Preston council repeals local private‑investigator/security‑guard licensing ordinance

The Preston City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2024‑8 on a motion by Councilmember Chris Larson to repeal chapter 5.36 of the Preston Municipal Code, which had required a separate city license and background check for private investigators and security guards.

City staff said the police department lacks the credentialing capacity to run the rare, specialized background checks required by the ordinance and that state law already covers impersonation and many conduct concerns. Lyle Fuller, speaking to the council, recommended deleting the chapter, saying, “I think we'd be wise and prudent to either pair it back substantially or just as … to delete the entirety of chapter 5.36 investigators and security guards.”

Filling in for the absent chief, Kyler Stoker told council members the ordinance contains nothing the department needs to manage and that “there's state statute that cover anything that would be concerning the impersonation of a police officer.” The council dispensed with the usual three‑reading requirement and the city clerk read a summary of the ordinance before the vote.

City Clerk Lynn Hancock read the ordinance summary, which describes the measure as repealing chapter 36 of Title 5 in its entirety and providing an effective date. The council then approved the ordinance without dissent.

Council members said the change will allow private investigators to be licensed through the ordinary business‑licensing process rather than a separate municipal vetting procedure. The ordinance summary states the repeal is intended to remove local duplicative requirements and to align licensing with state and business practices.

The council moved into other agenda business after adopting the ordinance; an executive session followed to address personnel and potential litigation matters.