Porterville police, state rules shape options for dispensary security plans

The Porterville Cannabis Committee on Jan. 12 discussed security requirements for retail cannabis development agreements and received a detailed briefing from Police Chief Costello on state regulatory requirements.

Staff read the development-agreement security clause stating that "owner shall employ properly trained and licensed third party security personnel" and that "security personnel may be armed so long as property licensing and insurance requirements are followed and met by a third party operator." Committee members asked whether dispensary employees could provide security instead of a contracted firm.

Chief Costello told the committee that state regulations (Department of Cannabis Control and the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, BSIS) impose specific licensing and training requirements for security personnel. He summarized requirements described on state guidance: guards or staff providing security generally must be at least 21, obtain a security guard card or PPSO registration, pass DOJ and FBI criminal-history checks, complete required training and obtain BSIS authorization. Chief Costello said the Department of Cannabis Control requires mandatory reporting of incidents and that businesses must comply with state cannabis security regulations.

The police chief and staff said local ordinance language can require that any owner-employed security meet all state licensing, insurance and training requirements. One committee member said they would not oppose allowing dispensary staff to provide security if the individuals "met all of those requirements." Staff also noted that each dispensary'specific security plan is reviewed by the police chief as part of the development-agreement process and that each development agreement is adopted by ordinance.

No change to the development-agreement security clause was adopted at the meeting. Staff said they will prepare ordinance language reflecting the committee's direction and continue to require police review of project security plans.