The Connecticut security officer license
In Connecticut, security officers are licensed by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). The Special Licensing and Firearms Unit (SLFU) handles the applications. The main law is section 29-161q of the Connecticut General Statutes. Many people call the license card a guard card.
A security service may only hire security officers who are at least 18 years old and of good moral character. Armed security officers must be at least 21.
Who cannot be approved
- A person convicted of a felony.
- A person convicted of any sexual offense.
- A person convicted of a crime that questions their honesty and integrity.
- A person who was refused a license under the state's security licensing law, unless the only reason was lack of experience.
- A person whose license was revoked or is under suspension.
The 8-hour approved training
Before the license is issued, you must complete at least 8 hours of training in a course approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Private instructors teach it, and you pay for it yourself.
| Required subject | What it is about |
|---|---|
| Basic first aid | Helping an injured or sick person until help arrives |
| Search and seizure laws and regulations | The limits on searching people and taking property |
| Use of force | When force may be used and how much is reasonable |
| Basic criminal justice and public safety issues | How the justice system works and the officer's place in it |
When you finish, the instructor signs the back of application form DPS-135-C. DESPP does not publish a separate state licensing exam, so the training and the background check are the main steps.
Less lethal weapons
If you plan to carry a less lethal weapon, such as a baton or pepper spray, the law now requires extra training in its lawful use.
Military waiver
DESPP waives the training for active military members and for people honorably separated within the last two years. Former police officers should contact SLFU about a waiver.
Applying, carrying and renewing the card
- Finish the approved training and have the instructor sign form DPS-135-C.
- Pay the fingerprint fee online, then get fingerprinted for state and national criminal history checks.
- Gather a passport-style color photo, a copy of your Connecticut driver's license and the signed FBI privacy statement.
- Mail the complete packet to DESPP SLFU. Incomplete packets are sent back.
The security officer card is good for 5 years unless it is suspended or revoked, and the license is then renewed.
On the job
- Carry your card at all times while working as a security officer.
- Show it to any police officer who asks.
- Your employer must register you with DESPP immediately after hiring you.
- If you leave the job, your employer must tell DESPP within 5 days.
Armed officers
To carry a firearm on duty you need the armed security officer endorsement (the blue card) under section 29-161z, plus a Connecticut pistol permit. You must have the regular card first. Armed officers complete an 8-hour firearms training and qualification course and then an annual refresher.
Connecticut law for security officers
A security license does not give you police powers. Your main job is to observe, deter and report.
Watching, being visible and reporting are the core of security work.
- Observe: watch people, places and activity carefully
- Deter: a visible, alert officer discourages crime
- Report: pass on what you see by radio, phone or written report
Trespass
Under section 53a-107, a person commits criminal trespass in the first degree if, knowing they have no right to be there, they enter or stay after an order to leave or not to enter that the owner or another authorized person gave them personally. It is a class A misdemeanor. As the owner's agent, you may tell a person to leave. If they refuse, call the police instead of using force.
Shoplifting detentions
Under section 53a-119a, a store owner or an authorized agent or employee who has reasonable grounds to believe a person is stealing merchandise may question the person and hold them for a time sufficient to summon a police officer. The person must give their name and address. No other information may be required until police take the person into custody.
Using the training on the job
Use of force
Use force only when it is lawful and necessary, and only as much as is reasonable. Stop when the threat stops. Get medical help for anyone who is hurt and write a full report.
Whether force is reasonable depends on the whole situation.
- Threat: what you face, any weapon, and the size and skill of the people involved
- Necessity: whether force is really needed at that moment
- Proportionality: whether the force matches the threat
- Other options: stepping back, talking or calling police
- Aftermath: stop when the need ends, give first aid and report
Search and seizure
A private security officer is not a police officer. In most cases you may look in a bag only with the person's consent or under a clear site rule that the person agreed to. If someone refuses, observe, report and call the police if a crime is happening.
First aid and reports
Check that the scene is safe, call 911 for serious injuries and give the first aid you were trained to give. Afterward, write notes while details are fresh. Answer who, what, when, where, why and how, and record facts, not opinions.
Professional conduct
Your card can be suspended or revoked, so act in a way that keeps the public's trust. Never suggest that you are a police officer. Keep client information private, refuse gifts meant to make you look the other way, and report problems to your supervisor. Treat everyone the same, and decide whom to watch by what people do, not by how they look.
Key terms
The 16 words and rules to know for this test. Read the list or study them as flashcards: flip each card, then mark it "Know it" or "Still learning".
- DESPP
- The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which licenses security officers.
- Special Licensing and Firearms Unit
- SLFU, the DESPP unit that handles security officer applications and waivers.
- Section 29-161q
- The main Connecticut law on security officer licensing.
- Guard card
- The common name for the Connecticut security officer license card, good for 5 years unless suspended or revoked.
- Age requirements
- Security officers must be at least 18 and of good moral character. Armed officers must be at least 21.
- Disqualifications
- A felony, any sexual offense, a crime questioning honesty, or a revoked or suspended license bars approval.
- 8-hour approved training
- Required before licensing, covering first aid, search and seizure, use of force and criminal justice basics.
- Form DPS-135-C
- The application form whose back the training instructor signs when you finish the course.
- Military waiver
- Training is waived for active military members and those honorably separated within the last two years.
- Employer registration
- Your employer must register you with DESPP immediately after hiring and report your leaving within 5 days.
- Blue card
- The armed security officer endorsement under section 29-161z, held with a regular card and a Connecticut pistol permit.
- Criminal trespass first degree
- Under section 53a-107, entering or staying after a personal order to leave. It is a class A misdemeanor.
- Shoplifting detention
- Under section 53a-119a, a store agent with reasonable grounds may question and hold a person until police arrive.
- Bag search consent
- Officers may usually look in a bag only with consent or under a clear site rule the person agreed to.
- Less lethal weapon training
- Extra training the law requires before you carry a baton, pepper spray or similar weapon.
- Observe, deter, report
- The officer's main job: watch carefully, discourage crime by being visible, and pass on what you see.