CALSAGA introduces legislation to increase security officer pool

CALSAGA is sponsoring a bill (Senate Bill 1209) authored by Senator Abel Maldonado (R – Santa Maria) that would permit security officers from out-of-state to perform certain security functions in California during a State of Emergency. As we found out during the Southern California fires last year, there was a period where security services were in such high demand that many companies had to scramble to keep up.

SB 1209 would allow registered or licensed security officers that are employed by a private patrol operator in another state to assist California during an emergency situation. It requires the Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS) to identify states that have equivalent standards to California, such as criminal history background checks and training requirements. These persons may perform their duties for only the duration of the emergency declaration.

This bill is still in its preliminary stages, but we will keep you updated as the bill moves through the Legislature. In the meantime, CALSAGA will be reaching out to appropriate entities such as the California Office of Homeland Security, Department of Consumer Affairs and elected officials to gain their support in an effort to get this bill passed.

If you have any questions, please contact William Hodges at whodges@calsaga.org. As always, we welcome your thoughts on our blog in the comments section below.

Comments

[Andrew Clark]

This is a timely and much needed piece of legislation. In a large disaster, California businesses would need to draw on qualified security officers from around the country. It is in the best interest of consumers and the industry that these deployed officers meet California's basic standards.

[Dennis Byerly, CPP]

After Katrina and during several natural regional disasters, the need for outside security support has always been an issue. In the event of the "big earthquake" that might impact the entire state, it would be prudent to have mutual support agreements that would allow for the use of out of state security officers to assist in times of need. There should be a time limit, contractual agreements, and pre planning to coordinate this type of help, prior to the emergency.