Texas and International Fugitive Tracking and Apprehension Services
Texas Department Of Public Safety License A16879
1) Can we carry our Hand guns, while doing a fugitive recovery case? - if not, what kind of licensing do we need? (Level 3 - 4 security officers?)
YOU CAN CARRY A WEAPON IF YOU HAVE A CHL AND YOUR WEAPON IS CONCEALED AND YOU ARE IN PLAIN CLOTHES. YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED AND CAN NOT CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON AS PART OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT AS A P.I. BECAUSE DPS PSB DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THIS AS A CLASS A COMPANY.
YOU CAN CARRY A WEAPON IF YOU ARE A LEVEL 3 SECURITY OFFICER AND YOU ARE WEARING A DISTINCTIVE UNIFORM. THE UNIFORMED PERSON MUST BE EMPLOYED AND WORKING FOR A LICENSED GUARD COMPANY CONTRACTED TO DO THE APPREHENSION BY THE SURETY. IN OTHER WORDS YOU CAN NOT HIRE A COMMISSIONED OFFICER TO DO APPREHENSIONS IN UNIFORM UNLESS YOU CONTRACT WITH THEIR EMPLOYER (LICENSED COMPANY) AND THEY CARRY THE APPROPIATE INSURANCE FOR FUGITIVE APPREHENSION.
2) Can we carry our Tasers while doing a fugitive recovery case? - if not what kind of licensing do we need?
YOU CAN CARRY TASERS THERE ARE NO CURRENT RESTRICTIONS OR REQUIREMENTS TO DO SO THAT WE CAN FIND BUT DPS SAYS FOR ANY WEAPON YOU CARRY WHETHER OR NOT THEY LICENSE OR REGULATE IT YOU NEED TO HAVE FORMAL TRAINING ON THAT WEAPON SO I WOULD TAKE A CLASS AND SUBMIT THE TRAINING CERTS TO DPS SO THEY HAVE IT ON FILE. YES A TASER IS CONSIDERD A WEAPON, SO IS PEPPER SPRAY.
3) Our vests have "Fugitive Enforcement" Can we have that on our vest? (several people tell us that it is a felony to wear Enforcement) if not, can we have Fugitive Recovery? or what is the appropriate term to have in our vest to identify us?
THIS IS COVERD BY THE PSB - No license shall display a badge, shoulder patch, logo or any other identification which contains the words “Law Enforcement” and/or similar word (s) including, but not limited to: agent, enforcement agent, detective, task force, fugitive recovery agent or any other combination of names which gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with the Federal government, State government or any political subdivision of a State government.
NOT SURE HOW ELSE TO EXPLAIN THIS, IT IS VERY CLEAR TO US THAT YOU CAN NOT USE THE WORDS FUGITIVE RECOVERY ON YOUR VEST OR BADGE OR ANY COMBINATION OF ANY OF THE WORDS LISTED. WE USE BAIL BOND APPREHENSION. IN FACT THIS RULE GOES SO FAR AS TO SAY ANY WORDS "WHICH GIVES THE IMPRESSION". THIS LEAVES THIS ENTIRE RULE OPEN FOR DEBATE AND SUBJECTIVE AT BEST. JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO LOOK LIKE SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT. IF YOU END UP IN COURT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE EXACTLY HOW THE WORDS YOU ARE USING WERE MENT TO BE PERCIEVED AND IT BETTER BE GOOD. YOU COULD ALWAYS USE BOUNTY HUNTER. THIS RULE GOES ON TO SAY YOU MAY IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS BEING A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BAIL BOND COMPANY OR SURETY. AGAIN SUBJECTIVE. BE SMART.
4) if we know that a defendant is inside of the house because we can see him through a window etc. Can we enter the residence? or do we have to get a warrant?
YOU CAN NEVER ENTER A RESIDENCE WITHOUT PERMISSION EVEN IF YOU KNOW AND CAN SEE THE DEFENDANT. YOU MUST GET PERMISSION FROM AN OCCUPANT TO ENTER A RESIDENCE. SORRY, IF YOU ARE SURE THEY ARE IN THERE YOU SHOULD CALL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TRY TO CONVINCE THEM TO HELP YOU GET YOUR SKIP. OTHERWISE SETUP OUTSIDE AND WAIT. TO GET A WARRANT FOR ENTRY IS GOING TO PROVE VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE IN MOST CASES THOUGH WE HAVE DONE IT ONCE, IT IS COMPLICATED BUT BASICALY YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SWORN STATEMENT EXPLAINING TO A JUDGE THAT YOU HAVE 1ST HAND KNOWLEDGE THAT A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE IS CURRENTLY OCCUPYING A RESIDENCE. THE JUDGE CAN THEN ISSUE A 3RD PARTY WARRANT FOR ENTRY. BUT AGAIN THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN VERY OFTEN IF AT ALL. IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO DO.
5) Lastly, when we apprehend someone for example in Houston after missing bail in Dallas, do we have to turn him in to the Houston Authority? or can we transfer him back to Dallas? (we dont want to be kidnapping anyone)
YOU HAVE TO TURN THE PERSON IN AT THE COUNTY JAIL YOU ARRESTED THEM IN. IT IS A STATE JAIL FELONY TO DO OTHERWISE. YOU CAN NOT TRANSPORT TO ANOTHER COUNTY. THIS IS TRICKY BECAUSE SOME (ALOT) OF JAILS WONT TAKE THEM FROM YOU. BE SURE TO CALL THE COUNTY WHERE YOU THINK THEY ARE AND ASK WHAT THE PROCEDURE IS FOR THAT COUNTY. USE LAW ENFORCEMENT WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO TRANSPORT.
YOU SHOULD LEARN ABOUT EXTRADITION RULES, COUNTY POLICIES AND BE SURE THE WARRANT YOU ARE WORKING IS IN THE TCIC SYSTEM. IN MOST CASES IF IT IS THE COUNTY YOU ARREST IN WILL TAKE THE DEFENDANT OFF YOUR HANDS. NOT ALL WARRANTS ARE EXTRADITE-ABLE EVEN FELONY WARRANTS ARE SOMETIMES RESTRICTED. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
I HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BUT YOU WILL NEED TO EMAIL ME FOR IT. I DONT WANT TO GIVE AWAY TO MANY TIPS, THERE MIGHT BE A DEFENDANT OR TWO SNOOPING AROUND.
YOU CAN CARRY A WEAPON IF YOU HAVE A CHL AND YOUR WEAPON IS CONCEALED AND YOU ARE IN PLAIN CLOTHES. YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED AND CAN NOT CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON AS PART OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT AS A P.I. BECAUSE DPS PSB DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THIS AS A CLASS A COMPANY.
YOU CAN CARRY A WEAPON IF YOU ARE A LEVEL 3 SECURITY OFFICER AND YOU ARE WEARING A DISTINCTIVE UNIFORM. THE UNIFORMED PERSON MUST BE EMPLOYED AND WORKING FOR A LICENSED GUARD COMPANY CONTRACTED TO DO THE APPREHENSION BY THE SURETY. IN OTHER WORDS YOU CAN NOT HIRE A COMMISSIONED OFFICER TO DO APPREHENSIONS IN UNIFORM UNLESS YOU CONTRACT WITH THEIR EMPLOYER (LICENSED COMPANY) AND THEY CARRY THE APPROPIATE INSURANCE FOR FUGITIVE APPREHENSION.
2) Can we carry our Tasers while doing a fugitive recovery case? - if not what kind of licensing do we need?
YOU CAN CARRY TASERS THERE ARE NO CURRENT RESTRICTIONS OR REQUIREMENTS TO DO SO THAT WE CAN FIND BUT DPS SAYS FOR ANY WEAPON YOU CARRY WHETHER OR NOT THEY LICENSE OR REGULATE IT YOU NEED TO HAVE FORMAL TRAINING ON THAT WEAPON SO I WOULD TAKE A CLASS AND SUBMIT THE TRAINING CERTS TO DPS SO THEY HAVE IT ON FILE. YES A TASER IS CONSIDERD A WEAPON, SO IS PEPPER SPRAY.
3) Our vests have "Fugitive Enforcement" Can we have that on our vest? (several people tell us that it is a felony to wear Enforcement) if not, can we have Fugitive Recovery? or what is the appropriate term to have in our vest to identify us?
THIS IS COVERD BY THE PSB - No license shall display a badge, shoulder patch, logo or any other identification which contains the words “Law Enforcement” and/or similar word (s) including, but not limited to: agent, enforcement agent, detective, task force, fugitive recovery agent or any other combination of names which gives the impression that the bearer is in any way connected with the Federal government, State government or any political subdivision of a State government.
NOT SURE HOW ELSE TO EXPLAIN THIS, IT IS VERY CLEAR TO US THAT YOU CAN NOT USE THE WORDS FUGITIVE RECOVERY ON YOUR VEST OR BADGE OR ANY COMBINATION OF ANY OF THE WORDS LISTED. WE USE BAIL BOND APPREHENSION. IN FACT THIS RULE GOES SO FAR AS TO SAY ANY WORDS "WHICH GIVES THE IMPRESSION". THIS LEAVES THIS ENTIRE RULE OPEN FOR DEBATE AND SUBJECTIVE AT BEST. JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO LOOK LIKE SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT. IF YOU END UP IN COURT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE EXACTLY HOW THE WORDS YOU ARE USING WERE MENT TO BE PERCIEVED AND IT BETTER BE GOOD. YOU COULD ALWAYS USE BOUNTY HUNTER. THIS RULE GOES ON TO SAY YOU MAY IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS BEING A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BAIL BOND COMPANY OR SURETY. AGAIN SUBJECTIVE. BE SMART.
4) if we know that a defendant is inside of the house because we can see him through a window etc. Can we enter the residence? or do we have to get a warrant?
YOU CAN NEVER ENTER A RESIDENCE WITHOUT PERMISSION EVEN IF YOU KNOW AND CAN SEE THE DEFENDANT. YOU MUST GET PERMISSION FROM AN OCCUPANT TO ENTER A RESIDENCE. SORRY, IF YOU ARE SURE THEY ARE IN THERE YOU SHOULD CALL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TRY TO CONVINCE THEM TO HELP YOU GET YOUR SKIP. OTHERWISE SETUP OUTSIDE AND WAIT. TO GET A WARRANT FOR ENTRY IS GOING TO PROVE VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE IN MOST CASES THOUGH WE HAVE DONE IT ONCE, IT IS COMPLICATED BUT BASICALY YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SWORN STATEMENT EXPLAINING TO A JUDGE THAT YOU HAVE 1ST HAND KNOWLEDGE THAT A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE IS CURRENTLY OCCUPYING A RESIDENCE. THE JUDGE CAN THEN ISSUE A 3RD PARTY WARRANT FOR ENTRY. BUT AGAIN THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN VERY OFTEN IF AT ALL. IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO DO.
5) Lastly, when we apprehend someone for example in Houston after missing bail in Dallas, do we have to turn him in to the Houston Authority? or can we transfer him back to Dallas? (we dont want to be kidnapping anyone)
YOU HAVE TO TURN THE PERSON IN AT THE COUNTY JAIL YOU ARRESTED THEM IN. IT IS A STATE JAIL FELONY TO DO OTHERWISE. YOU CAN NOT TRANSPORT TO ANOTHER COUNTY. THIS IS TRICKY BECAUSE SOME (ALOT) OF JAILS WONT TAKE THEM FROM YOU. BE SURE TO CALL THE COUNTY WHERE YOU THINK THEY ARE AND ASK WHAT THE PROCEDURE IS FOR THAT COUNTY. USE LAW ENFORCEMENT WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO TRANSPORT.
YOU SHOULD LEARN ABOUT EXTRADITION RULES, COUNTY POLICIES AND BE SURE THE WARRANT YOU ARE WORKING IS IN THE TCIC SYSTEM. IN MOST CASES IF IT IS THE COUNTY YOU ARREST IN WILL TAKE THE DEFENDANT OFF YOUR HANDS. NOT ALL WARRANTS ARE EXTRADITE-ABLE EVEN FELONY WARRANTS ARE SOMETIMES RESTRICTED. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
I HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BUT YOU WILL NEED TO EMAIL ME FOR IT. I DONT WANT TO GIVE AWAY TO MANY TIPS, THERE MIGHT BE A DEFENDANT OR TWO SNOOPING AROUND.
While digging through some old emails I found that many people asking questions are asking pretty much the same quations so I thougt we would create a FAQ page. These are common questions we get and some of our responses.
Keep in mind the responses are just our opinion and how we think the rule or law applies, it is not legal advise. You should do plenty of research to make sure your questions are answered by a real expert.
THESE ARE JUST OUR OPINIONS DO NOT USE THIS INFORMATION AS LEGAL ADVISE
Keep in mind the responses are just our opinion and how we think the rule or law applies, it is not legal advise. You should do plenty of research to make sure your questions are answered by a real expert.
THESE ARE JUST OUR OPINIONS DO NOT USE THIS INFORMATION AS LEGAL ADVISE