HomeAbout UsServicesResourcesContact UsHome

Truth is knowledge... only verified SM

CHAPTER 534
PRIVATE DETECTIVES & SECURITY SERVICES

CURRENT LINK: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/pub/Chap534.htm

Table of Contents: PI Laws Sections 29-152u through 29-161f inclusive

Sec. 29-152u. Definitions.
Sec. 29-153. Private detective license required.
Sec. 29-154. Qualifications for license. List of employees.
Sec. 29-154a. Qualifications for private detective or private detective agency license. Appeal.
Sec. 29-154b. Qualifications of corporate stockholders.
Sec. 29-154c. Persons vested with police powers ineligible for licensure.
Sec. 29-155. Form of application for license. Criminal history records checks. Fingerprints. Photographs. Trade name.
Sec. 29-155a. Applicant to post surety bond and provide general liability insurance certificate.
Sec. 29-155b. Issuance of license.
Sec. 29-155c. License fees.
Sec. 29-155d. Display of license.
Sec. 29-156. Licensee's identification card.
Sec. 29-156a. Qualifications of employees. Registration. Fee.
Sec. 29-156b. Nonuniformed investigators', operators' or agents' identification card.
Sec. 29-156c. Uniformed employee's insignia.
Sec. 29-156d. Private detective prohibited from using badge or shield.
Sec. 29-156e. Branch or suboffices.
Sec. 29-156f. Permit to carry firearms.
Sec. 29-156g. Use of information.
Sec. 29-156h. Nonuniformed guard services by private detectives or private detective agencies.
Sec. 29-157. Association with government not to be implied in name.
Sec. 29-158. License suspension or revocation. Appeal.
Sec. 29-159. Annual list of private detectives and detective agencies.
Sec. 29-160. Exemption of credit rating agencies.
Sec. 29-161. Penalties. Regulations.
Sec. 29-161a.
Sec. 29-161b.
Sec. 29-161c.
Secs. 29-161d to 29-161f.
Sec. 29-161g. Security service license required.
Sec. 29-161h. Qualifications for security service license. Appeal.
Sec. 29-161i. Qualifications of corporate stockholders.
Sec. 29-161j. Persons vested with police powers ineligible for licensure.
Sec. 29-161k. Form of application for license. Criminal history records checks. Fingerprints. Photographs. Trade name.
Sec. 29-161l. Applicant to post surety bond and provide general liability insurance certificate.
Sec. 29-161m. Issuance of license.
Sec. 29-161n. License fees.
Sec. 29-161o. Display of license.
Sec. 29-161p. Licensee's identification card.
Sec. 29-161q. Qualifications of employees. License and registsration. Fee.
Sec. 29-161r. Nonuniformed security officers' identification card.
Sec. 29-161s. Uniformed employee's insignia.
Sec. 29-161t. Branches and suboffices.
Sec. 29-161u. Investigation of offenses on property guarded by security services.
Sec. 29-161v. License suspension or revocation. Appeal.
Sec. 29-161w. Annual list of security services and security officers.
Sec. 29-161x. Penalties. Regulations.
Sec. 29-161y. (Formerly Sec. 29-161a). Registration of security personnel carrying firearms. Qualifications. Penalty.
Sec. 29-161z. (Formerly Sec. 29-161b). Security service personnel to obtain permit to carry firearms. Firearm safety course. Regulations. Application. Penalty. License suspension or revocation. Appeal.
Sec. 29-161aa. (Formerly Sec. 29-161c). Licensed security services to provide written notice to law enforcement agencies of assignments of security officers carrying firearms.

PART I
PRIVATE DETECTIVES AND PRIVATE DETECTIVE AGENCIES

      Sec. 29-152u. Definitions. 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 Public Safety;

      (3) "Licensee" means any person, firm, company, partnership or corporation 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;

      (6) "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 property such security officer is hired to protect, or (B) the prevention, observation, or detection of any unauthorized activity on 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 a uniformed employee who performs security 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;

      (7) "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.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-153. Private detective license required. No person shall engage in the business of, or solicit business as a private detective or make representations to be or advertise as a private detective or as furnishing detective or investigating services without first obtaining a license from the Commissioner of Public Safety.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3737; 1953, S. 2021d; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 610; P.A. 04-192, S. 2.)

      History: 1969 act extended applicability of provisions to include engaging in business as and soliciting business as watchman, guard or patrol service and deleted provision re license fees for private detectives and private detective agencies; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of state police with commissioner of public safety, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 04-192 eliminated references to investigator and watchman, guard or patrol service and made a conforming change.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-154. Qualifications for license. List of employees. Section 29-154 is repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3738; 1957, P.A. 149, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 128; February, 1965, P.A. 538; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 22.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-154a. Qualifications for private detective or private detective agency license. Appeal. (a) The commissioner may grant a private detective or private detective agency license to any suitable person, or to any corporation, association or partnership subject to the following qualifications: The applicant for a private detective or private detective agency license shall be not less than twenty-five years of age and of good moral character and shall have had at least five years' experience as a full-time investigator, as determined in regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to section 29-161, or shall have had at least ten years' experience as a police officer with a state or organized municipal police department. Employment as a security officer shall not be considered as employment as an investigator. If the applicant is a corporation, association or partnership, the person filing the application in behalf of such corporation, association or partnership shall meet the qualifications set out herein for an individual applicant, and shall be an officer of such corporation or member of such association or partnership. If the commissioner grants a private detective or private detective agency license to an applicant based on such applicant's experience as an investigator with an organized municipal fire department, such license shall restrict such licensee to performing the same type of investigations as were performed for the municipal fire department.

      (b) The commissioner may, at the commissioner's discretion, substitute up to one year of experience for a private detective or private detective agency applicant upon proof of satisfactory participation in a course of instruction pertinent to the license applied for.

      (c) No license shall be issued to any person who has been (1) convicted of any felony, (2) convicted of any misdemeanor under section 21a-279, 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178 or 53a-181d, or equivalent conviction in another jurisdiction, within the past seven years, (3) convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude, or (4) discharged from military service under conditions that demonstrate questionable moral character.

      (d) Any applicant who has been denied a license may appeal in writing to the commissioner not later than thirty days after receipt of such denial.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 5; P.A. 81-253, S. 2; 81-472, S. 153, 159; P.A. 87-560, S. 3; P.A. 94-48; P.A. 04-192, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 81-253 eliminated the citizenship requirement for issuance of license; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 87-560 amended Subdiv. (1) to permit a person with a minimum of five years' experience as a full-time investigator in an organized municipal fire department to apply for a private detective or investigator's license and specified restrictions on such licensee; P.A. 94-48 amended Subdiv. (1) to permit a person with a minimum of five years' experience as a full-time investigator with the division of public defender services and a person with a minimum of ten years' experience as a police officer with a state or organized municipal police department to apply for a private detective or investigator's license, and made technical changes to Subdivs. (2) and (3); P.A. 04-192 redesignated existing provisions as Subsecs. (a) to (c), inclusive, eliminating numeric Subdiv. designators, eliminated references to investigator's license and watchman, guard or patrol service, inserted references to private detective agency, required that applicant for private detective or private detective agency license have at least five years' experience as a full-time investigator, as determined in regulations, eliminating reference to "in the employment of a licensed private detective or investigator or with a United States government investigative service, a state or organized municipal fire or police department or the Division of Public Defender Services", made technical changes, provided that no license shall be issued to any person who has been convicted of any misdemeanor under Sec. 21a-279, 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178, 53a-181d or equivalent conviction in another jurisdiction, within the past seven years or who has been discharged from military service under conditions that demonstrate questionable moral character, eliminating reference to discharge under other than honorable conditions, and added Subsesc. (d) authorizing any applicant who has been denied a license to appeal in writing not later than thirty days after receipt of such denial.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-154b. Qualifications of corporate stockholders. The license of a corporation may be denied by the commissioner, or suspended or revoked, if it shall appear that ten per cent or more of the stock of such corporation is held by a person who cannot meet the character standards required of an applicant.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 3.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-154c. Persons vested with police powers ineligible for licensure. No member of the state, or any town, city or borough, police force or any other person vested with police powers shall be eligible for a license under the provisions of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive. If the applicant is a corporation, association or partnership, no person comprising the corporation, association or partnership may be such a member or person.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 6; P.A. 04-192, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 substituted reference to Secs. 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, for "this chapter".

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-155. Form of application for license. Criminal history records checks. Fingerprints. Photographs. Trade name. (a) Application for a license as a private detective or as a private detective agency shall be made in writing, under oath, on a form to be furnished by the commissioner. The application shall state the applicant's full name, age, date and place of birth, residences and employment within the past five years and the applicant's present occupation with the names and addresses of employers, the date and place of conviction of any crime and such additional information as the commissioner requires to investigate the qualification, character, competency and integrity of the applicant. If the applicant is an association, corporation or partnership, similar information shall be required of each individual composing or intending to compose such association, corporation or partnership.

      (b) The commissioner shall require any applicant for a license under this section to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. Each applicant and, in the case of an association, corporation or partnership, each individual composing such association, corporation or partnership, shall submit with the application two complete sets of fingerprints on forms specified and furnished by the commissioner and two photographs, two inches wide by three inches high, taken within six months prior to the application. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a.

      (c) The application shall state the trade name or proposed trade name to be used by the applicant and the location of the principal place of business and the location of each office and branch office. If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall give the name of the corporation, if different from the proposed trade name, and the date and place of incorporation. Any trade name or proposed trade name shall require the approval of the commissioner. No trade name or designation shall be used which implies any association with any municipal, county or state government or the federal government, or any agency thereof. No licensee shall use any advertisement, seal or card, or any other media which may tend to mislead the public.

      (d) The application shall contain such additional information and documentation as the commissioner may require by regulation.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3739; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 2; P.A. 01-175, S. 26, 32; P.A. 04-192, S. 5.)

      History: 1969 act expanded license application requirements, adding Subsecs. (b) to (d) and rephrasing Subsec. (a); P.A. 01-175 amended Subsec. (b) by adding language re criminal history records checks in accordance with Sec. 29-17a, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 04-192 amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to investigator and watchman, guard or patrol service with reference to private detective agency and make a technical change.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-155a. Applicant to post surety bond and provide general liability insurance certificate. (a) Each applicant for a license as a private detective or as a private detective agency shall post with the commissioner a bond in favor of the state with surety in the amount of ten thousand dollars. No bond shall be accepted for filing unless it is with a surety company authorized to do business in this state and conditioned that the principal named therein shall not do any act meriting suspension or revocation of such principal's license under the provisions of this chapter. Any person aggrieved by an act of the principal named in such bond in violation of the provisions of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, may proceed on such bond against the principal or surety therein, or both, to recover damages.

      (b) Prior to being issued a license, an applicant shall provide a copy of a certificate of general liability insurance for not less than three hundred thousand dollars.

      (c) A licensee shall notify the commissioner in writing within thirty days of a change of status in the liability insurance or surety bond required by this section.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 4; P.A. 04-192, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to eliminate reference to each applicant for a license as a security service or a security agency, make a technical change and substitute reference to Secs. 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, for "this chapter", added Subsec. (b) requiring that applicant provide a copy of a certificate of general liability insurance for a minimum of three hundred thousand dollars, and added Subsec. (c) requiring that licensee notify commissioner of any change of status in liability insurance or surety bond.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-155b. Issuance of license. Upon being satisfied, after investigation, of the good character, competency and integrity of an applicant, or, if the applicant is an association or partnership, of the individual members thereof, or if a corporation, of all officers and directors thereof, the commissioner may grant a license to conduct such private detective business and to maintain a bureau, agency, subagency, office or branch office for the conduct of such business on the premises stated in such application. The license for an individual private detective shall be as a private detective, and, the license for a corporation, association or partnership shall be as a private detective agency. Such license shall be for a term of two years and application for renewal shall be on a form furnished by the commissioner. Each licensee shall permit the department to inspect, review or copy those documents, business records or training records in the licensee's possession that are required by regulation to be maintained.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 7; P.A. 04-192, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 eliminated reference to watchman, guard or patrol agency and investigator and provision requiring that license for an individual conducting a watchman, guard or patrol service be as a security service and if for a corporation, association or partnership as a security agency, required that license be for a term of two years, in lieu of one year, and required licensee to permit department to inspect, review or copy those records required by regulation to be maintained.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-155c. License fees. The fee for an individual private detective shall, for an original license, be one thousand two hundred dollars and for renewal of any such license, five hundred dollars every two years. The fee for a private detective agency shall, for an original license, be one thousand five hundred dollars and for renewal of any such license, eight hundred dollars every two years. If a licensee fails to apply for renewal of any license within ninety days after the expiration thereof, such licensee shall pay for renewal thereof the fee provided for an original license.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 8; June, 1971, P.A. 8, S. 95; 1972, P.A. 223, S. 25; P.A. 80-297, S. 18, 20; P.A. 89-251, S. 161, 203; P.A. 04-192, S. 8.)

      History: 1971 act increased renewal fee for license as individual private detective or security service from two hundred to two hundred fifty dollars per year and made provision for renewal fees for combination licenses; 1972 act made technical correction; P.A. 80-297 raised license fees for: (1) Individual private detective or security service: Initial fee from three hundred to four hundred dollars, renewal from two hundred fifty to three hundred dollars, (2) private detective agency or security agency: Initial fee from four hundred to five hundred dollars, renewal from three hundred to four hundred dollars, (3) combination private detective and security service: Initial, from three hundred to four hundred dollars, renewal from one hundred fifty to two hundred dollars, (4) combination detective agency and security agency: Initial from four hundred to five hundred dollars, renewal from two hundred to three hundred dollars; P.A. 89-251 increased the initial fee for an individual license from four hundred dollars to six hundred dollars and for renewal from three hundred dollars to four hundred fifty dollars, increased the initial fee for an agency license from five hundred dollars to seven hundred fifty dollars and for renewal from four hundred dollars to six hundred dollars, increased the initial fee for a combined individual license from four hundred dollars to six hundred dollars and for renewal from two hundred dollars to three hundred dollars and increased the initial fee for a combined agency license from five hundred dollars to seven hundred fifty dollars and for renewal from three hundred dollars to four hundred fifty dollars; P.A. 04-192 eliminated references to security service and security agency, modified fees for issuance of an original license for an individual private detective from six hundred dollars to one thousand two hundred dollars and for renewal of such license from four hundred fifty dollars per year to five hundred dollars every two years, modified fees for issuance of an original license for a private detective agency from seven hundred fifty dollars to one thousand five hundred dollars and for renewal of such license from six hundred dollars per year to eight hundred dollars every two years, eliminated fee provisions for a combination private detective and security service license and a combination detective agency and security agency license, substituted ninety days for six months re failure to apply for renewal after expiration and made a technical change.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-155d. Display of license. Immediately upon the receipt of a license certificate issued by the Commissioner of Public Safety pursuant to sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, the licensee shall post and at all times display such license in a conspicuous place at the licensee's place of business. A copy or duplicate of the license certificate shall be conspicuously posted at each branch or suboffice.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 11; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 610; P.A. 04-192, S. 9.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of state police with commissioner of public safety, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 04-192 substituted reference to Secs. 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, for "this chapter" and made a technical change.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156. Licensee's identification card. Upon the issuance of a license as provided in sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, the commissioner shall issue to each licensee and, in the case of a corporation, association or partnership, each officer or member thereof, a pocket identification card, of such size and design as the commissioner may prescribe, which card shall contain a photograph of the person to whom issued, the name and business address of the licensee, the license number and date of its expiration and the imprint or impress of the seal of the state of Connecticut. Such card shall be carried upon the person to whom issued at all times when engaged in the activities of the licensed business, which card shall be evidence of due authorization pursuant to the terms of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive. All persons to whom such identification cards have been issued shall be responsible for the safe keeping of the same and shall not lend, enable, let or allow any other person to have, hold, possess or display such identification card, and no person shall possess, hold or display any identification card or facsimile thereof, which is not duly authorized and issued by the commissioner pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

      (1957, P.A. 149, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 13; P.A. 04-192, S. 10.)

      History: 1969 act included provisions re corporations, associations and partnerships, their officers and members, rewriting and expanding provisions re identification cards; P.A. 04-192 substituted references to Secs. 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, for "this chapter", eliminated requirement re fingerprint on card and made a technical change.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156a. Qualifications of employees. Registration. Fee. (a) Any licensee may employ as many agents, operators, assistants, guards, watchmen or patrolmen as such licensee deems necessary for the conduct of such licensee's business, provided such employees shall be of good moral character and at least eighteen years of age.

      (b) Immediately upon hiring an agent, operator, assistant, guard, watchman or patrolman, the licensee shall make application to register such employee with the Commissioner of Public Safety. Such application shall be made on forms furnished by the commissioner, and, under oath of the employee, shall give the employee's name, address, date and place of birth, employment for the past five years, experience in the position applied for, any convictions for violations of the law and such other information as the commissioner may require, by regulation, to properly investigate the character, competency and integrity of the employee.

      (c) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall require any applicant for registration under this section to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The application for registration shall be accompanied by two sets of fingerprints of the employee and two photographs of the employee, two inches wide by two inches high, full-face, taken within six months prior thereto, and a twenty-dollar registration fee payable to the state. Subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, no person shall be approved for employment who has been convicted of a felony, any sexual offense or any crime that would tend to question such person's honesty and integrity, or who has been refused a license under the provisions of this chapter for any reason except minimum experience, or whose license, having been granted, has been revoked or is under suspension. Upon being satisfied of the suitability of the applicant for employment the commissioner shall register the employee and so notify the licensee and place the registration form and all related material on file with the Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety.

      (d) The licensee shall notify the commissioner within five days of the termination of employment of any registered employees.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 12; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 56; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 610; P.A. 80-297, S. 19, 20; P.A. 81-253, S. 3; 81-472, S. 153, 159; P.A. 83-573, S. 5; P.A. 84-546, S. 77, 173; P.A. 89-251, S. 162, 203; P.A. 01-175, S. 27, 32; P.A. 04-192, S. 11.)

      History: 1972 act required that employees be at least eighteen, rather than twenty-one, in Subsec. (a), reflecting changed age of majority, and deleted provision which had allowed employment of persons between eighteen and twenty-one as trainees; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of state police with commissioner of public safety, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-297 required that applications be accompanied by five-dollar registration fee in Subsec. (c); P.A. 81-253 amended Subsec. (a) by eliminating the citizenship requirement for employees; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 83-573 amended Subsec. (b), eliminating the requirement of reporting an employee's arrests in the registration application form and amended Subsec. (c), requiring photographs to be two inches high, rather than three, increasing the registration fee from five to ten dollars, and providing that no person convicted of any sexual offense may be approved for employment, deleting references to persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude and persons who are alcoholics, drifters or vagrants, or who have a record of mental illness or those with other than an honorable discharge from the military service; P.A. 84-546 made technical change to subsec. (b); P.A. 89-251 amended Subsec. (c) to increase the fee from ten dollars to thirteen dollars; P.A. 01-175 made technical changes for the purposes of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c), and amended Subsecs. (c) and (e) by adding language re criminal history records checks, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 04-192 amended Subsec. (c) to substitute registration for licensure of employees, to eliminate "with and without head covering" re photographs and to increase registration fee from thirteen dollars to twenty dollars, and eliminated former Subsec. (e) re waiver of state and national criminal history records checks and submission of fingerprints and photographs for any employee of a licensed private detective or security service or agency within previous six months.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156b. Nonuniformed investigators', operators' or agents' identification card. The licensee of a private detective agency shall issue to each of the agency's nonuniformed investigators, operators or agents, an identification card, of such size, color and design as the commissioner may prescribe, which card shall contain the name and photograph of the investigator, operator or agent, the name and business address of the licensee, the license number and expiration date, and the certification that the named investigator, operator or agent is employed as an investigator, operator or agent of the licensee. Such card shall be carried by the investigator, operator or agent at all times when engaged in the activities of the licensee. No person shall hold, possess or show an identification card not authorized and issued to such person by a licensed employer, or possess such card after termination of such person's employment with the issuing licensee.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 14; P.A. 04-192, S. 12.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 limited issuance of identification card to nonuniformed investigators, operators or agents by the licensee of a private detective "agency", in lieu of "business", eliminated references to employee, requirement that licensee of a watchman, guard or patrol service issue card to each of his nonuniformed agents and requirement that card contain index fingerprint, and made technical changes.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156c. Uniformed employee's insignia. Section 29-156c is repealed, effective October 1, 2004.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 15; P.A. 04-192, S. 41.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156d. Private detective prohibited from using badge or shield. No private detective licensed under the provisions of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, or officer, director, employee, operator or agent of such licensee, or any other person shall wear, carry, accept or show any badge or shield of any description, purporting to indicate that such person is a private detective or connected with the private detective business.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 16; P.A. 04-192, S. 13.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 eliminated references to investigator, substituted Secs. 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, for "this chapter" and made a technical change.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156e. Branch or suboffices. Any licensee may operate as many branch or suboffices as such licensee deems necessary to conduct the business properly. Such licensee shall advise the commissioner, in writing not later than five business days after opening such branch or suboffice for business, of the location of each branch or suboffice, giving the town or city, street, number and telephone number and the name of the manager of such branch or suboffice.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 10; P.A. 04-192, S. 14.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 made technical changes and required that written notice to commissioner be given not later than five business days after opening branch or suboffice for business.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156f. Permit to carry firearms. Section 29-156f is repealed.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 21; P.A. 82-57.)

      See Sec. 29-28.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156g. Use of information. No person who is or has been an employee of a licensed private detective shall divulge any information to anyone other than such person's employer, or as the employer may direct, except as may be required by law and including a hearing before the commissioner, in respect to any of the work to which such person shall have been assigned by such employer or any other information relating to the business of the employer gained during such employment or association.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 17; P.A. 04-192, S. 15.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 eliminated reference to investigator and made technical changes.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-156h. Nonuniformed guard services by private detectives or private detective agencies. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a private detective or private detective agency from providing nonuniformed guard services for private property or persons in the normal course of their business.

      (1969, P.A. 756, S. 19; P.A. 04-192, S. 16.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 eliminated "or a security service or agency from performing the investigation of offenses upon property they are employed to service".

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-157. Association with government not to be implied in name. Section 29-157 is repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3740; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 22.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-158. License suspension or revocation. Appeal. Any license may be suspended or revoked by the commissioner, provided notice shall have been given to the licensee to appear before the commissioner to show cause why the license should not be suspended or revoked, upon a finding by the commissioner that: (1) The licensee has violated any of the terms or provisions of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, or any of the regulations promulgated thereunder; (2) the licensee has practiced fraud, deceit or misrepresentation to the clients of the licensee; (3) the licensee has made a material misstatement in the application for issuance or renewal of such licensee's license; (4) the licensee has demonstrated incompetence or untrustworthiness in the conduct of such licensee's business; (5) the licensee has been convicted of a felony or other crime affecting such licensee's honesty, integrity or moral fitness. If the licensee has been convicted under section 53a-61 or 53a-62, the commissioner shall consider the facts and circumstances surrounding such convictions prior to suspending or revoking said license. Any party aggrieved by an order of the commissioner hereunder may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3741; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 9; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 122; 1972, P.A. 294, S. 30; P.A. 76-436, S. 614, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 17, 125; P.A. 78-280, S. 5, 127; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29; P.A. 04-192, S. 17.)

      History: 1969 act allowed suspension of license as well as revocation, specified grounds for suspension or revocation where previously suspension or revocation allowed "for good cause", replaced court of common pleas with superior court and "person or agency" with "licensee", and stated that appeals serve to stay execution of suspension or revocation; 1971 act replaced superior court with court of common pleas, effective September 1, 1971, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending matters deemed transferable; 1972 act made technical correction; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 replaced previous appeal provisions with requirement that appeals be made in accordance with Sec. 4-183 but retained venue in Hartford county as before; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" for "Hartford county"; P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-215 replaced "judicial district of Hartford" with "judicial district of New Britain", effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 04-192 amended Subdiv. (2) by adding "to the clients of the licensee", made technical changes in Subdivs. (3) and (4), and amended Subdiv. (5) to make a technical change and require that if licensee has been convicted under Sec. 53a-61 or 53a-62, commissioner consider facts and circumstances surrounding such convictions prior to suspending or revoking license.

      See Sec. 29-156 re issuance of identification card to licensees.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-159. Annual list of private detectives and detective agencies. The commissioner shall annually prepare and publish a list of licensed private detectives and private detective agencies and security services and security agencies and distribute copies of such list to the chiefs of police in Connecticut and to the clerks' offices of the Superior Court of the state and to any licensee upon request.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3742; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 96; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 18; P.A. 77-452, S. 59, 72.)

      History: 1961 act changed common pleas to circuit court; 1969 act required that list include security services and security agencies, replaced circuit courts with common pleas courts and required that copy be distributed to licensees upon request; P.A. 77-452 deleted reference to common pleas court.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-160. Exemption of credit rating agencies. Section 29-160 is repealed.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3743; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 22.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161. Penalties. Regulations. (a) Any person who violates any provision of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both. The commissioner may establish, by regulation, civil penalties for violations of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, but no such penalty shall be more than five thousand dollars. No person who violates any provision of section 29-153 shall be eligible to apply for a license for two years. Any experience accrued while operating without being licensed will not be counted to the requirements as outlined in section 29-154a.

      (b) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of sections 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3744; 1969, P.A. 756, S. 20; P.A. 04-192, S. 18.)

      History: 1969 act deleted provision which imposed one-hundred-dollar maximum fine and/or up to six months' imprisonment for employees' divulging information gained in the course of employment except as directed by employer or required by law or for making false report to employer, and increased remaining maximum fine from five hundred to five thousand dollars; P.A. 04-192 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to authorize commissioner to establish, by regulation, civil penalties for violations of Secs. 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive, and provide that no person who violates any provision of Sec. 29-153 shall be eligible to apply for a license for two years and that any experience accrued while not licensed will not be counted to the requirements in Sec. 29-154a, and added Subsec. (b) requiring commissioner to adopt regulations to implement provisions of Secs. 29-153 to 29-161, inclusive.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161a. Transferred to Part II, Sec. 29-161y.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161b. Transferred to Part II, Sec. 29-161z.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161c. Transferred to Part II, Sec. 29-161aa.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Secs. 29-161d to 29-161f. Reserved for future use.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

PART II*
SECURITY SERVICES AND SECURITY OFFICERS

      *See Sec. 29-152u for applicable definitions.

      Sec. 29-161g. Security service license required. No person shall engage in the business of, or solicit business as a security service or make representations to be or advertise as furnishing security services without first obtaining a license from the Commissioner of Public Safety.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 22.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161h. Qualifications for security service license. Appeal. (a) The Commissioner of Public Safety may grant a security service license to any suitable person, or to any corporation, association or partnership subject to the following qualifications: The applicant for a license as a security service shall be not less than twenty-five years of age and of good moral character and shall have had at least five years' experience in a supervisory management capacity in industrial security, or a supervisor within a federal or state security agency, or within a state or organized municipal police department or shall have had at least ten years' experience as a police officer with a state or organized municipal police department. If the applicant is a corporation, association or partnership, the person making the application shall be an officer of the corporation or a member of the association or partnership, and meet the foregoing qualifications.

      (b) The commissioner may, at the commissioner's discretion, substitute up to one year of experience for a security service applicant upon proof of satisfactory participation in a course of instruction pertinent to the license applied for.

      (c) No license shall be issued to any person who has been (1) convicted of any felony, (2) convicted of any misdemeanor under section 21a-279, 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178 or 53a-181d, or equivalent conviction in another jurisdiction, within the past seven years, (3) convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude, or (4) discharged from military service under conditions that demonstrate questionable moral character.

      (d) Any applicant for a security service or security officer license who has been denied such license may appeal in writing to the commissioner within thirty days.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 23.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161i. Qualifications of corporate stockholders. An application for a license of a corporation may be denied by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or suspended or revoked, if it appears that ten per cent or more of the stock of such corporation is held by a person who cannot meet the character standards required of an applicant.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 24.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161j. Persons vested with police powers ineligible for licensure. No member of the state, or any town, city or borough, police force or any other person vested with police powers shall be eligible for a license under the provisions of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive. If the applicant is a corporation, association or partnership, no person comprising the corporation, association or partnership may be such a member or person.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 25.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161k. Form of application for license. Criminal history records checks. Fingerprints. Photographs. Trade name. (a) Application for a license as a security service, shall be made in writing, under oath, on a form to be furnished by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The application shall state the applicant's full name, age, date and place of birth, residences and employment within the past five years and the applicant's present occupation with the names and addresses of employers, the date and place of conviction of any crime and such additional information as the commissioner requires to investigate the qualification, character, competency and integrity of the applicant. If the applicant is an association, corporation or partnership, similar information shall be required of each individual composing or intending to compose such association, corporation or partnership.

      (b) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall require any applicant for a license under this section to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. Each applicant and, in the case of an association, corporation or partnership, each individual composing such association, corporation or partnership, shall submit with the application two complete sets of fingerprints on forms specified and furnished by the commissioner and two photographs, two inches wide by three inches high, taken within six months prior to the application. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a.

      (c) The application shall state the trade name or proposed trade name to be used by the applicant and the location of the principal place of business and the location of each office and branch office. If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall give the name of the corporation, if different from the proposed trade name, and the date and place of incorporation. Any trade name or proposed trade name shall require the approval of the commissioner. No trade name or designation shall be used which implies any association with any municipal, county or state government or the federal government, or any agency thereof. No licensee shall use any advertisement, seal or card, or any other media which may tend to mislead the public.

      (d) The application shall contain such additional information and documentation as the commissioner may require by regulation.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 26.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161l. Applicant to post surety bond and provide general liability insurance certificate. (a) Each applicant for a license as a security service shall post with the Commissioner of Public Safety a bond in favor of the state with surety in the amount of ten thousand dollars. No bond shall be accepted for filing unless it is with a surety company authorized to do business in this state and conditioned that the principal named therein shall not do any act meriting suspension or revocation of such principal's license under the provisions of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive. Any person aggrieved by an act of the principal named in such bond in violation of the provisions of this chapter may proceed on such bond against the principal or surety therein, or both, to recover damages.

      (b) Prior to being issued a license, an applicant shall provide a copy of a certificate of general liability insurance for not less than three hundred thousand dollars. The licensee shall notify the commissioner, in writing, within thirty days of a change of status in the liability insurance or surety bond required by this section.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 27.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161m. Issuance of license. Upon being satisfied, after investigation, of the good moral character, competency and integrity of an applicant, or, if the applicant is an association or partnership, of the individual members thereof, or if a corporation, of all officers and directors thereof, the Commissioner of Public Safety may grant a license to conduct business as a security service and to maintain a bureau, agency, subagency, office or branch office for the conduct of such business on the premises stated in such application. The license for an individual, a corporation, association or partnership conducting a security service shall be as a security service. Such license shall be for a term of two years and application for renewal shall be on a form furnished by the commissioner. Each licensee shall permit the department to inspect, review or copy those documents, business records or training records in the licensee's possession that are required by sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive, to be maintained.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 28.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161n. License fees. The fee for an individual, association or partnership licensed as a security service shall, for an original license, be one thousand two hundred dollars, and for renewal thereof, five hundred dollars every two years. The fee for a corporation licensed as a security service shall, for an original license, be one thousand five hundred dollars and for renewal thereof eight hundred dollars every two years. If a licensee fails to apply for renewal of any license within ninety days after the expiration thereof, the licensee shall pay for renewal thereof the fee provided for an original license.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 29.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161o. Display of license. Immediately upon the receipt of a license certificate issued by the Commissioner of Public Safety pursuant to section 29-161m, the licensee shall post and at all times display such license in a conspicuous place at the licensee's place of business. A copy or duplicate of the license certificate shall be conspicuously posted at each branch or suboffice.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 30.)

      History: (Revisor's note: In codifying section 30 of P.A. 04-192, an incorrect reference to "section 23 of this act" was deemed by the Revisors to be a reference to "section 28 of this act" and therefore cited as "section 29-161m").

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161p. Licensee's identification card. Upon the issuance of a license as provided in sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall issue to each licensee and, in the case of a corporation, association or partnership, each officer or member thereof, a pocket identification card, of such size and design as the commissioner may prescribe, which card shall contain a photograph of the person to whom issued, the name and business address of the licensee, the license number and date of its expiration and the imprint or impress of the seal of the state of Connecticut. Such card shall be carried upon the person to whom issued at all times when engaged in the activities of the licensed business, which card shall be evidence of due authorization pursuant to the terms of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive. All persons to whom such identification cards have been issued shall be responsible for the safe keeping of the same and shall not lend such identification card to any other person or enable, let or allow any other person to have, hold, possess or display such identification card, and no person shall possess, hold or display any identification card or facsimile thereof, which is not duly authorized and issued by the commissioner pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 31.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161q. Qualifications of employees. License and registsration. Fee. (a) Any security service may employ as many security officers as the licensee deems necessary for the conduct of the business, provided such employees shall be of good moral character and at least eighteen years of age.

      (b) Any person hired to work as a security officer shall be licensed as a security officer prior to a security service making application to register the security officer with the Commissioner of Public Safety. The employee shall complete a minimum of eight hours training in the following areas: Basic first aid, search and seizure laws and regulations, use of force, basic criminal justice and public safety issues. The training shall be approved by the commissioner in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to section 29-161x.

      (c) Upon successful completion of such training, an employee may submit an application for a license as a security officer on forms furnished by the commissioner and, under oath, shall give the employee's name, address, date and place of birth, employment for the past five years, experience in the position applied for, any convictions for violations of the law and such other information as the commissioner may require, by regulation, to properly investigate the character, competency and integrity of the employee. The initial application for a license shall be accompanied by two sets of fingerprints of the employee and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall require any applicant for a license under this section to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The application for a license shall be accompanied by two sets of fingerprints of the employee and two photographs of the employee, two inches wide by two inches high, full-face, taken within six months prior thereto, and a twenty-dollar licensing fee to be renewed every two years, made payable to the state. Subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, no person shall be approved for a license who has been convicted of a felony, any sexual offense or any crime that would tend to question such person's honesty and integrity, or who has been refused a license under the provisions of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive, for any reason except minimum experience, or whose license, having been granted, has been revoked or is under suspension. Upon being satisfied of the suitability of the applicant for licensure, the commissioner may license the employee as a security officer.

      (d) Upon the security officer's successful completion of training and licensing by the commissioner, or immediately upon hiring a licensed security officer, the security service shall make application to register such security officer with the commissioner on forms provided by the commissioner. Such application shall be accompanied by payment of a twenty-dollar application fee payable to the state. The completed registration form and all related material shall be kept on file with the Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety.

      (e) The security service shall notify the commissioner within five days of the termination of employment of any registered employee.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 32.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161r. Nonuniformed security officers' identification card. The licensee of a security service shall issue to each nonuniformed security officer employed by such security service an identification card, of such size, color and design as the Commissioner of Public Safety may prescribe, which card shall contain the name and photograph of the security officer, the name and business address of the security service, the license number and expiration date and the certification that the named security officer is employed as a security officer by the security service. Such card shall be carried by the security officer at all times when engaged in the activities of such security officer's employer. No person shall hold, possess or show an identification card not authorized and issued to such person by a licensed employer, or possess such card after termination of such person's employment with the issuing licensee.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 33.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161s. Uniformed employee's insignia. The licensee of a security service shall issue to each uniformed employee a metal or woven insignia of a design approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety, with an inscription thereon containing the word "security", the name of the licensee and an identification number. Such insignia shall be conspicuously worn at all times by the employee when in uniform and acting in the service of the licensee, and the commissioner may prescribe the manner of displaying such insignia. As used in this section, "uniform" means any manner or type of dress of a particular style and distinctive appearance as distinguished from clothing usually worn by the public.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 34.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161t. Branches and suboffices. Any security service may operate as many branch or suboffices as the licensee deems necessary to conduct the business properly. The licensee of the security service shall advise the Commissioner of Public Safety, in writing, not later than five business days after opening such branch or suboffice for business, of the location of each branch or suboffice, giving the town or city, street address and telephone number and the name of the manager of such branch or suboffice.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 35.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161u. Investigation of offenses on property guarded by security services. Nothing in sections 29-163g to 29-161x, inclusive, shall preclude a security service from performing the investigation of offenses upon property such security service is employed to service.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 36.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161v. License suspension or revocation. Appeal. Any license for a security service or security officer may be suspended or revoked by the Commissioner of Public Safety, provided notice shall have been given to the licensee to appear before the commissioner to show cause why the license should not be suspended or revoked, upon a finding by the commissioner that: (1) The licensee has violated any of the terms or provisions of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive, or any of the regulations adopted pursuant to section 29-161x; (2) the licensee has practiced fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; (3) the licensee has made a material misstatement in the application for issuance or renewal of the license; (4) the licensee has demonstrated incompetence or untrustworthiness in the conduct of the business; or (5) the licensee has been convicted of a felony or other crime affecting the licensee's honesty, integrity or moral fitness. Any party aggrieved by an order of the commissioner under this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 37.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161w. Annual list of security services and security officers. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall annually prepare and publish a list of licensed security services and security officers and distribute copies of such list to the chiefs of police in Connecticut and to the clerks' offices of the Superior Court and to any licensee upon request.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 38.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161x. Penalties. Regulations. (a) Any person who violates any provision of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Any person who violates any provision of section 29-161g shall not be eligible to apply for a license for two years after the date the penalty was imposed.

      (b) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of sections 29-161g to 29-161x, inclusive.

      (P.A. 04-192, S. 39.)

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161y. (Formerly Sec. 29-161a). Registration of security personnel carrying firearms. Qualifications. Penalty. (a) Any person, firm or corporation may employ as many security officers or security personnel carrying firearms as it deems necessary for the conduct of its business, provided such employees shall be of good moral character and at least twenty-one years of age. Each person, firm or corporation shall make application to register such personnel with the Commissioner of Public Safety immediately upon their hiring. Application for registration shall be made in the same manner as is provided in section 29-156a and applicants shall meet the requirements specified in said section.

      (b) Each person, firm or corporation employing nonarmed proprietary security personnel may register such employees with the Commissioner of Public Safety in accordance with the provisions of this section.

      (c) Any person, firm or corporation which violates any provision of this section shall be fined seventy-five dollars for each offense. Each violation of this section shall be a separate and distinct offense, and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.

      (P.A. 83-573, S. 4; P.A. 04-192, S. 19.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute security officers for guards, watchmen, patrolmen, to increase minimum age from eighteen to twenty-one years and to make technical changes; Sec. 29-161a transferred to Sec. 29-161y in 2005.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161z. (Formerly Sec. 29-161b). Security service personnel to obtain permit to carry firearms. Firearm safety course. Regulations. Application. Penalty. License suspension or revocation. Appeal. (a) No employee of a licensed security service and no employee of a firm or corporation hired to perform security services may carry a pistol, revolver or other firearm while on duty or directly en route to or from such employment unless such employee obtains a special permit from the Commissioner of Public Safety in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section. No licensed security service and no firm or corporation may permit any employee to carry a pistol, revolver or other firearm while on duty or directly en route to or from such employment unless it obtains proof that such employee has obtained such permit from the commissioner. The permit required under this section shall be in addition to the permit requirement imposed under section 29-28.

      (b) The Commissioner of Public Safety may grant to any suitable employee of a licensed security service, or to an employee hired to perform uniformed or nonuniformed security services by a firm or corporation, a permit to carry a pistol or revolver or other firearm while actually on duty on the premises of the employer, or, while directly en route to or from such employment, provided that such employee has proven to the satisfaction of the commissioner that such employee has successfully completed a course, approved by the commissioner, of training in the safety and use of firearms. The commissioner may grant to such employee a temporary permit pending issuance of the permit, provided such employee has submitted an application and successfully completed such training course immediately following employment. All armed security officers shall complete such safety course and yearly complete a refresher safety course approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 concerning the approval of schools, institutions or organizations offering such courses, requirements for instructors and the required number of hours and content of such courses.

      (c) Application for such permit shall be made on forms provided by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by a thirty-one-dollar fee. Such permit shall have the same expiration date as the pistol permit issued under subsection (b) of section 29-28 and may be renewed for additional five-year periods.

      (d) Any person, firm or corporation which violates any provision of this section shall be fined seventy-five dollars for each offense. Each violation of this section shall be a separate and distinct offense, and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.

      (e) The commissioner may suspend or revoke a security service license upon a finding by the commissioner that such licensee has violated the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, provided notice shall have been given to such licensee to appear before the commissioner to show cause why the license should not be suspended or revoked. Any party aggrieved by an order of the commissioner may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

      (P.A. 83-573, S. 1; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 89-251, S. 163, 203; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29; P.A. 04-192, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 89-251 amended Subsec. (c) to increase the application fee from twenty-five dollars to thirty-one dollars; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-215 replaced "judicial district of Hartford" with "judicial district of New Britain", effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 04-192 substituted security service for watchman, guard or patrol service and made technical changes throughout, amended Subsec. (b) to substitute "uniformed or nonuniformed" security services for watchman or guard services and to require all armed security officers to complete safety course and yearly complete refresher safety course approved by the commissioner, and amended Subsec. (c) to require that permit have the same expiration date as the pistol permit issued under Sec. 29-28(b) in lieu of expiration five years after the date it becomes effective; Sec. 29-161b transferred to Sec. 29-161z in 2005.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)

      Sec. 29-161aa. (Formerly Sec. 29-161c). Licensed security services to provide written notice to law enforcement agencies of assignments of security officers carrying firearms. Any licensed security service or any firm or corporation employing proprietary security personnel shall furnish the state police or the municipal police department with written notice of the assignments of any security officers or personnel who carry firearms and are stationed within the jurisdiction of such law enforcement agencies.

      (P.A. 83-573, S. 2; P.A. 04-192, S. 21.)

      History: P.A. 04-192 substituted security service for watchman, guard or patrol service and officers for guards; Sec. 29-161c transferred to Sec. 29-161aa in 2005.

(Return to
Chapter Table of Contents)
(Return to
List of Chapters)
(Return to
List of Titles)


To learn more, you may contact us by telephone (203.264.6802) or via E-Mail: info@diogenesllc.com

Close this Window to return to the Services Page.


home | about us | services | resources | contact us