Non-public policing

[4WD]

Same with most of the universities in Texas.

Many state agencies here in Austin have gun toting security guards. I don't know what their exact powers are but if they're carrying guns, I would assume they are authorized to use deadly force under certain situations.

Some other agencies have actual Capitol Police or DPS (State Troopers).

At the place I contract at, they are "VSP" or something like that, I think Veteran Security Patrol. Maybe VSA, not sure. Many Iraqis and Afganistanis. All carrying a service pistol.

Starting a couple years ago - our HEB (small town) hired armed security - never heard the story behind it - saw one last week - Glock on hip …

 

[y_p_w]

In SC the large gated communities have their own police forces. They follow mostly the same rules as a small town would. They can arrest people but have no capacity to do anything after that and would turn whomever to the local government authority.

So long as they follow the law I have no issues with the concept.

That sounds more like security guards.

I created this topic thinking about truly non-government entities that legally have their own police forces with police powers granted by state law. Fully authorized for Like this guy, who is a special agent with CSX Police:

 

[y_p_w]

Starting a couple years ago - our HEB (small town) hired armed security - never heard the story behind it - saw one last week - Glock on hip …

I've seen armed security guards at Target stores. Some supermarkets, but one I saw them at before doesn't seem to have them now. And an armed security guard at Chuck E. Cheese. I'm not kidding.

 

[Hall]

Starting a couple years ago - our HEB (small town) hired armed security - never heard the story behind it - saw one last week - Glock on hip …

I've seen armed security guards at Target stores. Some supermarkets, but one I saw them at before doesn't seem to have them now. And an armed security guard at Chuck E. Cheese. I'm not kidding.

Some Kroger locations in rougher parts of town here have "armed security", which are in fact off-duty police officers. How can you tell ? They wear their police uniforms.

 

[4WD]

Some Kroger locations in rougher parts of town here have "armed security", which are in fact off-duty police officers. How can you tell ? They wear their police uniforms.

That’s who guards some big corps these days - 8 hours for the city/county -
4 hours for company “crew change” periods …

 

[SC Maintenance]

That sounds more like security guards.

I created this topic thinking about truly non-government entities that legally have their own police forces with police powers granted by state law. Fully authorized for Like this
guy, who is a special agent with CSX Police:

Nope. They have the same authority to arrest and investigate as the police. They in fact are the police and have the same authority as a sheriff deputy on the property there protecting. But they don’t have a DA or jail.

 

[y_p_w]

Some Kroger locations in rougher parts of town here have "armed security", which are in fact off-duty police officers. How can you tell ? They wear their police uniforms.

Oh - I've seen that before. There are places where I've seen dedicated police parking spots outside the store, including on public streets. Especially Apple Stores. I can't figure out why anyone would steal electronics from an Apple Store given that they can brick pretty much anything that's taken. There's a Nike store where I've seen police just sitting on a stool inside. For those, I believe the retailer pays for it and it's probably considered an "off duty" assignment like a nightclub or a football game.