Commissioned Security Officer

BrassMonkey · Post by **BrassMonkey** » Sun May 06, 2007 10:13 pm

Not real sure where to post this so here it is. Do you have to be in the employ of a security company to be certified as a Commissioned Security Officer in Texas. I found the licensing site, but I can;t seem to locate the specific answer on this one.

chewy555 · Post by **chewy555** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:05 am

As a Commissioned Security Officer, the answer is yes. You only get your commission after your are hired by a company. And your commission is only good while with the company. You can not do side jobs on your own, you have to be hired by another company.

BrassMonkey · Post by **BrassMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:49 am

So how does one who wants to become one do it while working a full time job?

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:33 am

BrassMonkey wrote:So how does one who wants to become one do it while working a full time job?

You would have to attend a 30 hour commission school.

And pay attention to Chewy, working off of the books, and not under the employ of a licensed Class B or C company is a Class A Misdemeanor.

BrassMonkey · Post by **BrassMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:39 am

So I can take the class INSTEAD OF being employed as such? I have a friend who would like me to help him with some part time bail enforcement, Unlike Mr. TXI, I have to become a security guard to do it legally :-)

p99guy · Post by **p99guy** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:39 am

some security companies operate small training schools/classes, and at least in the past have one occasion held basic security commission class
in the eve and all weekend (last I knew it was 40 hrs but may have gone up in hrs since)

You will have to pass that class before you can have an employer put in the application for your "pink card"

The commision card only allows carry in a distictive security uniform, while working...and going directly to or from work (no stopping at blockbuster and wearing the gun in)

To be an armed plain clothes security man(personal protection officer), you have to
go to that class and have a state commision card of that type.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/

Bail enforcement is a totally different licence

The one thing you can usually bet on, armed security costs a client extra
so they are not likely to get it unless it is really needed, meaning
as a commisioned officer you will get to see duty in some real armpits.
so be careful what you wish for...run down apt complexes, strip bar parking lots, Hispanic bars, construction sites that are losing equipment left and right.(been there/done that) and if you ever need help, your the only help your going to get in time to do any good 9 times out of 10.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:52 am

BrassMonkey wrote:So I can take the class INSTEAD OF being employed as such? I have a friend who would like me to help him with some part time bail enforcement, Unlike Mr. TXI, I have to become a security guard to do it legally :-)

You have to take the class TO be commissioned. You will receive a certificate of completion that will be sent in to DPS by the company that hires you.

You cannot carry a firearm in the course of your duties until you receive your pocket card from the state.

chewy555 · Post by **chewy555** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:57 am

BrassMonkey wrote:So I can take the class INSTEAD OF being employed as such? I have a friend who would like me to help him with some part time bail enforcement, Unlike Mr. TXI, I have to become a security guard to do it legally :-)

Here is San Antonio, there are a few schools that you can take the class at. After the class you and the company that you are going to work for send off the packet to the state to get your commission card. Bail enforcement is something different, if I am not wrong, as I am not one. The class is not that hard. When I took it, it was one week 5 hours a day monday through friday and then 8 hours on saturday. You have to pass both a written test and shooting test. Both are easy. Shooting test is same as CHL test.

As p99guy said, you are very limited as to when you can carry. You can only carry to work, at work, and home from work, and the whole time your weapon has to be in sight. No covering it up if its raining or cold.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:12 am

p99guy wrote:some security companies operate small training schools/classes, and at least in the past have one occasion held basic security commission class
in the eve and all weekend (last I knew it was 40 hrs but may have gone up in hrs since)

You will have to pass that class before you can have an employer put in the application for your "pink card"

It has been a while for you hasn't it? lol The cards are all white now, and indicate the category of handgun you can carry, along with whether or not you can carry a shotgun.

The commision card only allows carry in a distictive security uniform, while working...and going directly to or from work (no stopping at blockbuster and wearing the gun in)

And the weapon must be in plain view. The uniform MUST have the company name on it, the word "Security" and the persons last name must be prominently displayed.

To be an armed plain clothes security man(personal protection officer), you have to
go to that class and have a state commision card of that type.

There is a lot more than that to it. You have to have BOTH a commission and a PPO authorization. That requires an additional 15 hour class and passing an MMPI. The PPO can ONLY carry concealed while providing actual personal protection for an individual.

Bail enforcement is a totally different licence

Negative. In Texas, a BEO must be EITHER a commissioned security officer or a Private Investigator or Peace Officer.

Texas Occupations Code
Â§ 1702.3863. UNAUTHORIZED CONTRACT WITH BAIL BOND SURETY;
OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person contracts
with or is employed by a bail bond surety as defined by Chapter 1704
to secure the appearance of a person who has violated Section 38.10,
Penal Code, unless the person is:
(1) a peace officer;
(2) an individual licensed as a private investigator
or the manager of a licensed investigations company; or
(3) a commissioned security officer employed by a
licensed guard company.
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a state jail felony

This means that unless his friend's Bail Bonds Company has a License with the DPS Private Security Board, OR you contract through a licensed PI or Guard company. you would be committing a felony to do Bail Enforcement for him, even if you get commissioned.

The one thing you can usually bet on, armed security costs a client extra
so they are not likely to get it unless it is really needed, meaning
as a commisioned officer you will get to see duty in some real armpits.
so be careful what you wish for...run down apt complexes, strip bar parking lots, Hispanic bars, construction sites that are losing equipment left and right.(been there/done that) and if you ever need help, your the only help your going to get in time to do any good 9 times out of 10.

True for some companies, but he is looking at doing Bail Enforcement.

There are also some good security jobs out there, but the pay can be low.

BrassMonkey · Post by **BrassMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:12 am

Thanks all,
I understand from the statutes that a commissioned security officer OR a PI can be amployed as a bail enforcement agent. I don't wanna compete with TXI so I will go the security officer route. Don't really care about carry issues, that just comes with the job.

I just turned in my two weeks, so I am about to have a few week vacation to take a class :-)