Personal Protection Officer
Police Officers:
The question was asked whether full-time peace officers must be licensed by the department in order to accept extra-employment as Personal Protection Officers. The department is of the opinion that peace officers who meet the conditions of Section 1702.322, and who are, therefore, exempt from the licensing requirements of the statute, do not need to be licensed in order to perform the services of a Personal Protection Officer.
Under certain circumstances, Section 1702.322 exempts full-time peace officers from the Act. Of specific relevance to this question is the condition that the peace officers perform services as “a patrolman, guard, extra job coordinator, or watchman ….” §1702.322(1) (emphasis added). An individual performs the services of a “guard” when he or she is employed to (among other things) “protect an individual from bodily harm including through the use of a personal protection officer.” §1702.108(4) (emphasis added). Thus, the provision of personal protection services by a full-time peace officer is within the scope of Section 1702.322’s exemption.
Level 4 Protection Officer:
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) regulates the private security profession in Texas. DPS protects the public by conducting fingerprint-based background checks on applicants, investigating and resolving complaints, and taking disciplinary action against licensees or seeking criminal prosecution of those who perform private security services without a license.
The private security profession includes armed and unarmed security guards, personal protection officers, private investigators, alarm systems installers and monitors, armored car couriers, electronic access control device installers, and locksmiths. DPS regulates the private security profession under the authority of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 and the related administrative rules.