Texas Private Security Board.

In 1969 the Texas Legislature created the Texas Board of Private Detectives, Private Investigators, Private Patrolmen, and Private Guard Watchmen (or Private Guards and Managers), to examine, license, and regulate persons working in the field of private security (Senate Bill 164, 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969). A revision of the law in 1971 changed the agency's name to Texas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies (Senate Bill 768, 62nd Legislature, Regular Session, 1971). This law expanded the board's jurisdiction to include the regulation of burglar alarm companies, courier companies, armored car companies, guard dog companies, and the security departments of private businesses with armed guards. In 1983, unarmed security guards, alarm installers, security salespeople, and security consultants were added to the list of those regulated; in 1987, guard dog trainers; in 1989, alarm systems monitors; and in 1993, alarm systems engineers. In 1999 the name was changed once again, to the Texas Commission on Private Security (House Bill 2617, 76th Legislature, Regular Session). In 2003, the commission was abolished (House Bill 2, 78th Legislature, Regular Session), and in 2004 became the Texas Private Security Board under the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The regulatory duties of the board include the licensing, commissioning, and registering of persons and companies in the private security professions, as well as the approving of schools and instructors to train security officers. In 1975, authority was granted to establish training requirements and criminal history background checks for armed private security personnel. The board, through field investigators established in 1991 in Arlington, Austin, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio, also investigates complaints from law enforcement agencies, consumers, and the general public.

Beginning in 1999, the board consists of ten members: the director of the Department of Public Safety, who serves as an ex-officio member; five public members, who must be U.S. citizens; one member licensed by the board as a private investigator for at least 5 years; one member licensed as an owner or operator of an alarm systems company for at least 5 years; one member licensed as an owner or operator of a guard company for at least 5 years; one member who holds a license, a security officer commission, or a registration issued by the board for at least 5 years.

From 1971 to 1999, the board consisted of eight members. The attorney general and the director of the Department of Public Safety (or their designated representatives) were the two ex-officio members. The other six were appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate for overlapping six-year terms (increased from two-year terms in 1971). Two of the appointed members must have been engaged as a private investigator or security services contractor for five consecutive years; one must have owned or operated a guard company for five consecutive years; and three were members of the general public. (Until 1971, the board consisted of only seven members, which included one city or county law enforcement officer, and only one citizen member, who served as chairman.) The governor names the chair, and the board appoints an executive director. (Vernon's Ann. Civ. St., Article 4413(29bb))

In FY 1994, the board received 3,279 company license applications, 41,713 registrations, 14,216 security officer commission applications, and 5,005 complaints; 197 training schools and 366 instructors had been approved by the board; 3,991 cases of complaints were closed (including 1,266 revocations of licenses, etc., and 1,855 uncontested suspensions); and 25 criminal cases were filed in court.

As of 1995, the agency was organized into five divisions: Administration, Automated Services, Licensing, Investigations, and Hearings. The total staff numbered 46 full-time equivalent employees.

In 2003, the Texas Legislature abolished the Texas Commission on Private Security, transferring its functions to the Texas Department of Public Safety (House Bill 2, 78th Legislature, Regular Session), effective September 1, 2003. Effective February 1, 2004, it became known as the Texas Private Security Board under the Texas Department of Public Safety.

(Sources include the appraisal reports produced by Texas State Archives staff; the Guide to Texas State Agencies, 8th edition (1998) and 11th edition (2001); the agency's Strategic Plan for 1995-1999; and the enabling legislation, 1969, 1971, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1999, 2003.)

From the guide to the Private Security Board records, 1969-2008, (Texas State Archives)