107 Persons Charged with Providing Security Without a License
Charlotte NC October 21, 2022
Arrests of persons working as security officers in regulatory states where a license is required have increased by 31 percent during the past thirty months.
While some states still do not require that a person working as a security officer obtain a background check, complete a training program, or obtain a license or certification of any type, the majority do.
Based on news articles, police reports, and announcements on law enforcement social media, New York City, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Florida, and California are some of the states
experiencing a noticeable rise in violations.
In New York City, the city sheriff’s department regularly conducts audits of all required licenses at nightclubs and other establishments and often finds unlicensed persons working as bouncers and uniformed security guards.
In New York and Virginia, it’s the Department of Criminal Justice that regulates the private security industry and is responsible for compliance.
While regulatory agencies have inspectors, investigators, and audit processes in place to find violations, most agencies rely heavily on compliance and tips from others in the security industry or other citizens.
In Texas, it’s the Department of Public Safety that oversees security regulations, licensing, and compliance, and recently special agents arrested two people working as security officers unlawfully.
The two men were arrested in Laredo for working security at Aladdin’s Dream Boutique & Gentlemen’s Club without a license, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Daniel Almendariz, 20, and Miguel Angel Sanchez, 34, were each charged with impersonating a security officer.
At about 11 p.m. Oct. 1, a Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division special agent arrived at Aladdin’s Dream Boutique & Gentlemen’s Club on 13502 Regional Drive. The special agent observed two individuals wearing all black and carrying radios.
One male had two handheld radios and one had a pocketknife, states the arrest affidavit. When the DPS special agent entered the business through the back, both males dressed in black started to walk away fast toward the front entrance to avoid the special agent, authorities said.
The special agent caught up to one male who was identified as Almendariz. He had black tactical pants, black tactical boots and a black polo shirt with the words “Protection Group” on the front and “Security” on the back, the affidavit states.
Almendariz was also carrying a butterfly-style knife dole blade and handheld radio. Almendariz allegedly admitted to working as a security guard. Further investigation revealed that Almendariz was not licensed as a security guard, according to DPS.
The second male was identified as Sanchez. He too was wearing black pants and a black shirt. Sanchez admitted to working at the establishment as a “bouncer.” Further investigation revealed that he was not licensed to work as a security guard, the affidavit states.
Nightclubs, after-hour clubs, gentlemen’s clubs, Hookah Bars, and apartments are some of the businesses where unlicensed security personnel is often found working said NYC Sheriff’s office.
In Los Angeles, deputies responded to information that a man identified as Blake Anderson, who is a convicted felon was carrying an illegal firearm and was working without a security guard license.
Deputies observed Anderson working security at a nightclub and having knowledge that he was armed, approached the man and he immediately began to resist arrest while reaching toward his waist.
Internet videos show the takedown and many are calling it a violent and unlawful use of force while the sheriff disagrees.
Other claims that deputies seriously injured his eye were also incorrect. Anderson had previously traumatically injured that eye.
During the past thirty months, Private Officer International has tracked and recorded 59 violent incidents where unlicensed security officers who were in uniform and on duty, used excessive force including 16 homicides that they were charged with.
