Liability Forces New Rules to Change Private Police

Issue of Liability at Stake, Police Say

by Jennifer Greenup
QueenCityForum.com Magazine

Cincinnati Private Police Association could still face legal changes in the way they do business in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Police Department’s Asst. Chief Vince Demasi said Friday that CPD has not dropped the rule changes that will stop private security companies from using the word “police” on their uniforms, badges, vehicles, letterheads and advertisements.

The new rule changes are intended to bring Cincinnati’s laws in line with Ohio laws in order to protect the City for lawsuits said Demasi.

“It’s a liability issue,” said Demasi. “It could open the City up to litigation. The citizen’s safety is our primary goal.” However, Demasi said that there may be exceptions made for companies who are already provide such in Cincinnati.

“We are looking at grandfathering these guys in,” said Demasi. “It’s still in the discussion stage
at this point.”

Asst. Chief David Boehm of Queen City Private Police said that according to the current rules each private police officer must have at least $1 million in liability insurance.

Cincinnati City Council’s Law and Public Safety Committee’s will address this issue again at its May 23 meeting.