Hemet – A small city
near Temecula passed a city ordinance requiring private security companies to
have uniforms, insignias, shields and badges that are "clearly
distinguishable" from those worn by Hemet police officers.
The city council, who obviously doesn’t know
this law already exists state-wide, passed the ordinance unanimously. The ordinance
also prohibits private security guards from driving cars and motorcycles with
markings that bear a striking resemblance to those driven by Hemet
police.
The ordinance requires companies to avoid look-alike
uniforms and choose colors and designs for insignias, shields and badges that
don't resemble those of local, state or federal law enforcement officials. Vehicle insignias, decals and colors must be
approved by Hemet's police chief
and include the word "private" in at least four-inch capital letters.
Basically, because the city council thinks the citizens of
Hemet are to ignorant to be able to tell the difference between a public
officer and a private professional, the security companies in Hemet must find a
uniform, badge, and decal that no state or federal agency use.
Hemet city councilman
Jim Foreman said he thinks the ordinance is needed after recently finding
himself in a situation in which he almost mistook a private security guard for
a Los Angeles policeman.