Chapter 10.30
Private Detectives

Sections:

10.30.010 “Detective Agency” Defined.

10.30.020 “Private Detective” Defined.

10.30.030 “Private Detective Business” Defined.

10.30.040 “Security Guard” Defined.

10.30.050 “Security Guard Agency” Defined.

10.30.060 “Security Guard Business” Defined.

10.30.070 Licenses Required.

10.30.080 Exemptions.

10.30.090 Qualifications of Licensees.

10.30.100 Employee Records.

10.30.110 Employee Identification.

10.30.120 Special Regulations.

10.30.010 “Detective Agency” Defined.

“Detective agency” is any person who, as principal or employer, engages in or advertises and holds himself out as being engaged in the private detective business.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.030]

10.30.020 “Private Detective” Defined.

“Private detective” is any natural person who engages in or advertises and holds himself out as being engaged in the private detective business.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.030]

10.30.030 “Private Detective Business” Defined.

“Private detective business” is the business, or representing to be in the business, of making investigations for hire or reward with respect to discovering, revealing, or determining any of the following matters:

A.  crimes, criminals, secret information, or evidence;

B.  the identity, whereabouts, character, or actions of persons or things;

C.  the habits, conduct, movement, whereabouts, associations, transactions, reputation, or character of any person;

D.  the credibility of witnesses or other persons;

E.  the location of lost or stolen property;

F.  the cause, origin, or responsibility of fires, accidents, or injuries to real or personal property;

G.  the affiliation, connection, or relation of any person with a union or nonunion organization or the officials or representatives thereof, or with any person seeking employment in the place of other persons who have quit work by reason of strike;

H.  the truth or falsity of a statement or representation; or

I.  information or evidence to be used before investigating committees, boards, or courts.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.17.030]

10.30.040 “Security Guard” Defined.

“Security guard” is a natural person who engages or advertises or holds himself out as engaged in the security guard business.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.030]

10.30.050 “Security Guard Agency” Defined.

“Security guard agency” is any person who, as principal or employer, engages in or advertises and holds himself out as being engaged in the security guard business.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.030]

10.30.060 “Security Guard Business” Defined.

“Security guard business” is the business, or representing to be in the business, of furnishing guards or other persons to protect people or property.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.030]

10.30.070 Licenses Required.

A.  A person engaging in the private detective business or the security guard business must have both a detective agency license and a private detective license or a security guard agency license and a security guard license, as the case may be.

B.  Each private detective or security guard employed by an agency must have an individual license issued to the agency in the name of the employee. Upon termination of employment the agency surrenders the employee’s license to the license officer.

C.  Licenses required by this section are class II licenses under SMC chapter 4.04.

[Ord. C24391 §§ 18.14.040, 18.14.050]

10.30.080 Exemptions.

A.  This chapter does not apply to:

1.   officers of any governmental entity;

2.   persons in the business of furnishing information concerning financial standing and credit;

3.   persons inquiring as to the personal habits and financial responsibilities of applicants for insurance, indemnity bonds, or commercial credit or of claimants under insurance policies.

B.  No person may hire another to perform private detective or security guard services regulated by this chapter unless said other person is licensed as required by this chapter, except that a person may choose to employ a commissioned member of the Spokane police department through a contract with the City as provided in SMC 3.01.720(B) and 7.06.274.

[Ord. C29904; Passed: 11/26/1990]

10.30.090 Qualifications of Licensees.

A.  To be eligible for a detective agency license or a security guard agency license, the applicant must:

1.   if other than a natural person, have complied with all registration, reporting and other state business regulations so as to be qualified to do business in Washington;

2.   with respect to each individual proprietor, partner, officer and managing agent:

a.   be at least eighteen years of age,

b.   be of good moral character,

c.   be free of a felony conviction in the preceding ten years, and

d.   have at least six months experience as a detective or have completed a course of instruction approved by the Veterans Administration or the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

B.  To be eligible for a private detective license or a security guard license an applicant must be:

1.   at least eighteen years of age;

2.   of good moral character;

3.   free of a felony conviction in the preceding ten years.

[Ord. C24391 §§ 18.14.060, 18.14.070]

10.30.100 Employee Records.

Every agency must keep available for inspection by the license officer records of the full name, residence, address, description and history of every person employed as a private detective or security guard. Each such employee is designated by a separate number.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.080]

10.30.110 Employee Identification.

A.  Each agency must furnish each employee an identification card bearing the name, general description, identification number, signature and photograph of the licensee. Each licensee must carry the identification card on his or her person and display it upon the demand of any police officer or person to whom the licensee has identified himself as a private detective or security guard.

B.  In addition to identification card required by subsection (A) of this section, every security guard while on duty must be in uniform and wear a conspicuous badge. The agency files a description of the uniform and a sample badge with the license officer for approval prior to use.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.090]

10.30.120 Special Regulations.

A.  No private detective may interfere with or become involved in any dispute between an employer and the employer’s employees, an employer and a union, or a union and its members, except for the purpose of gathering information.

B.  A license under this chapter does not authorize the holder to do any act which would be unlawful if done by a peace officer.

[Ord. C24391 § 18.14.100]