HB 2656 - Private Security Act Exemption

[CAL]

This bill will allow jailers and other law enforcement personnel to be exempt from The Private Security Act. My thoughts are that before these folks are exempted and allowed to take side jobs, part time and reserve peace officers should be exempted. After all, they have the training and experience, NOT the jailers, etc. I am not a proponent of this bill as it is currently proposed.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02656I.pdf#navpanes=0

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB2656

[CAL]

Here is TMPA's email communication regarding this bill:

HB 2656 by Chairman Sid Miller is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, March 29 at 2pm in the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
TMPA needs your help to show elected officials that HB 2656 is bad for peace officers. Please call the elected officials listed below, any time between now and Tuesday at 2pm (it is okay to call over the weekend), and come to the Capitol on Tuesday if you are able.
HB 2656 is a bad bill for peace officers. HB 2656 will allow jailers and other law enforcement personnel to be exempt from The Private Security Act. This exemption will potentially allow as many as 30,000 individuals to flood the extra-job market with inexperience and under-trained employees.
Please come to the Capitol on Tuesday to show our united opposition to HB 2656. If you are able to come, please contact Lon Craft, Director of Legislative Affairs, on his cell phone: (832) 248-5751.
Please call the members of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee (listed below) and tell them you “OPPOSE” HB 2656 because the public deserves the best trained and experienced peace officers providing for their security.

[Chapman38]

From what I read, it won't allow Jailers to work security jobs. It would allow actual peace officers who work inside the jails, like the front reception and lobby, etc.

[CAL]

I read the actual proposed bill and it still requires a Peace Officer license. I don't necessarily have an issue with this proposed bill, except to say that part time officers still have more street experience than jailers and other folks with PO licenses. Who would you rather have working security - a PT officer or a 'receptionist' with a license?

[Swat791]

Some P/T officers like myself have worked 23 years, drawing retirement and Reserve to continue to work as needed and to keep our license active.
I would say go with passing the law to allow full time and reserve officers to work security. Then each department can create a policy with restrictions to who can and cannot work extra jobs.