Missouri has no state-wide program concerning private security officers. However, some municipalities have adopted formal processes. Highlighted within is Kansas City. A smaller program involving watch personnel and security agency exist in St. Louis.

Kansas City also has a series of license classifications varying in function and degree of authority.
Those with powers of apprehension and detention tend to have higher standards and requirements than those merely providing crowd control.
Hence the differences between the armed officer and the guard or loss prevention officer can be marked.

Classification of Licenses
(A) Class A licensees shall have the authority to detain or apprehend suspects either committing felonies, misdemeanors or city ordinance violations in the presence of the licensee or during the attempt to commit the same or upon probable cause to believe an offense was committed; provided, however, the authority is limited to the property the licensee is hired to protect during the hours s/he is hired to protect and is not to extend to the public streets of Kansas City, Missouri with the exception of suspects fleeing from private property, the authority shall extend to the public streets so long as there is hot pursuit and the suspect has not attempted escape in a vehicle and further excepting airport police officers whose authority is set forth in this rule.

(B) Class B licenses shall grant limited powers and authorities to a licensee, but this classification does not grant the authority for the licensees to detain or apprehend suspects. An applicant shall designate the particular sub classification listed in this subsection when applying for a Class B license. An applicant must make a separate application when applying for a Class B license designating more than one (1) sub classification of authority. The license identification issued by the board shall designate which subcategory of a Class B license has been granted.

For a full regulatory review of these different license classifications, see page 23: Rules of Boards of Police Commissioners: Private Security

17 CSR 10-2.040(1)
$90   Class A—Unarmed License
$65   Class A—Unarmed License Renewal
$90   Class B—Unarmed License
$65   Class B—Unarmed License Renewal
$40    State/NCIC/FBI Annual Fingerprinting Fee
$50   Classroom Training/ Continuing Education Fee (every 2 years)

See: Information for Private Security Personnel

17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(B)
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age

17 CSR 10-2.020(3)
The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a legal permanent resident

Not Required

17 CSR 10-2.010(6)
The board’s licensing requirements do not apply to persons acting as bouncers, process servers, bondsmen, surety recovery agents (bounty hunters), or investigators for attorneys unless acting in a private security capacity as defined in these rules.

17 CSR 10-2.010(7)

No license is required for any peace officer authorized to exercise police powers in the city who holds a valid Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificate.

N/A

17 CSR 10-2.060(3)
A licensee must carry his/her license with him/her at all times while they are working.
The license card must be worn on the outer- most garment while on duty. The licensee must produce such
license immediately at the request of a police officer; employee of the board; or person that the licensee
has stopped or detained, if the licensee holds a license which allows him/her to stop and detain persons.

17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(H)
Each applicant applying for a license under these provisions must be of good moral character by having no felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, or city ordinance convictions, which have as an essential element fraud, dishonesty, an act of violence, bribery, illegal drug use, sexual misconduct, and other similar acts constituting moral turpitude as defined by the common law of Missouri except that city ordinance convictions involving driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be considered on a case-by-case basis

17 CSR 10-2.020(2)
The board shall conduct a criminal history records check of each applicant and may conduct investigations as provided by section 84.720 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. The applicant must pay the fee for the criminal history records check and fingerprinting at the time of application and upon each annual renewal.

17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(H)
City ordinance convictions involving driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

17 CSR 10-2.050(2)
As all applicants for Class A licenses are granted the authority to detain or apprehend, each applicant or his/her employer must certify annually on the Form 5409 P.D. to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant is physically and mentally capable of being able to safely detain or apprehend suspects without the necessity of resorting to the displaying or discharging of a weapon except in selfdefense or in defense of another.

17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(D)
Additionally, each applicant applying for a license under these provisions must meet physical and mental standards equivalent to those required of department police officers.

17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(G)
Each applicant applying for a license under these provisions must not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor in federal or state court

17 CSR 10-2.050(3)(H)

Each applicant applying for a license under these provisions mustbe of good moral character by having no felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, or city ordinance convictions, which have as an essential element fraud, dishonesty, an act of violence, bribery, illegal drug use, sexual misconduct, and other similar acts constituting moral turpitude as defined by the common law of Missouri.

See: Criminal History Check Form

The criminal history background check is conducted utilizing sources of the State, National Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
See: Private Officer FAQs

Not Required

According to 17 CSR 10-2.010 (1)
Any corporation, partnership, or other entity that provides private security services is fully responsible for the acts and omissions of its employees acting in the course and scope of their duties. Training is the responsibility of the entity hiring such employees.

The training should cover the following topics:
•   Detention and seizure
•   How to interact with the general public and public officials
•   The licensing process, including rules
•   How to react to crisis situations
•   Liability issues
•   Crime and criminal liability
•   Firearms responsibility and liability
•   Patrol techniques.

See: 17 CSR 10-2.050 A

17 CSR 10-2.050(1)
All applicants for licensing shall successfully pass a written examination as presented by the department to potential licensees. A person failing to obtain a passing score as established by the board may be allowed to retake the written test three (3) times.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 454.1003
1.   A court or the director of the division of child support enforcement may issue an order, or in the case of a business, professional or occupational license, only a court may issue an order, suspending an obligor’s license and ordering the obligor to refrain from engaging in a licensed activity in the following cases:

(1)   When the obligor is not making child support payments in accordance with a support order and owes an arrearage in an amount greater than or equal to three months support payments or two thousand five hundred dollars, whichever is less, as of the date of service of a notice of intent to suspend such license; or

(2)   When the obligor or any other person, after receiving appropriate notice, fails to comply with a subpoena of a court or the director concerning actions relating to the establishment of paternity, or to the establishment, modification or enforcement of support orders, or order of the director for genetic testing.

2.   In any case but a IV-D case, upon the petition of an obligee alleging the existence of an arrearage, a court with jurisdiction over the support order may issue a notice of intent to suspend a license. In a IV-D case, the director, or a court at the request of the director, may issue a notice of intent to suspend.

3.   The notice of intent to suspend a license shall be served on the obligor personally or by certified mail. If the proposed suspension of license is based on the obligor’s support arrearage, the notice shall state that the obligor’s license shall be suspended sixty days after service unless, within such time, the obligor:

(1)   Pays the entire arrearage stated in the notice;

(2)   Enters into and complies with a payment plan approved by the court or the division; or

(3)   Requests a hearing before the court or the director.

4.   In a IV-D case, the notice shall advise the obligor that hearings are subject to the contested case provisions of chapter 536.

5.   If the proposed suspension of license is based on the alleged failure to comply with a subpoena relating to paternity or a child support proceeding, or order of the director for genetic testing, the notice of intent to suspend shall inform the person that such person’s license shall be suspended sixty days after service, unless the person complies with the subpoena or order.

6.   If the obligor fails to comply with the terms of repayment agreement, a court or the division may issue a notice of intent to suspend the obligor’s license.

7.   In addition to the actions to suspend or withhold licenses pursuant to this chapter, a court or the director of the division of child support enforcement may restrict such licenses in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

  •   Materials required to obtain a private security license in KCMO (licensing material)

  •   Form 5001 – Information for Private Security/Proprietary Private Investigative Personnel (PDF)

  •   Form 5058 – P.D. Private Officers Licensing Section Informational Manual (PDF)

Rules and Laws
  •   Rules of Board of Police Commissioners 10.2 – Private Security

  •   MO Rev Stat § 454.1003 (2012)

  •   Frequently Asked Questions

Additional sources of information for other municipalities in Missouri:
  •   Columbia, Missouri, Code of Ordinances/ Chapter 13 – Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations/ Article III. – Armed Guard and Security Guards

  •   City of Columbia, Finance Department, Business Licensing Division

  •   St. Louis, Metropolitan Police Department