Uniforms

PURPOSE: The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners may prescribe, by regulation, the uniforms to be worn by licensed security officers. (1) A company shoulder patch shall be mandatory on all shirts, coats, and jackets of private security personnel unless said personnel are within one (1) of the following classifications: (A) Paid, full-time Missouri Peace Officers Standards and Training- (POST-) certified police officers, having a minimum of six hundred (600) hours of POST-certified training (All such individuals must provide the private security section with written documentation from the head law enforcement officer of their department indicating approval of their wearing of their department’s official police uniform while working licensed security in the City of St. Louis); (B) St. Louis Airport Police; (C) St. Louis City Deputy Sheriffs; or (D) St. Louis City Marshals. (E) Police officers who do not satisfy the certification requirements in subsection (1)(A) shall be required to wear the company uniform for which they are employed, and are not eligible to wear their department’s official police uniform. (2) All private security officers should be aware of the following guidelines: (A) All private security officers are required to wear a uniform, which, at a minimum shall consist of trousers or skirt, and shirt or blouse. The word “police” shall only be displayed on official uniforms of individuals within subsections (1)(A) or (1)(B) of this regulation. Verification of the officer’s POST certification is required; (B) All private security officers wearing blue uniform trousers, skirts, shirts, and jackets similar to those worn by the St. Louis Police Department must have their company shoulder patch affixed to either the left or right sleeve, approximately one inch (1") below the shoulder seam, clearly distinguishing them from St. Louis police officers; (C) The badge/identification card issued by the private security section of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will be worn on the breast of the outermost garment, in plain view, while on duty and performing a bona fide security function for an employer; (D) Private security personnel may wear a company badge or emblem as devised by their employer. These badges and emblems bear the name of the employer and identify the individual as a private security officer. The word “police” will not be used on the badge or emblem, except as otherwise provided; (E) A company shoulder patch will be mandatory on all shirts, coats, and jackets of private security personnel. The patch may be worn on the right or left sleeve approximately one inch (1") below the shoulder seam. POST-certified police officers with a minimum of six hundred (600) hours of training wearing their approved department uniforms while working security in the City of St. Louis are exempt from this requirement as long as the official department uniform patch is displayed; (F) No buttons, insignia, or decoration which are marked in any way with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department imprint may be worn by a licensed private security officer; and (G) The use of company vehicles for security purposes must conform with the established rules governed under city ordinance. The word “police” will not be displayed on the vehicles. Red and/or blue lights are not allowed on security vehicles. (3) Exemption From Wearing Uniform. The board of police commissioners may exempt a licensed private security officer from wearing a uniform and/or displaying the departmentissued badge/identification card while on duty. Such exemption must be requested by the employer in writing. Each licensed private security officer receiving exemption from the requirement of wearing a uniform may, during the period of the exemption, perform his/her duties as specified on the identification card. The identification card showing that the private security officer has a uniform exemption must be carried while the private security officer is on duty. (A) All letters requesting exemption from the wearing of a uniform or insignia, including proof of need, shall be addressed to the commander of the private security section by the employer of the security officer. (B) A uniform exemption identification will expire on the same date the holder’s license expires. To renew the exemption, a new letter of request shall be submitted to the commander of the private security section by the employer of the security officer. (C) No exemption shall be granted for a licensed courier or watchman. (4) Armed Uniform Exemption. In rare instances the board of police commissioners may exempt an armed licensed private security officer, upon written application from his/her employer, from wearing a uniform and/or insignia provided by the board. The employer must show, in writing, that the wearing of a uniform or insignia hinders the efficient performance of security duties by the employee. These requests will be reviewed by the board of police commissioners. Note: A private security officer receiving this exemption may perform his/her duties as specified on the identification card and may carry an authorized, loaded firearm on his/her person while performing security duties for the employer subject to the rules and regulations established by the board of police commissioners. A private security officer licensed under these conditions is not authorized to carry the weapon on his/her person while traveling in either direction between place of residence and place of assignment and must unload the weapon and transport it according to existing laws and ordinances. Violation of any of these provisions renders the offender subject to penalties, which can include license revocation. AUTHORITY: section 84.340, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed April 8, 1988, effective July 11, 1988. Amended: Filed Feb. 13, 2002, effective Aug. 30, 2002. Amended: Filed May 14, 2008, effective Dec. 30, 2008. Amended: Filed April 23, 2012, effective Oct. 30, 2012. *Original authority: 84.340, RSMo 1939.