Special police???

[TacMac]

how do pierce transit and spokane transit security guards have arrest powers? does washington allow for the use of SPOs? and if so, can private entities use SPOs?

[Seventy2002]

how do pierce transit and spokane transit security guards have arrest powers?

According to Pierce Transit's website, security officers have authority to issue Notices of Infraction pursuant to RCW 7.80.050. While they cannot make arrests, per RCW 8.80.060, they may detain subjects "for a period of time not longer than is reasonably necessary to identify the person for purposes of issuing a civil infraction."

While I can't find it explicitly stated, I infer a transit authority is a "Limited authority Washington law enforcement agency", meaning it can commission officers to enforce a subset of the law. Edit: See article linked in post #9.

does Washington allow for the use of SPOs?

Washington uses the term "Specially commissioned Washington peace officer" but it means someone issued a limited commission by a "General authority Washington law enforcement agency." An example would be a parking enforcement officer commissioned by a municipal police department to issue only parking infractions.

can private entities use SPOs?

The only private entities authorized to maintain police forces are railroads, under RCW 81.60.

[Xellos357]

Interesting information!

[ArmyVet]

This might help:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=10.93.020

It specifically lists transportation commission as a limited authority law enforcement agency whereas a specially commissioned peace officer may hold a limited commission or be fully commissioned.

[TacMac]

This might help:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=10.93.020

It specifically lists transportation commission as a limited authority law enforcement agency whereas a specially commissioned peace officer may hold a limited commission or be fully commissioned.

so couldnt private entities also get special police commission from a law enforcement agency?

[ArmyVet]

so couldnt private entities also get special police commission from a law enforcement agency?

They could and they are called special conservators of the peace.

Just kidding. This is a mutual aid statute, but I believe the premises is that in order to be specially commissioned peace officer you have to have attended an academy approved by the criminal justice training commission.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=10.93.090

[ArmyVet]

Both reserve officers and officers duly commissioned with Idaho or Oregon are considered specially commissioned peace officers and both need to attend an academy (WAC 139-05-810).

As far as transit is concerned, they are considered enforcement officers as defined in RCW 36.57A.235 and 7.80.040.

[NightRover]

http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2009/05/pierce-transit-swears-in-13-security-officers.aspx

When the Pierce County Transit guys were hired for this position back in 2008/2009ish, they went through pretty much the same process a police officer candidate would go through in terms of background check, poly, psych etc. This allowed them to be eligible for a limited commission since they had been thoroughly vetted. A couple of guys I worked with at the time jumped ship and went to work for them. Their limited commission only allows them to cite and or detain for certain infractions and is very limited in it's scope. They are not covered outside of their immediate employment area which in this case is the transit system.

[Seventy2002]

A hospital in Yakima County has their security personnel hold special commissions from the city they are in, again no CJTC training.

Interesting. What laws are they commissioned to enforce?

[ArmyVet]

However, when it comes to a Sheriff or Chief "deputizing/commissioning" personnel from another agency the Sheriff/Chief can dictate what kind of training is necessary.

Thanks for the info! It's interesting what Pierce Transit is doing. I guess the job posting says it all "unique" and "first of its kind."

[NightRover]

What's the deal with the mall ninja vest?

[Seventy2002]

D Not sure if it was just to enforce RCW 9A.50

Violations of RCW 9A.50 are misdemeanors. Giving an untrained civilian arrest authority seems like a really bad idea. I could see a limited commission for writing parking infractions.

A hospital in my area hires off-duty officers and deputies as security officers. Although they wear their agency uniforms and carry their firearms, the PDs and SO make it clear they are to call on-duty officers if arrests need to be made.