As used in this chapter:

(1) “Armed security officer” means a security officer who carries or has immediate access to a firearm in the performance of such officer's duties as a security officer;

(2) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection;

(3) “Licensee” means any person, firm, company, partnership or corporation engaged in the business of providing investigative or security services;

(4) “Private detective” means any person engaged in the business of, or advertising as engaged in the business of (A) investigating crimes or civil wrongs, (B) investigating the location, disposition or recovery of property, (C) investigating the cause of accidents, fire damage or injuries to persons or to property, except persons performing bona fide engineering services, (D) providing the personal protection of individuals, (E) conducting surveillance activity, (F) conducting background investigations, or (G) securing evidence to be used before a court, board, officer or investigation committee;

(5) “Private detective agency” means any person, firm, company, partnership or corporation that, for consideration, advertises as providing, or is engaged in the business of providing, private detectives and private investigators;

(6) “Private investigator” means an employee of a licensed private detective or private detective agency who performs services necessary for the conduct of such licensee's business;

(7) “Security officer” means the licensed and registered person hired to safeguard and protect persons and property, by (A) the detection or prevention of any unlawful intrusion or entry, larceny, vandalism, abuse, arson or trespass on the property such security officer is hired to protect, or (B) the prevention, observation, or detection of any unauthorized activity on the property the security officer was hired to protect. Such security officer may be (i) employed by a security service, or (ii) employed by a business and is an employee who performs security work, wears a uniform for such purpose and performs such work on the premises of the employer's business when such premises are located in an area that is accessible and unrestricted to the public, or has access only by paid admission; and

(8) “Security service” means any person, firm, association or corporation that, for consideration, provides to another person, firm, association or corporation one or more of the following: (A) The prevention or detection of intrusion, entry, larceny, vandalism, abuse, fire, or trespass on the property the security service was hired to protect; (B) the prevention, observation or detection of any unauthorized activity on property the security service was hired to protect; (C) the protection of patrons and persons authorized to be on the premises of a person, firm, association or corporation that the security service was hired to protect; (D) the secure transportation of papers, money, negotiable instruments and other valuables; (E) the provision of patrol and armored car services; or (F) the provision of guard dogs.

(P.A. 04-192, S. 1; P.A. 08-73, S. 1; P.A. 11-51, S. 134.)

History: P.A. 08-73 redefined “licensee” in Subdiv. (3) to add “engaged in the business of”, redefined “private detective agency” in Subdiv. (5) to include private investigators, added new Subdiv. (6) defining “private investigator”, redesignated existing Subdivs. (6) and (7) as new Subdivs. (7) and (8) and redefined “security officer” in new Subdiv. (7) to add “wears a uniform for such purpose” and make technical changes; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subdiv. (2), effective July 1, 2011.