Strong partnerships between public police and private policing services similar to the San Francisco Patrol Special Police have been welcomed for many years by major city leaders and city agencies across the nation in order to supplement local law enforcement. The concept is far from novel. In fact, when our former Police Chief Charles Gascon held that position, in Mesa, AZ, both his department and the fire department could call upon private security to secure property in case of an emergency (see below). Private police have also served successfully for special events policing such as the Olympics in Atlanta, patrolling on public buses in Durham, North Carolina, and for addressing growing crime levels in center cities or housing projects such as in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Relying on trusted neighborhood police such as the Patrol Specials who are dedicated to rapid response and proactive policing in specific, small neighborhoods, makes sense across the nation to free up our public police. It's an imperative strategy for San Francisco to adopt as we face by the end of 2009, cut-backs in major overtime expenses and possible lay-offs of 100 public police. View details of existing, successful national programs below:

EXAMPLES IN CALIFORNIA

Palo Alto, CA - private guards working with police on railway tracks to prevent teen suicides.
Oakland, CA - City Council hires private security guard firm to fill in for declining public police forces.  Also, Chinatown merchants hire private security to supplement declining police force.  August, 2010
Oakland, CA - private guards in center city #1
Oakland, CA - private guards in center city #2

EXAMPLES IN OTHER STATES

Mesa, AZ - (San Francisco Police Chief formerly served as Police Chief of this city) - private security to secure property following an emergency can be called into service by Investigators and Command officers of the police and fire departments (procedures for security guard use).

Fairfield, CT - Special Agents work part-time and their assignment can vary according to the needs of the Police Department. They receive training in issuing parking tickets, traffic control and other topics but they are not certified police officers. Special Agents in Fairfield do not make arrests. The history of the Special Agent (Police Officer) in Fairfield goes back to the Second World War.

Stamford, CT - Public police and mall security work together in shopping malls, with an outreach group of youths with radios and civilian clothes. The youths inform other younger mall patrons of the rules, such as a ban on large groups.

Aspen, CO - Free taxi ride home administered by the Sheriff, no tickets issued to 'tipsy' persons.

Miami Beach, FL - private security hired for public buildings in 'low-priority' areas.

Atlanta, GA - Operation Shield (est. 2000; operated by the Atlanta Police Foundation with business alliance, APD, and mayoral support, and corporate sponsorship) - membership collaborative for private businesses and homeowner associations with and without their own security personnel. It offers members faster access to 911 services, a web network of text and cell phone communications and forums, and a dedicated channel for fast communications among members regarding criminal and other safety incidents.

Chicago, IL - "Special Police" serve at the pleasure of the Superintendent. They have full police powers within the limitations of their assignments. Sec. 4-340 Chicago City Code (1993). Appointed and licensed by city, subject to all rules and regulations of the police officers of city.

Bloomington, IN - The Bloomington Police Department has a number of specialized units providing a wide variety of services to the community. Whether a natural disaster or a man-made one, Patrol Special Operations is ready to respond. The division assesses critical areas and plans strategies for dealing with possible disasters. Responsible for coordinating relief efforts with departments, Patrol Special Operations' trained personnel and specialized equipment are ready to act in an emergency.

Marion County, IN - Sheriff's department has agreement with 41 private security companies permitting police powers to be exercised on private property (as in Oregon); active in enforcing honesty.

Minneapolis, MN - private police in center city.

Durham, NC - private guards on public transit. Wackenhut private security company has sworn company police officers (CPO), with arrest authority, in addition to security officers that are armed. Monday - Saturday there is a sworn Wackenhut officer at the bus terminal from 8 a.m. - 12 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. There is an additional security officer present Monday - Friday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.

North Carolina - Delta Company Police was incorporated in July of 2007 and serves in Southport, Raieigh, and Charlotte, NC. This is a 'company police agency' serving both governental clients and private clients, pursuant to State Law, Chapter 74E: http://law.onecle.com/north-carolina/74e-company-police-act/74e-2.html

North Carolina -Pinnacle Special Police can make arrests for felonies and misdemeanors, and issue citations for infractions, the same as any municipal or county officer in the State of North Carolina.

Brooklyn, NY - private security force for Starrett City, an apartment complex with 20,000 tenants located in a high-crime part of the city, for over 20 years; so effective that city police coverage cut to two part-time officers.

Buffalo, NY - the Common Council of the City of Buffalo passed a resolution recognizing the Buffalo Special Police as an entity of the city (Public Officers Law 18). This resolution has been signed and the BSP was waiting on the mayor to activate Peace Officer Status (sign the registry).

NYC, NY - Special Patrolmen provided for by state and city law to work with public police, used for policing non city-agencies such as the Brooklyn library, coop city, Delano village, and Lefrak City. Also, the “special officer” patch was created in 1997 and used by the dept of homeless services. Source: NYCPD and posting by former Special Patrolman Robinson.

Akron, OH - University Park Alliance joins many groups and in spring, 2011, are developing a private policing program to supplement the public police around the University campus.

Cincinnati, OH - The City-Chartered private police officers perform special police duties for the benefit of, and at the expense of, private persons or corporations. Officers are commissioned by the chief of police with the approval of the director of safety upon a showing by such private persons or corporations of the necessity therefore. There are three types of private police: (1) special police, (2) private police, and (3) metro private police. These police hold peace officer powers to arrest while on private client property. See city regulations regarding this program. As of April, 2011, there are about 15 active officers. The Association of private police have a website.

Bend, OR - Patrol specials - Other news about Patrol Specials in Oregon

Portland, OR - Per the Mercury newspaper, Portland’s downtown area is patrolled by armed personnel with arrest powers that are supplied by Portland Patrol, Inc. This private security company is licensed by the state as a security guard company, and works in collaboration with public police. It is staffed solely with former peace officers by decision of the CEO.

Virginia Department of Criminal Services in late 2008 was trying to foster closer ties between security companies without police powers and the police and sheriff's departments. The agency has begun training and certifying "Private Crime Prevention Practitioners" and soon plans to send security companies e-mails with unclassified homeland security threats and crime alerts.

** Coming: Seattle, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, and more!

EXAMPLES OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

Winnepeg, Canada - Outreach Patrol (downtown). Police union opposes the idea there, as it does in most cities, in favor of more taxpayer-paid cadets added to the public police force.

Lancashire, England - special constabularies are supported by business, composed of citizens who help the public police.

Southampton, England - private patrol police service established by neighbors.

England - Each of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, as well the 8 Scottish forces and British Transport Police, has their own Special Constabulary.  Every "Special" is sworn in at court or in the presence of a magistrate in the same manner as a full-time ("regular") police officer. Specials work alongside their regular colleagues and have the same powers in law, including the power of arrest.