Ford Passes Unarmed Security Guard Licensing Legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House last week unanimously passed a bill that would require the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) to issue a license within 45 days to employ unarmed security guards.

Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, is the House author of Senate Bill 80, which would require CLEET to issue the license within 45 days to any unarmed employee of a licensed security guard agency who has completed training and submitted a completed license application to the council.

“This bill will allow these employees to get to work while they wait for their final license,” Ford said. “This is good for the employee, good for the companies that hire them and good for public safety.”

Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso is the principal author of the bill.

“SB 80 is a pro-business bill that will help both security companies and prospective employees,” Dossett said.  “Many individuals might like to apply for an unarmed security guard job, but don’t have the ability to pay for the required training or can’t go without a paycheck until they complete that training.  This will enable security companies to hire those individuals and then allow them to complete the mandatory CLEET training, which the company may pay for.” 

SB80 has been sent to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law.

Ross Ford, a Republican, serves District 76 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of Tulsa County.