Security Personnel

RE: Security Personnel

You asked us to describe the criteria for getting a license as a security guard in Connecticut.

Businesses that provide security services must be licensed by the public safety commissioner and register their security personnel with the commissioner. Private firms and corporations that hire their own security employees (proprietary employees) must register them if they carry firearms.

To qualify for a license, an applicant must be at least age 25 and have no convictions for any felony or offense involving moral turpitude. And the commissioner must be satisfied with the applicant's “good character, competence, integrity.” The law prohibits licensing anyone who has been dishonorably discharged from the military. Each license is valid for one year and is revocable if the licensee violates the laws pertaining to security personnel or is convicted of a felony.

To qualify for registration, an employee must be at least age 18 and have no convictions for a felony, sexual offense, or any crime that would call his honesty or integrity into question. Any employee who has been refused a license for any reason except experience or has had a license revoked or suspended is ineligible. The law imposes no prior training requirements for registration and does not require registration renewal.

The law requires businesses providing watchman, guard, or patrol services to be licensed by the public safety commissioner (CGS § 29-153). An individual operating a watchman, guard, or patrol service must be licensed as a security service. A corporation, association, or partnership conducting such service must be licensed as a security agency. Licenses are valid for one year (CGS § 29-155b).

The law establishes minimum qualifications for a license. An applicant must be at least age 25, “of good moral character,” and have at least five years experience as an industrial security supervisor or administrator or as an employee of (1) private guard, watchman, or patrol service; (2) a federal security agency; or (3) a state or organized municipal police department. If the applicant is a corporation, association, or partnership, the person making the application must be an officer and meet the above qualifications. The commissioner may substitute one year of experience upon proof of satisfactory participation in a course that is pertinent to the license.

As part of the application, an applicant must complete a department form and provide his name and address, place and date of birth, residences and employment in the past five years, present occupation with the name and address of his employer, the date and place of conviction for any crime, and any other information the commissioner requires. Also, each applicant or each individual in a corporation, association, or partnership must submit with the application two complete sets of fingerprints and two photographs taken in the last six months.

The commissioner must investigate an applicant and grant a license upon being satisfied of the applicant's good character, competency and integrity. If the applicant is an association or corporation, its members or directors must meet these criteria (CGS § 29-155b).

The law prohibits licensure of (1) any person who has been convicted of a felony or an offense involving moral turpitude or has been dishonorably discharged from military service,

(2) a corporation if 10% or more of the corporate stock is held by a person who does not meet the above character standards, or (3) any person vested with police powers (CGS §§ 29-154a, 29-154b, and 29-154c).

The commissioner may suspend or revoke a license upon finding that a licensee has:

1. violated any of the laws on guard services and security personnel;

2. practiced fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;

3. made a material misstatement in a license application;

4. demonstrated incompetence or untrustworthiness in the conduct of his business; or

5. been convicted of a felony or other crime affecting his honesty, integrity, or moral fitness.

The licensee may appeal the commissioner's decision to the Superior Court (CGS § 29-158).

Each license applicant must post a $10,000 surety bond with the commissioner. If the named principal violates the laws on guard services and security personnel, the injured party may recover damages by proceeding on the bond against the principal, surety, or both (CGS § 29-155a).

People who are hired as agents, assistants, guards, watchmen, or patrolmen by licensees must be of good moral character and at least age 18. The licensee must register all employees with the commissioner. The employee must provide the department with essentially the same information as required for a license, including recent photographs and fingerprints.

The commissioner may not approve anyone for employment who has (1) been convicted of a felony, sexual offense, or any other crime that would call into question his honesty and integrity; (2) been refused a license for any reason except minimum experience; (3) had a license revoked or suspended. (But this is subject to CGS § 46a-80, which prohibits state agencies from denying registration for employment based on prior criminal convictions unless certain factors pertaining to the person, crime, and position are first considered.)

The commissioner must notify the licensee when he determines that the employee is suitable for employment and retain the registration information.

Licensees have five days to notify the commissioner when they terminate a registered employee (CGS § 29-156a).

A person who violates the laws on security personnel and guard services may be fined up to $5,000, imprisoned up to one year, or both (CGS § 29-161).

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT FOR PROPRIETARY SECURITY EMPLOYEES CARRYING FIREARMS

Guards, watchmen, patrolmen, or security personnel who carry firearms as part of their employment must be of good moral character and at least age 18.

Any person, firm, or corporation, other than a security agency, that hires a security officer to provide guard or security protection with a firearm must register that employee with the commissioner. Each violation carries a $75 fine (CGS § 29-161a).

Employers are permitted to register unarmed proprietary personnel who perform guard or security services.

Employees of licensed watchman, guard, or patrol services, and proprietary security personnel must obtain a special permit from the commissioner in order to carry a firearm while on duty or travelling to or from their employment. An employee may not carry a firearm without proof that he has such a permit. To obtain a permit, the employee must successfully complete a firearm safety and use course that is approved by the commissioner. The permit is valid for five years.

Any violation carries a $75 fine, and each day's violation is considered a separate offense. In addition, the commissioner may, after notice and an opportunity to be heard, revoke a license for such violations. The licensee may appeal the commissioner's decision to the Superior Court (CGS § 29-191b).

Licensed guard or patrol services, and firms of corporations employing their own security personnel must provide written notice to the State Police or municipal police departments of the assignments of employees carrying firearms in their jurisdictions (CGS § 29-161c).