.

Anyone ever seen STORBES in a FS Vector lightbar? (think CHP lightbars)

A lot of California security officers go with a "well I've been told by a cop' when it comes to the law. Unfortunately a lot of the time it is wrong information, below is the facts about CA private security lighting:

As it pertains to vehicle light bars; the only colors that are regulated are Red, Blue, Clear, and Amber. The colors Green and Purple are not regulated by California law. (Although tradition states that purple is reserved for funerals.)

A solid red light is reserved for emergency vehicles and is a requirement for any vehicle to go code three in this state. The red light must be visible 1000 feet from the front of the vehicle. There are two exceptions to this; one is that you may have flashing red lights on a school bus, and you may have flashing red “hold-up” lights on an armored car.

Blue lights are reserved only for public law enforcement in California. A peace officer may have flashing blue lights to the front, rear, and sides of his vehicle. A peace officer may also have two steady blue lights to the rear of his motorcycle if on duty.

Amber is also regulated, but there are a lot of provisions. Basically if you are of the public road you may have amber, on the road is highly regulated. Again, just like the firearms laws, security gets screwed on this one as we are also regulated with amber off the road. I will only address the law as it pertains to security.

Vehicles owned and operated by private security agencies and utilized exclusively on privately owned and maintained roads to which the CA Vehicle Code is made applicable, may display flashing amber warning lights to the front, sides, or rear, while being operated in response to emergency calls for the immediate preservation of life or property.

Vehicles owned by a private security agency and operated by personnel who are registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs may be equipped with a flashing amber warning light system while the vehicle is operated on a highway, if the vehicle is distinctively marked with the words "PRIVATE SECURITY" or "SECURITY PATROL" on the rear and both sides of the vehicle in a size that is legible from a distance of not less than 50 feet.

The flashing amber warning light system shall not be activated while the vehicle is on the highway, unless otherwise directed by a peace officer.

This is correct as of 2006 and I hope all this helps,

[EMTGuard]

Red is supposed to be restricted to Fire and EMS here but utility trucks have begun combining it with thier amber sets for a while now. I have a red mini-bar on the roof of my medical/patrol van. I have nothing against amber but in the plant every forklift, crane and truck has an amber strobe or rotator. The red stands out when I'm running through the plant to a man down call.

[Echos13]

This is differant: green lights on a "pie" truck.

They came onto site the other day and I had to ask him if they worked, they do. I also asked has he ever been stopped about having them on the van. He told me he has never been approached or stopped about them. Not to mention it has "Emergency Response Unit" across the back and sides.

http://www.keylimeshop.com/assets/images/db_images/db_Albritton_Feb_065.jpg

http://www.keylimeshop.com/assets/images/Van1.jpg

http://www.keylimeshop.com/assets/images/Van2.jpg

[rabidjade]

They came onto site the other day and I had to ask him if they worked, they do. I also asked has he ever been stopped about having them on the van. He told me he has never been approached or stopped about them. Not to mention it has "Emergency Response Unit" across the back and sides.

http://www.keylimeshop.com/assets/images/db_images/db_Albritton_Feb_065.jpg

http://www.keylimeshop.com/assets/images/Van1.jpg

http://www.keylimeshop.com/assets/images/Van2.jpg

The lettering does raise an eye brow but the application kind of nulls the affect.

[SoCal Public Safety]

It's the same thing with Famous Dave's BBQ. Their catering trucks resemble Fire Dept. Paramedic Units. Although they have amber light bars, it's hard to tell at first, and the the trucks are all red and generally say the name of the city and "F.D." on the doors. Of course the FD stands for Famous Dave's, but it could be misleading.

Slightly off topic, but similar. Has anyone noticed the Best Buy "Geek Squad" cars? I know they're VW Bettles, but they're painted to resemble LE vehicles, and I don't think that's right. On top of that, I noticed the other day the Geek Squad employee wearing a tie and slacks with a "Geek Squad" metal badge on his belt. In CA, it's illegal for licensed security to wear a badge unless in a distinctive uniform and PI's can not wear a badge at all, so as to not confuse the general public. However someone who isn't licensed in anything, a private citizen, can wear a badge? Now I'm confused...

[mjw064]

It's the same thing with Famous Dave's BBQ. Their catering trucks resemble Fire Dept. Paramedic Units. Although they have amber light bars, it's hard to tell at first, and the the trucks are all red and generally say the name of the city and "F.D." on the doors. Of course the FD stands for Famous Dave's, but it could be misleading.

Slightly off topic, but similar. Has anyone noticed the Best Buy "Geek Squad" cars? I know they're VW Bettles, but they're painted to resemble LE vehicles, and I don't think that's right. On top of that, I noticed the other day the Geek Squad employee wearing a tie and slacks with a "Geek Squad" metal badge on his belt. In CA, it's illegal for licensed security to wear a badge unless in a distinctive uniform and PI's can not wear a badge at all, so as to not confuse the general public. However someone who isn't licensed in anything, a private citizen, can wear a badge? Now I'm confused...

Geek Squad isn't perofrmong security functions, nor claiming to be security or law enforcement. Thus, thsoe regulations do not apply.

[SoCal Public Safety]

Geek Squad isn't perofrmong security functions, nor claiming to be security or law enforcement. Thus, thsoe regulations do not apply.

I understand that, but I don't see how the general public would be any less inclined to assume they are law enforcement.

[davis002]

I understand that, but I don't see how the general public would be any less inclined to assume they are law enforcement.

If someone mistakes a black & white VW beetle driven by someone who appears to be a geeky jehovah's witness with a badge, then that person deserves to be hit in the head with a tack hammer because they are stupid.

Look at the photo... do any of you honestly see a hardcore team of crime fighters?

[SoCal Public Safety]

If someone mistakes a black & white VW beetle driven by someone who appears to be a geeky jehovah's witness with a badge, then that person deserves to be hit in the head with a tack hammer because they are stupid.

Look at the photo... do any of you honestly see a hardcore team of crime fighters?

Not exactly what I was talking about, but point taken...


I imagine most security officers don't look anymore like a "hardcore team of crime fighters" than these guys...

[davis002]

I still have a seriously hard time believing that any sane person would confuse them for law enforcement. This isn't much different than someone complaining about a stripper wearing a cop uniform, because they don't want the general public to think she is law enforcement.

[Limo LA]

It's the same thing with Famous Dave's BBQ. Their catering trucks resemble Fire Dept. Paramedic Units. Although they have amber light bars, it's hard to tell at first, and the the trucks are all red and generally say the name of the city and "F.D." on the doors. Of course the FD stands for Famous Dave's, but it could be misleading.

California Vehicle code prohibit to paint vehicle look like "Law enforcement agency"
I guess vehicle look like Fire department are not violating V.C.

CA V.C.
27605. No person shall own or operate a motor vehicle painted in
the manner described in Section 40800 to resemble a motor vehicle
used by a peace officer or traffic officer on duty for the primary
purpose of enforcing the provisions of Division 10 (commencing with
Section 20000) or Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000)
pursuant to Section 40800.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles which
are painted one solid color or to vehicles first registered on or
before January 1, 1979. These provisions shall not apply to vehicles
which are any of the following:
(a) Owned by vehicle manufacturers or dealers.
(b) Used by law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of the
provisions of Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or Division
11 (commencing with Section 21000).
(c) Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively
for movie or television production and display signs stating "movie
car" prominently on the doors.
(d) Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively
for funeral escort purposes.
(e) Motorcycles, as defined in Section 400, without insignia.

However someone who isn't licensed in anything, a private citizen, can wear a badge? Now I'm confused...

CA B&P code prohibit to wear Security badge to any citizen.
But if it doesn't say "Security" or any PPO #, any company name, I guess it would not impersonation.

CA B&P code 7582.3.
(d) Any person who: (1) acts as or represents himself or herself
to be a private patrol operator under this chapter when that person
is not a licensee under this chapter; (2) falsely represents that he
or she is employed by a licensee under this chapter when that person
is not employed by a licensee under this chapter; (3) carries a
badge, identification card, or business card, indicating that he or
she is a licensee under this chapter when that person is not a
licensee under this chapter;