From the Desk of Dr. Jerry McGlasson, TCPS Executive Director

I have had occasion to assist numerous individuals during my brief tenure as Director with getting all pocket cards and their company license to expire at the same time. It has been suggested that I explain the process for accomplishing this task. Section 1702.304 permits the agency to devise a method of merging all dates to ensure that only once per year (or for pocket cards, once each two years) will you be required to renew licenses issued by this agency.

Section 304 is, as you would expect, vague on exactly how TCPS is to accomplish this task. We therefore prefer that you send me a fax at (512) 447-5051 listing each of the pocket cards you wish to have coincide with the expiration of your wall license and the date each card/license expires. Please include the wall license number on the fax. A xerox of each card you are attempting to move the expiration date for would also be of help to us. We will advise you by return fax, the cost of changing the dates on all submissions and request that you attach a copy of the fax to the renewal applications. Boys and girls, please don�t try this at home. It should only be done by a professional driver on a closed course. In other words, let us tell you the exact cost. Do not �guess�.

Chairman Ben C. Nix, has appointed an AdHoc Committee, chaired by Commissioner Mike Samulin, to review all rules and prepare a report for the December meeting detailing what changes they recommend the Commission enact for 2002 and beyond. The recommendations of the revision/reorganization report will be posted on the website as soon as they are released by the Committee. One representative each from guards, investigators, and alarms is assisting with this revision. The new format proposed will, we believe, greatly assist you in knowing exactly which rule you are using by checking the revision date on each rule. I have seen a 1st draft and am impressed with the improvements in the rule format this group is making.

TCPS Tentative Commission Meetings

• March 6, 2001

• June 21, 2001

• September 18, 2001

• December 4, 2001

TCPS Results of Commission

Commission Meeting - June 21, 2001

Commissioners present were JESS ANN THOMASON, JACOB MONTY, MIKE SCOTT,MATTHEW WASHINGTON, CHARLENE RICHEY, MICHAEL SAMULIN and JIM BRAY. Jess Ann chaired until George Craig arrived. Ben Nix was out of town.

Jess Ann Thomason and Matthew Washington, retiring after this meeting, will be presented an Award for their time served on the Commission. The two new commissioners, Cephus S. Rhodes (Dusty) and Linda J. Sadler, will be sworn in before the end of the meeting.

The minutes from the September 8th, 199 thru December 11, 2000 were approved.

The Chief of Information Services reported on the progress being made on the new computer program.

Dr. McGlasson, Executive Director, reported various staff changes in the Austin and Houston offices. He also reported on the improvements to the computer program whereby in May they have processed 7026 applications and by September of this year they could be caught up on the backlog. He also reported the web site is back up and improved greatly. One of the new features is that you can research a licensed name to check if they have been previously rejected by the Commission, with just part of the name. The program will research and pull up every listing on that name, complete or not. He further advised the Commissioners that they are in negotiation to acquire additional space at their present location by using the facilities currently being used by a church next to them. This would provide the additional space needed for a meeting and educational facility. All that is needed is State approval.

The Director discussed the policy change #2001-01 regarding Guidelines for summary suspension on Class B misdemeanors. He stated there are over 2300 Class B misdemeanors in the Texas Laws. There are too many that have nothing to do with our industry that keep people from getting a license. The proposed change would narrow down to 23 the Class B misdemeanors that would affect the granting of a license (list to be provided on Web as soon as possible) and is in effect as of this date.

The following proposed rules will be voted on at the September Commission meeting:

RULE 425.4(e) regarding proposed revision of standards of conduct was mentioned to the Commissioners dealing with qualification with a firearm. This rule clarifies the classification of firearm carried.

RULE 425.33 dealt with Service of Notice. This minor change was to bring the Commission into compliance with other agencies as to service of notice to registrants. It requires registrants to notify the Agency of a residence address change within 14 days of such change.

RULE 45.80 was discussed regarding a proposed revision of the Manager's test. This would allow an open book test. The Director said it was more important for managers to know where to look up rules than to memorize them. He said the Rule book would be provided by the test giver at the time of testing.

RULE 430.55 The change being sought will require all applicants or renewals for consultants to comply with tighter requirements as found in Sections 1702.110, 1702.113, 1702.117 and 1702.124.

RULE 446.25 A change is needed to tighten up a loophole regarding Alarm Installers and their Continuing Education requirements. As it is now, an installer can be fired after 23 months of employment, and hired the following day thus avoiding the continuing education requirement.

RULE 448.15 Limited Reciprocal Agreement with Oklahoma and Louisiana concerning Private Investigators. At the present time, those states honor our license for a limited time but we do not have a way to honor theirs.

RULE 430.50 Uniform Requirements is a change to a compromise with the lobby that is trying to enable Reserve Officers to work Private Security jobs. The problem is if they work for a licensed company, they cannot wear their Reserve uniform. This change would allow them to wear their reserve uniform if the client requests and the Chief of their agency gave them a signed letter giving permission.

Note:  The information above was obtained from notes taken and may not be totally correct.  Please use this information as a guideline only as to the way in which ASSIST interpreted it.

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