Security Officer Network

Missouri licensure takes place at the local level of government and training requirements are minimal. It seems that very few state laws exist to regulate the security industry. There are a couple of chapters of state administrative code which apply to the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. These codes are linked below this article.

Kansas City and St. Louis

The Kansas City and St. Louis areas are absolutely unique security licensing and regulatory environments. In these locations security is governed by rules established inside of the state's administrative code. The rules are created by the Kansas City and St. Louis boards of police commissioners. In these areas, officers may apply for different classes of licenses. These licenses may endow the officer with special powers of arrest and detention subject to certain limitation such as the requirement that the detention action occur within the geographic limits of the property the officer is responsible for protecting.

Step By Step Directions

• 1. Retrieve a license application form from City Hall or the local Police Department. This form must be completed and returned with the applicable fee. It may require the officer to submit photographs and fingerprints in order for the city to perform a background check. Here is an example of an application from Columbia. It requires a $15 licensing fee. The applicant may also need to describe his uniform, badge and shoulder patch which he will be using in his capacity as an officer. The applicant must also define the scope of his request as either being for a security guard or armed guard license.
• 2. Take any required training. Certain jurisdictions may require the officer to take certain training courses. In Kansas City applicants must demonstrate they have taken firearms training prior to receiving the authority to carry their firearm on duty. In St. Louis most applicants must take a two day course.
• 3. Sit for the written test. Some locations could require the candidate to take a written test. In St. Louis applicants must score at least a seventy percent on the written test following the conclusion of the two day training course.
• 4. Take the range test (armed officers only). The timing of this test may vary by locality. Columbia requires its applicants to take the test within thirty days of the submission of the application.
• 5. Make a note of the renewal date. The license will expire at a certain date. It must be renewed. Licenses issued in Columbia are only valid for one year.
• 6. Review applicable ordinance. These rules establish criteria such as when the officer must report the discharge of a firearm while on duty, the types of weapons an armed officer may carry and how an security officer identifies himself to a police officer.

Generic Requirements

Generic requirements will most likely include a minimum age (18 years for unarmed and 21 for armed), and a mostly felony-free criminal background. Armed officers will need to pass an approved firearms test. It is important to note possible variances between jurisdictions.

Exemptions

Depending on the city, there are exemptions from the security licensing requirements. Here is an example. Columbia's city ordinance exempts law enforcement officers, those who work for an employer who is not a security service provider, and those who are only working within the city temporarily and are not in the city more than 14 days' time. Joplin's ordinance exempts employees of armored car services. Similar exemptions are likely found within other town's ordinances several of which are listed below this article.

State Regulations

Since most regulation in Missouri appears to take place at the local level it seems there is little regulatory language within Missouri state law. However, officers licensed within the St. Charles County area will be relieved to know that Missouri law requires reciprocity between area towns. This means a license earned within the St. Louis area should qualify the officer to work within other St. Louis area suburbs without necessarily having to start from scratch and get another license.

Appeals Process

Local ordinances sometimes establish appeals processes for those whose applications have been rejected.

Links to Local Ordinances

Here are links to various security regulation and licensure ordinances from Missouri cities. Kansas City and St. Louis area officers should review the Title 17 Code of State Regulations which govern the security industry in those areas. Find the city of your interest and click on the link. If you can not find your city here then you may choose to visit the local police department.

• 1. City of Joplin City Code Regulating Private Security
• 2. Kansas City Area Private Security Rules in State Code
• 3. St. Louis Area Private Security Rules in State Code
• 4. Columbia Code (Sections 13-46 - 13-62)