SECTION 390:35-15-1. Private security school accreditation

(a)   All schools, school coordinators, and instructors approved by CLEET to conduct private security training shall do so in accordance with the Act and all applicable rules of set forth in this subchapter.

(b)   The CLEET approved curricula for private security training was developed and validated by the Oklahoma State Department of Vocational and Technical Education, under the direction of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, and representatives from the fields of industrial security and private investigation. No additions, deletions, or revisions shall be made to the approved curricula without first obtaining the express permission of CLEET.

(c)   Training schools wishing to implement private security training must meet the minimum standards for school coordinators, instructors, training facilities, and curriculum, as set forth in this section, to ensure a consistent training program throughout the State of Oklahoma.

(d)   The approved private security training program includes three (3) courses of instruction, each being related to the type of license being applied for. These courses are divided into four (4) training phases:

(1)   Phase 1 "Basic" - A course of instruction related to general private security tasks.

(2)   Phase 2 "Security Guard"- A course of instruction specifically related to the tasks of unarmed security guards.

(3)   Phase 3 "Private Investigator" - A course of instruction specifically related to the tasks of private investigators.

(4)   Phase 4 "Firearms" - A course of instruction and familiarization in the care, handling, and firing of revolvers or semi-automatic handguns.

(e)   Specific instructional objectives, lesson plans, and examinations for each training phase are published by the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, in manual form.

(f)   Security guard license applicants must successfully complete Phase 1 - "Basic", and Phase 2 - "Security Guard". This shall be known as the Security Guard Training Course.

(g)   Private Investigator license applicants must successfully complete Phase 1 - "Basic", and Phase 3 - "Private Investigator". This shall be known as the Private Investigator Training Course.

(h)   Armed Security Guard License applicants must successfully complete Phase 1 - "Basic", Phase 2 - "Security Guard", and Phase 4 - "Firearms". This shall be known as the Armed Security Guard Training Course.

(i)   Private Investigators who wish to be licensed as an armed security guard, must successfully complete all phases of private security training at an approved training school, unless training is waived through experience, or credit is granted for comparable training, pursuant to the Act. Private Investigators who do not perform the duties as a security guard, who wish to have the "firearms authorized endorsement" must complete Phase I, III and IV.

(j)   Every person licensed pursuant to the Act must meet the training requirements set forth therein, except in the following circumstances.

(1)   All training requirements, except for firearms training, may be waived upon proof that the applicant was employed as a security guard, armed security guard, private investigator, or law enforcement officer on a full-time basis for at least one (1) year in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of application. This experience may be continuous or cumulative, and must be in accordance with (2) of this subsection.

(2)   As defined in the Act, it is unlawful to be employed as a security guard, or private investigator after January 1, 1988 unless properly licensed. It is unlawful to be employed as an armed security guard after July 1, 1988 unless properly licensed. No person could lawfully gain the experience necessary to qualify for the "Experience Waiver" while working in a private security position under the purview of the Act. Therefore, credit for experience gained in a private security position shall only apply when this experience was accumulated prior to January 1, 1988. This "Experience Waiver" shall expire on January 1, 1990, except for applicants who accumulated such full-time experience while employed in a private security position that is specifically exempted from the license requirements of the Act, or in another state.

(3)   CLEET may grant an applicant credit for fulfilling all or part of the training requirements, including firearms training, when an applicant submits documented proof of training that meets or exceeds the prescribed training standards as set forth in the Phase 4 - Firearms curriculum.

(4)   Completion of CLEET mandated Basic Peace Officer training or reserve officer training, pursuant to Title 70, Section 3311 (F), may be considered as comparable training.

(k)   Private security training conducted by any school without the prior approval of CLEET shall be considered null and void, and not in compliance with the provisions of this Act, and these rules and regulations.

(l)   For credit to be given for any training conducted prior to the adoption of these rules and regulations, the training school must make application to CLEET, in compliance with these rules, for the approval of such training to be considered.

(1)   If the curriculum of such training courses do not meet the minimum training standards, no credit shall be given.

(2)   If any school conducted training under assurances that said training was approved by any agency of the State of Oklahoma, or that such training would satisfy the training requirements of this Act, when in fact there was no such approval, or minimum requirements had not been met, CLEET may:

(A)   Deny a subsequent application from that school, or take action against an approved private security training school, or

(B)   Present the circumstances to the proper authorities for possible criminal charges or other sanctions authorized by law, or by the rules of this Chapter.

[Source: Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3640, eff 7-26-98]