As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
PRIVATE DETECTIVE
Includes any person who engages in business or who accepts employment
for hire, fee or reward to furnish or supply information as to the personal
character or actions or identity or business activities of any person; to
inquire into unsolved crimes; to engage in clandestine surveillance; to search
for missing persons; or to search for lost or stolen property; provided that
"private detective" shall not include within its meaning a detective or officer
belonging to the law enforcement agencies of the United States or of any state,
county or city, nor someone employed and performing services exclusively for
a single employer.
The Town Council, upon being satisfied that the applicant's licensing
will not be detrimental to the public safety or welfare, may grant the application;
and the Town Clerk shall thereupon issue the license upon payment of fees
required by this chapter and filing of a bond as hereinafter required; provided
that no license shall be issued to any person who:
A. Has been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony; or
B. Has been convicted of two or more misdemeanors involving
moral turpitude (unless the Council determines that the applicant has been
rehabilitated); or
C. Has been denied a private investigator's license
or registration, or had such license or registration revoked, by the valid
action of any local licensing authority; or
D. Has been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction
to be incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease, unless said court
has subsequently determined that his or her competency has been restored;
or
E. Suffers from habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction
or dependency; or
F. Does not have:
(1) At least five years' experience as an investigator
or as a police officer with a state, county or municipal police department
or with an investigative agency of the United States of America or of any
state, county or municipality; or
(2) A degree in criminal justice from an accredited college
or university; or
(3) At least five years' experience as an investigator
working for a licensed private detective; or
(4) Substantially equivalent training or experience.
Any license issued in accordance with the provision of this chapter shall be for a term of one year and may be renewed annually, subject to the payment of the appropriate fee as established by this chapter and subject to §
230-11 hereof. At the time of such renewal the Chief of Police shall conduct such investigation and make such recommendation as provided in §
230-4 hereof.
No license under this chapter shall be issued or renewed until the applicant pays to the Town Clerk a license fee as provided in Chapter
368, Fees.
Every person licensed hereunder shall be given a permanent license number
and shall be issued an identification card which shall be approximately 2 1/2
inches wide and 3 1/2 inches long and shall bear thereupon the number
assigned to the licensee, the full name, date of birth, residence address,
brief description of the licensee, his fingerprints and photograph, a space
upon which the licensee shall write his usual signature with pen and ink,
or a facsimile of such signature and the expiration date of such license.
The transfer or assignment of any license issued hereunder is hereby
expressly prohibited.
Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 nor
more than $500, or by imprisonment in the adult correctional institutions
for not more than six months, or by both such fine and such imprisonment;
but nothing herein contained shall apply to a detective of another state coming
within this state in the performance of his or her duties for a temporary
period and on a specific matter.