SPECIAL POLICE OFFICERS

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 2, ch. 2-30

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-1 Definitions.

Sec. 2-30-1. - Definitions. As used in this chapter: Limited special police officer is any person qualified hereunder except who is not authorized to carry firearms on duty. Special police officer is any person who accepts employment for hire, fee or reward for the purpose of policing, watching and guarding the property or premises of individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, corporations, company or organization of any kind within the limits of the city. (Code 1967, § 30-28; Code 1985, § 28-31; Ord. No. 498, § 2, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 1, 7-13-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-2 Appointment required.

Sec. 2-30-2. - Appointment required. A. The director of police services may permit persons to engage in the business of policing, watching and guarding the premises or property of persons in some particular area of the city. No person shall operate or be permitted to operate as a special police officer or as a limited special police officer in the city without first being appointed as such by the director of police services. B. Applicants for appointment and commission under provisions of this chapter may be employed as limited special police officers prior to receiving appointment and commission, only with the approval of the director of police services, after an investigation has been conducted as to whether such applicant has any criminal record. (Code 1967, § 30-29; Code 1985, § 28-32; Ord. No. 498, § 3, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 2, 7-13-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-3 Application for appointment.

Sec. 2-30-3. - Application for appointment. A. Appointments made hereunder shall be made upon blank forms prepared and made available by the director of police services and shall state: 1. The full name, age, residence, present and previous occupations of the applicant; 2. Whether the person signing the application is a citizen of the United States; 3. A specific description of the location of the principal place of business of the applicant; 4. The number of years experience the applicant has had as a special police officer or in related fields; 5. The length of time applicant has been a bona fide resident of the state immediately preceding the filing of the application; 6. The application required hereunder shall be accompanied by a full set of fingerprints and a recent photograph of the applicant; 7. Such other information as the director of police services shall find reasonably necessary to effectuate the general purpose of this chapter and to make a fair determination of whether the terms of this chapter have been complied with. B. A fee of $30.00 shall be charged for processing each application for such a commission. Such persons may use temporary employees for special events, at the discretion of the director of police services, without securing such a permit or paying such $30.00 fee where the temporary employment does not exceed ten days and such employee does not wear firearms in connection with such employment; however, the names, addresses and birth date of such temporary employees, and the identity and date of the special event for which they are to be employed, shall be furnished to and approved by the director of police services, or his or her designated representative, at least ten days prior to the commencement of such special event. (Code 1967, § 30-30; Code 1985, § 28-33; Ord. No. 498, § 4, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 1714, § 1, 5-8-1973)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-4 Investigation of applicant for commission.

Sec. 2-30-4. - Investigation of applicant for commission. After receipt of an application as provided for herein, the director of police services shall cause an investigation to be made of the applicant and his or her proposed operation. (Code 1967, § 30-31; Code 1985, § 28-34; Ord. No. 498, § 5, 7-8-1969)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-5 Standards for issuance of commission.

Sec. 2-30-5. - Standards for issuance of commission. A. The director of police services shall appoint special police officers and limited special police officers hereunder when he or she finds: 1. That the applicant is of good moral character; 2. That the applicant has never been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; 3. That the applicant is a natural born or a fully naturalized citizen of the United States; 4. That the applicant, prior to use of or carrying any firearms, has satisfactorily demonstrated to a designated representative of the director of police services that he or she possesses satisfactory proficiency and qualifications for the use and/or carrying of firearms. B. The provisions of subsection (A)(4) of this section shall not apply to any person who is given a limited special police officer permit. C. The director of police services is authorized to impose a fee not to exceed $15.00 for the testing of such applicants as to firearms qualification. D. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section shall be the basis for revocation, in the discretion of the director of police services, of commissions previously issued. E. Any person applying for a special police officer commission whose application has been processed satisfactorily, except that he or she has not completed the provisions of subsection (A)(4) of this section, may be issued a limited special police officer commission pending his or her completion of provisions of subsection (A)(4) of this section. (Code 1967, § 30-32; Code 1985, § 28-35; Ord. No. 498, § 6, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 536, § 1, 8-26-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 3, 7-13-1971; Ord. No. 1714, § 2, 5-8-1973)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-6 Standards applicable to employees.

Sec. 2-30-6. - Standards applicable to employees. All persons who are to be employed as special police officers by any person having or applying for a permit under this chapter shall meet the standards set forth in this chapter, and violation of such standards shall be an additional ground for revocation of the commission and permit of the employer. (Code 1967, § 30-33; Code 1985, § 28-36; Ord. No. 498, § 7, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 4, 7-13-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-7 Conditions of commission.

Sec. 2-30-7. - Conditions of commission. The following conditions shall apply to all commissions: A. No special police officer or limited special police officer appointed under this chapter shall perform duty for any person other than the one for whom or which he or she is appointed. B. Commissions issued under this chapter shall be subject to revocation or suspension by the director of police services for violation of any of the provisions or of the rules and regulations issued under this chapter or misconduct by the permit holder or his or her employees, after reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard has been given the permit holder. C. Commissions or permits issued hereunder shall not be transferable. D. No special police officer or limited special police officer shall perform duties for any person in connection with any election on election day, except upon employment by the county election commission. E. In carrying out the duties of special police officer or limited special police officer which is for the purpose of guarding property, no such officer shall go upon the premises or grounds of a polling place on election day. F. No special police officer or limited special police officer when exercising his or her privilege of voting may wear his or her uniform or carry his or her firearms, if authorized, while exercising the privilege of voting. G. Violation of the subsections of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 1-24-1. (Code 1967, § 30-34; Code 1985, § 28-37; Ord. No. 498, § 8, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 5, 7-13-1971; Ord. No. 2131, § 1, 10-1-1974)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-8 Bond of special officers.

Sec. 2-30-8. - Bond of special officers. A. All special police officers and limited special police officers appointed shall be required to give the following bond in the penal sum of $500.00: STATE OF TENNESSEE, SHELBY COUNTY, CITY OF MEMPHIS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That we, _______, as principal, and _______ as his surety, are held and firmly bound unto the Mayor of the City of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, in the penal sum of five hundred and no/100 dollars, for the payment whereof well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves respectively and our respective heirs. Signed this _____ day of ________, 20___. The condition of the above bond is such that, whereas the above bounden _______ has been duly appointed by the director of fire and police of the City of Memphis to be special police officer or limited special police officer upon the premises or property of _______ (or within the area appointed by) _______ during the pleasure of the said director of fire and police. Now if the said _______ shall well and truly and faithfully perform and fulfill, according to law, all and singular the duties of the said office for the said term, then the said bond is null and void; otherwise, it is to remain in full force and virtue. ___________ (Seal) ___________ (Seal) ___________ (Seal) B. Employees of the city, including, but not limited to, employees of the Memphis Park Commission, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, fire services division, sanitation division, transportation department, city and county health department, and board of education, Memphis city schools, shall not be required to provide or give the above described bond. (Code 1967, § 30-35; Code 1985, § 28-38; Ord. No. 498, § 9, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 6, 7-13-1971; Ord. No. 1507, § 1, 10-31-1972)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-9 Oath.

Sec. 2-30-9. - Oath. All special police officers and limited special police officers shall be required to take the following oath: STATE OF TENNESSEE CITY OF MEMPHIS SHELBY COUNTY I, _______, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, the laws and ordinances of the City of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and that I will faithfully demean myself while in office of special police officer or limited special police officer. So help me God. Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of________, 20___. _______ (Code 1967, § 30-35.1; Code 1985, § 28-39; Ord. No. 498, § 10, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 7, 7-13-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-10 Powers.

Sec. 2-30-10. - Powers. Special police officers and limited special police officers appointed under the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of policing, watching and guarding the premises and property of persons shall have the same power and authority upon the property or premises which they are appointed to police as the regular police officers of the city, but not otherwise; provided that, limited special police officers shall not be authorized to carry firearms on duty. (Code 1967, § 30-35.2; Code 1985, § 28-40; Ord. No. 498, § 11, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 8, 7-13-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-11 Promulgation of regulations by director of police services.

Sec. 2-30-11. - Promulgation of regulations by director of police services. The director of police services, subject to the approval of the city council, has the authority to establish and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for the operation of special police officers and limited special police officers in the interest of public safety, morals and welfare and to effectuate the general purpose of this chapter. (Code 1967, § 30-35.3; Code 1985, § 28-41; Ord. No. 498, § 12, 7-8-1969; Ord. No. 985, § 9, 7-13-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-30-12 Exemptions from provisions.

Sec. 2-30-12. - Exemptions from provisions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to unarmed employees of the owner or lessee of the premises or property being leased, watched or guarded. (Code 1967, § 35.5; Code 1985, § 28-42; Ord. No. 2910, § 1, 8-21-1979)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2AD_CH2-30SPPOOFFetched: 10/28/2026