Security guards and others who provide security soon will be required to be licensed to work in Jefferson County.
The County Council voted unanimously last month to add the requirements to the county’s code of ordinances.
“We’ve been working on this for some time,” Sheriff Dave Marshak said. “Even though we’ve had this idea in the works for some time, we wanted to get something on the books before the state and county start allowing medical marijuana facilities. We’re expecting an increase in the number of people working as private security officers as a result of these facilities. But we’re long overdue on having something like this. At a police chief’s meeting, (Arnold Chief Bob) Shockey told me we needed something like this 30 years ago.”
The ordinance will require training and background checks for anyone working as a security guard, watchman or a courier of money.
All applicants must supply proof of firearms training through an approved police academy or other class – eight hours a year for firearms and 16 hours a year for semiautomatic weapons.
“We also want some training in other, nonlethal weapons, such as Tasers and pepper spray,” Marshak said.
Unarmed security personnel will be required to take four hours of training, with a refresher course required every five years.
All those who are licensed will be required to carry an identification card.
Marshak said Sgt. Perry Tindall has been assigned to oversee developing policies and procedures to administer the new code.
“We almost have a policy manual complete, but as you can imagine, there are lots of things that need to be done to start enforcing a code that had never existed before.
“Forms and applications need to be written, and the ID cards need to be designed,” Marshak said. “But we wanted to get the ordinance approved by the County Council in place. St. Louis city and St. Louis County have had these standards for 20 years or 30 years, and we’re just in the process of building up to it.”
He said he expects all processes and procedures will be in place by Jan. 1.
Marshak said he doesn’t know how many people the new rule will affect.
“Maybe a couple of hundred,” he guessed.
Marshak said ensuring that private security officers are held to professional standards will benefit everyone.
“As it is now, anyone can work in private security in Jefferson County,” he said. “We know of people in the past who were convicted felons of violent crimes who were working in security at various locations.
“At some events in the county, anyone can put on a security vest or security badge. The training will provide a list of do’s and don’ts for these people, which is sorely needed.”
Convicted felons will not be licensed under the code.
Licensing fees will be charged to applicants. It will cost $104, plus training costs, for the license and fingerprints, and $94 for the annual renewal. Some applicants may incur other fees, including training costs.
Marshak said the fees are in line with those charged in St. Louis and St. Louis County. “If you’re already licensed in those places, you won’t have to undergo more training to get a Jefferson County license,” Marshak said. “You’ll only have to provide documentation that you have that training.”
The code also has special provisions for current and retired police officers.
Marshak said once all the procedures and polices are in place, Tindall first will work with Ameren Missouri, which has a strong security presence at its Rush Island facility in southeast Jefferson County.
He’ll then move on to other businesses that employ security agents and private companies that supply security personnel. Self-employed security people, he said, will also be required to secure a license, and he said information about applying will be forthcoming before the end of the year.
Marshak said the code allows for applicants to apply for a temporary license while the application for a permanent license is being processed.
“For citizens in Jefferson County, they should be proud that this is now in place and is in the process of being implemented,” Marshak said. “They will be able to feel secure that the security officers in our county have been vetted and are trained.”