Better Security Guard Screening Urged
Police officials from two dozen Southern California agencies gathered Tuesday to vent their frustrations over unlicensed or unqualified security guards in their cities, but many left the meeting optimistic about promised reforms in the screening of private guards.
The meeting was organized by Assemblyman Jim Morrissey (R-Santa Ana), who said he is deeply concerned about the integrity of the private security industry. He said he is especially worried about bureaucratic blind spots that allow criminals to slip into the ranks.
Last year, the state revoked, suspended or denied 1,934 guard licenses for criminal behavior, but that number fails to track any offenses by thousands of contract guards who work illegally without a license, officials concede.
The police officials suggested that while most of the state’s more than 164,000 registered guards are honest, some break the law.
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