Cut-Tex™ PRO is a groundbreaking combination of high-tenacity, high-modulus polyethylene fibres – combined with several other “technical fibres” – weaved by special high-density knitting machines, resulting in an outstanding cut and slash resistant clothing and fabric.

For additional information, please see this important documentation and video by clicking here.

PPSS Body Armour, the company which produces UK Home Office certified body armour and stab vests for clients around the globe, says its Cut-Tex™ PRO could be the world’s best, which is reinforced by passing the stringent British and European blade cut resistant standard 388 6.2 Level 5 – the highest level possible for textiles or protective gloves.

The CEO of PPSS Robert Kaiser said: “The potential applications for our world-beating knife, bite and slash resistant clothing is endless. Already there has been a huge amount of interest in Cut-Tex™ PRO from countries all over the World, especially those countries experiencing extremely hot summer months.

“PPSS Body Armour specialises in developing unique, bespoke knife protective clothing for local government, law enforcement, emergency services, prison service, hospital staff, schools and private security companies around the world.

“With Cut-Tex™ PRO, we now have a slash and cut resistant textile that is incredibly lightweight and breathable, and we have already been able to manufacture a number of bespoke slash resistant items, all using this great new fabric as inner or outer layer:

• Slash resistant sweatshirts for prison officers, security professionals and factory workers for one of the world’s leading metal pressing companies.
• Slash resistant sleeves for professional working within the field of ‘challenging behaviour’ or ‘special needs’.
• Slash resistant boiler suits for high security mental health hospitals and prison’s ‘first response units’.
• Slash-resistant work trousers for refuse collectors
• Slash resistant gloves for security professionals, law enforcement and emergency services.

“BS EN 388:2003 Level 5 is the highest level you can achieve for testing knife, bite and slash resistant clothing or cut resistant gloves and our high performance fabric Cut-Tex™ PRO has passed this protection level with flying colours. This is why we believe it is only a matter of time before our Cut-Tex™ PRO slash resistant clothing saves a human life.

“‘Prevention is better than cure’ and ‘better safe than sorry’ are two sayings which make more sense within personal safety than anywhere else.

“Issuing knife and slash resistant clothing can mean preventing potentially fatal injuries.”

Please call PPSS Body Armour in the UK on +44 (0) 845 5193 953, email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com

“The New Hampshire League of Investigators (NHLI) is proud to announce that House Bill 651, a bill relative to regulation of private investigation agencies and security services (The NH PI Bill) passed both the House and Senate on June 2nd and is on the way to the Governor for signature.

The bill was the result of years of hard work dating back to 2004/2005 by the members of NHLI, the NH Department of Safety, (especially Assistant Commissioner Earl M. Sweeney who did yeoman’s work along side NHLI members), and other municipal and private agencies. We would also like to acknowledge all the New England states PI associations (NECOSIA) and NALI for their input and letters supporting the bill and to Kitty Hailey, CLI, CFE (http://www.kittyhailey.com/ ) who authored a great letter for the House and Senate committees.

NHLI members attended every work session and hearing, networked with their Representatives and Senators and did everything to assist in getting the bill through.

A special thank you goes to State Representative Jordan Ulery who authored the original 2005 bill and the current bill and steered it through the process. Representative Ulery is a licensed private investigator and and member of the NHLI.

Highlights of the bill include:

• The creation of an advisory board with three positions to be filled by NH licensed PIs.
• Replaces the term “detective agencies” with “private investigative agencies.”
• Brings bail enforcement agencies and agents under the law.
• Excludes certain professionals from the law.
• Makes performing covered services without a license either a misdemeanor of felony depending on the circumstances. Fines are to be determined at a later date.
• Adds certifications from the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) or the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) as a requirement for some applicants.
• Licenses employees of agencies individually and issues them ID cards.
• For those obtaining an “armed” license defines training for both handgun and shotgun.
• Protects license holders when reporting crimes in good faith.”

The link to the bill is: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB0651.html

Alan

Alan Tate
Licensed Professional Investigator
METRO Investigation
PO Box 850309
Boston MA 02185-0309

OFC 617-773-4641
FAX 617-472-7968

MA License P-726
NH License 55091

President, Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts, 2000-2001 and 2007-2008
Director, New Hampshire League of Investigators
Legislative Chair, NHLI
President, New England Council of State Investigator Associations, 2007

Member:
Licensed Private Detectives Association of Rhode Island
Vermont Association of Investigators and Security Service
Maine Licensed Private Investigators Association
Investigative & Security Professionals for Legislative Action
National Council of Investigation and Security Services

The U.S. Secret Service, backed up by three studies over a period of 15 years and published in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (3/06), indentified the following visual cues indicating a person may be carrying a concealed weapon:

Behavioral Traits

In all three aforementioned studies, none of the criminal offenders interviewed used a holster and male offenders reported regularly carrying handguns in the middle torso area; more specifically they tended to tuck the firearm into their right front waistband, between their navel and hip, in order maintain the gun’s accessibility.  One researcher noted that, “They see guns put there in the movies, it’s ‘cool,’ and they can easily show their buddies or enemies that they’re armed.”  One city law enforcement agency conducting their own study noted that of the 1,301 guns confiscated from suspects, only seven of them were wearing holsters.  The second most common hiding place is the small of the back – but it is a distant second place.

Concealed firearms tend to be carried on the person’s “strong side,” which is to say on the same side as their dominant hand.  Is the subject left-handed or right-handed?  Typically, wristwatches are worn on the weak arm and, generally, people use their strong hand for most actions like lighting cigarettes, shoving someone, holding or moving objects, etc.  Even in the absence of confirming visual clues, you can count on approximately 85% of the people in the world being right handed.  Knowing a person’s strong side gives the observer a better chance of locating a hidden gun quickly.

Walking with a concealed, unholstered handgun requires subjects to occasionally touch their firearms to prevent the gun from moving or to adjust the weapon after it moves.  This movement is often referred to by law enforcement instructors as the “security feel” and becomes most notable whenever individuals change body positions, such as standing, sitting, or exiting a car because the unholstered gun tends to shift, causing the subject to adjust or reposition the weapon to the preferred position.  When a subject runs, their actions may appear more pronounced; constantly gripping the handgun to maintain control.

An academy instructor for the U.S. Secret Service uniformed division recently shared the following tip online, “Closely related to the security feel is what I call ‘protective body movement.’ This is particularly noticeable when an armed subject is running or moving abruptly; he holds his arm against the concealed weapon, either stiffly or with a very restrained swing. Even if the suspect is just walking, you may see that he takes a full stride with his opposite-side foot but the gun-side stride will be shorter, almost like a limp in some cases because he’s trying to clamp the gun in place and minimize its slipping or its risk of falling out. The arm may also come in against the gun as a protective movement when people start getting close to the suspect.”

“Watch females who are with bikers and other street gangs,” one police officer cautioned, “many times they carry for the male members, capitalizing on the fact that too many people tend to dismiss females as a threat.”

The studies also concluded that “the majority of female offenders who carried their own weapon preferred small-framed revolvers or automatic pistols. Their preferred place of concealment was in a pocket of their outer clothing, with quick retrieval as their primary concern. Females often carried a weapon for a male companion prior to or after criminal activity. But, interestingly, no female offender reported giving her weapon to anyone to carry for her.”

Basic law enforcement training teaches officers to keep their gun-side away from individuals during street contacts or interviews.  It is widely accepted that armed criminals do the same in encounters with law enforcement professionals to ensure concealment and easy access to their firearms.  As one offender in the study noted, “If they’re on that side of me, they can’t see it. I can also get to it quicker if I need to. Because they can’t see what I’m reaching for, I get that extra second.”

Additional physical behaviors may include “palming,” which is most often observed in subjects concealing edged weapons but occasionally seen with gun wielders, too.  The knife holder may run the blade of the weapon up along the arm or behind the leg to conceal it from frontal view. Just before a target is attacked, an attacker will also typically have his or her eyes fixed on the intended victim.  Palming behaviors often indicate imminent risk to the recovery agent!

I remember one situation in particular when I found a gun in the coat pocket of a fugitive I was chasing through a house that I distinctly heard the sound of the gun hitting a door frame and then coming to rest on a countertop when I had him leaned forward and placing him in handcuffs.  It was obvious by the heavy, solid thud that there was a large metal object in his pocket.

Clothing Indicators

The most obvious giveaway is the telltale bulges in a subject’s clothing.  A gun is not flexible and doesn’t conform well to the shape of the human body, so it may reveal itself in the form of a protrusion.  While the entire firearm may not be outlined, tight clothing may reveal bumps that relate to a hammer, grip or muzzle.  This distortion of the subject’s silhouette is often referred to as “patterning” or “imprinting.”  When trying to conceal a shotgun, rifle or submachine gun under a coat while walking, the butt of the weapon will often cause a noticeable bulge behind the armpit. Additionally, the jacket does not move naturally because it is supported by the outline of the weapon.  When someone wears a shoulder holster or straps on a sawed-off rifle, shotgun or submachine gun under his or her arm, a bulge in front of or behind the armpit will often be visible.

Specific observations regarding a person’s attire may indicate that the individual is armed.  These may include, but are not limited to, what individuals are wearing during various weather conditions, as well as accessory items and unconventional weapons designed and manufactured for concealment that they may carry. Clothing concealment techniques are used by people to hide firearms and other weapon; for example, an un-tucked shirt or buttoned sports jacket are two examples of techniques used to conceal dangerous objects with clothing.  These characteristics may not always be obvious though as casual dress with un-tucked shirts is quite common.  Even though an un-tucked shirt may hide a firearm, in and of itself, it is not a good indicator.  An investigator must judge the concealment characteristics in the context of the environment they are in. With clothing, visual screener need only simply ask, “Does what I see match the surroundings?”

Warm Weather Conditions

Is the individual dressed inappropriately for existing weather and temperature conditions?  A person who attempts to conceal a weapon may wear or carry additional clothing other than that which is required or appropriate considering the outside temperature and humidity.  This suspicious behavior is particularly observable in warm weather.  Why would an individual wear a jacket, sweatshirt, sweater, raincoat, or overcoat on a bright sunny day when others are dressed in short-sleeved shirts?  Is the individual wearing multilayered clothing, such as two shirts or a pair of sweatpants over a pair of jeans, on a hot day?  Similarly, why does a man wearing a shirt and tie, suit pants, and dress shoes have his shirttail hanging out?  Less obvious are individuals in casual attire with their shirttails outside their pants.  Such inappropriate apparel can cover areas of the body where criminals frequently conceal firearms.

Obviously, it is easier visually detect firearms on individuals dressed appropriately for warm weather.  At-risk individuals should look for unnatural protrusions or bulges in the waist, back, and crotch areas and watch for less conspicuous cues, such as shirts that appear rippled or wavy on one side of the body while the fabric on the other side appears smooth.  Many offenders in the three studies revealed that they purposely transported weapons in their crotch areas as much for concealment as the reluctance of officers to thoroughly search this location.

Cold and Inclement Weather Conditions

Are individuals with a coat, raincoat, or jacket draped over their arms unnecessarily exposing themselves to the elements?  What about those wearing a hooded jacket or coat in the rain or snow without the hood covering the head?  One offender stated that he had several friends who carried firearms in their jacket hoods. Does a loose-hanging hood seem weighted down, causing the drawstring to pucker?  Also, in periods of extremely cold weather, why would people not button or zip up their jackets or heavy coats?  Could it be that they want quick access to a firearm?

When individuals have on jackets and coats, are these pieces of clothing visibly weighted to one side, giving the appearance of an unusually heavy object in the pocket?  Normally, personal items such as wallets, keys, and cell phones do not weigh enough to cause a pocket to hang substantially lower than the one on the opposite side– but large caliber guns favored by street thugs typically do.  When the subject walks or runs, does his coat or jacket bounce off his leg as if something heavy is in the pocket?

Accessories and Other Items Carried

In cold weather conditions, individuals may have a hand warmer attached to their clothing or person in some manner.  If these people appear to have been outside for some time, why are their hands not inside the device?  If they have gloves on, why do they need the hand warmer?  Does it exhibit ripples or waves in the fabric, giving the appearance of containing a heavy object?

What about individuals carrying such items as purses, knapsacks, fanny packs, soft briefcases, gym bags, folded-over newspapers, or paper bags that appear out of place?  Do these articles display a protrusion?  Is the outline of the frame of a handgun or a partial contour, such as the barrel or butt, visible?  If a subject seems to have a wallet in his pocket but is wearing a fanny pack, then what’s in the fanny pack?  Does it appear weighted with a heavy object?  Most types of fanny packs can conceal a handgun and many are purposes-built with a draw string or other quick-release closure method added for rapid access to a handgun.

One of the most important concepts of visual weapons screening is behavior clusters; the totality of circumstances will dictate the degree of likelihood of an individual being armed. When evaluating any individual for the possibility of a concealed firearm it is important to take into account their behavior “in context” as well!  Wearing inappropriate clothing could be completely explainable, depending on the circumstances and surroundings. For example, a traveler who just arrived from a colder climate may have on an overcoat on a warm sunny day.  Perhaps, the person has to carry luggage, making it necessary to temporarily wear the coat.  This individual may be near an airport, train terminal, bus station, or subway or in the process of hailing a taxicab.  Under these circumstances, the observation of inappropriate clothing for existing weather conditions probably would not constitute a clear indicator that the person may be concealing a firearm because such behavior could be completely understandable.  Alert investigators, however, may use these indicators as a reason to take a second, closer look and notice a slight bulge or protrusion or other physical behavior trait that confirms their suspicions.

Unconventional Firearms and Disguised Weapons

Fugitive recovery agents need to remain vigilant for a separate class of firearms designed for concealment. Generally constructed without sights, these weapons, referred to as “belly guns,” usually are inaccurate unless fired at a very close range. Manufacturers also have produced handguns and other weapons intentionally disguised as other objects, including pens, pagers, cell phones, belt buckles, and wallets. Thugs have related that they possessed such weapons to use against anyone who may overlook them during arrest or transport situations. The use of a hand-held magnetometer can assist in detecting these types of handguns and other potentially dangerous metal instruments, such as knives and razors.

Click here for a disguised weapons manual circulated among law enforcement professionals.

Click here for a second guide to additional unconventional hidden and concealed weapons.

Click here for real guns disguised as toys.

Studies indicate that there is no reliable profile of the people who carry and use weapons unlawfully; they are white, Latino, Asian every other race and ethnicity. They are male or female. They wear expensive clothing, including tailored suits, and they are from all socioeconomic classes. It is paramount that all subjects under your control, including those of the opposite sex, be searched for concealed weapons using optimum frisking and location techniques. Recovery agents must remain vigilant and constantly remind themselves that a recovery of a weapon from a suspect should never prohibit the continued search of the subject for additional weapons.

Use these tell-tales as a way to make you conscious of your own actions while wearing a concealed weapon as well.  Many investigators who I know carry concealed firearms tend to share many of the same habits, behavior traits and modes of dress discussed in this article. To a knowing individual, you may unconsciously telegraph your armed status in situations where it is best that the presence of a weapon remain concealed such as in an undercover workplace investigation or while conducting field interviews under some pretext.

Knowledge, awareness, clear thinking, and finely honed skills of observation may give investigators an advantage when confronting bail fugitives or their accomplices who may display the specific and unique signals indicating the presence of a firearm or other concealed weapon.  However, the absence of such traits and characteristics should never mean that a bail agent should let his or her guard down while in the presence of the fugitive and his or her associates.  At the end of the day, we all want to go home safely.

Be careful out there.

This article was written by L. Scott Harrell and is posted courtesy IRBseach, LLC.

IRBsearch offers The Most information, The Best data sources, and The Fastest delivery for locating people, businesses, and their assets. With one click you can search billions of records in just a fraction of a second.

The Ultrasonic Dog Chaser is the most humane and safest way to deter unfriendly dogs. Using the latest ultrasonic technology, the Dog Chaser produces a discomforting, but not harmful, high frequency sound that is audible to dogs but not to humans.

This simple, hand-held device will stop the approach of unwanted dogs at up to 20 feet and is easy to use:

Just point the dog-repeller at the animal and press the button.

Most dogs will have an immediate reaction to the sound and will back away but proper and prudent caution should always be maintained in all circumstances involved with an animal who may bite, regardless if you are using this excellent device or not.

The Dog Chaser should be a part of every professional investigator’s gear.  It’s inexpensive, small and easily stows in your glove box or gear bag for ready use.

Side note: I personally used one of these to take the bark out of my neighbor’s dog too… when I finally got fed up with the constant yapping, I started pushing the button every time the dog started barking. It only took a few afternoons and the barking has dramatically improved.

He tells the rancher, “I need to search your ranch for a bail jumper I believe is hiding on your property.”

The rancher says, “Okay, but do not go in that field over there.” as he points out the location.

The fugitive recovery agent verbally explodes saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the Supreme Court and Taylor v Taintor with me.”

Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and shoves it into the rancher’s face.

“See this badge?  This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish… On any land. and in any state where my fugitive may be hiding.  No questions asked or answers given.  Have I made myself clear?  Do you understand? “

The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the bounty hunter running for his life chased by the rancher’s big Santa Gertrudis bull……

With every step the bull is gaining ground on the bail agent, and it seems likely that he’ll get gored to death before he reaches safety.  The agent is clearly terrified. The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs…..

“Your badge.  Show him your BADGE!“

.

Editor’s note: Yes, there is a moral to this otherwise humorous story.

.

Regardless of what type of bond is written, if a $10,000 bond goes into forfeiture then someone is going to be liable for the entire $10,000.

If a surety bond is forfeited, then the bondsman has a special fund (referred to as a BUF or Build Up Fund) to which he must deposit a small portion of every defendant’s premium payment that he can draw from in the event that he or she has to pay a forfeiture; if it is not enough and he or she cannot pay the money from his or her own funds, then the surety company will ultimately pay the difference of the forfeiture judgment and what is in the BUF, no longer allow the bondsman the ability to write bonds with their backing (referred to as a “power” i.e., if a bondsman has a $100,000 power authorized by Banker’s Insurance on file with the county, then he has the ability to have $100,000 of outstanding bail pieces out at any one time backed by Banker’s) and then will probably continue to go after the bondsman for the remaining balance.

If the bond was collateralized by property and it goes into final forfeiture, then the bondsman has to come up with the cash to satisfy the entire judgment or the collateral is seized and liquidated.  If anything is due afterward, then the bondsman is still on the hook.  If the liquidation yields more cash than the bond (and court costs), then the bondsman gets that back.

In most jurisdictions the bondsman can have an outstanding amount of bail at any one time in relation to the value of the collateral; some allow a ratio of 1:1 meaning that if the collateral is worth $100,000 then he can have the same amount posted in outstanding bail.  Most, however, provide ratios as high as 10:1 meaning that if the value of the property is valued at the same $100,000 then he can write up to $1,000,000 in outstanding bonds.  The amount of bail a property bondsman can have outstanding at any particular time is called “availability” (similar to “power” just in a different context).

As defendant’s move through the court system and the bonds are exonerated the power or availability is replenished and the bondsman can write more bonds and collect more premiums (if a surety bond) or writing fees (service fees), in the case of property bonds.  It’s a constant cycle akin to a pipeline; as soon as material moves through the pipe more can be put in.

This article was written by L. Scott Harrell and is posted courtesy IRBseach, LLC.

IRBsearch offers The Most information, The Best data sources, and The Fastest delivery for locating people, businesses, and their assets. With one click you can search billions of records in just a fraction of a second.

Read the original bill here.

This bill has not yet been approved by either the Senate or the House.  I’m not sure how this one is going to go because further analysis by the HFA indicates a budget shortfall of  well over $200,000 to administer the act. Personally, I think that the analysts over estimated the amount of revenue the act will generate by at least 25%, so the shortfall would be higher in my estimation.

From the House Legislative Analysis Section (HFA), Fiscal Analysts  Mark Wolf and Ben Gielczyk:

“A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5536 AND 5537 AS INTRODUCED 10-22-09

House Bill 5536 would create a new scheme for licensing bail bond agents, bail bond runners, and fugitive recovery agents.

House Bill 5536 – Bail Bond Personnel Licensure Act

The bill essentially establishes a specific license for bail agents that must be obtained, (it is assumed), in addition to the existing general insurance law requirements on surety insurance agents.  Currently, there is no specific state law concerning the licensure of bail bond agents.  However, bail bond agents act, in effect, as agents of property and casualty insurers, and therefore must meet the applicable licensing standards for insurance agents.[1]  The bill would also require a license for fugitive recovery agents and bail bond runners.

Bail Bond Agent License Required:  The bill would require surety bail agents to obtain a license from the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR), effective January 1, 2010, in order to engage in the business of a bail agent.[2]  Additionally, the bail agent would have to register with the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO).

For property bail agents, the bill would require, effective January 1, 2010, that they be authorized by an order of the circuit court to engage in business.[3]  Authorization by the court would expire at the end of the calendar year.  Beginning January 1, 2011, property bail agents would have to also be licensed by OFIR and registered with the SCAO, in order to engage in the business of a property bail agent.[4]

Licenses would only be issued on an individual basis.

Use of Titles: A person could not use a title or description giving the impression that he or she is a bail bond agent unless licensed by OFIR and registered with the SCAO.[5]  A violation of this provision would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 91 days imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500 for a first violation, and up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $4,000 for each second or subsequent violation.  A person convicted of a second violation would be permanently disqualified from being issued a bail bond agent license.

Bail Bond Agent Licensure Requirements: To be licensed as a bail bond agent, an individual would have to pass a written examination and be of “good moral character.”[6]  Current bail bond agents – those engaged in business prior to the bill’s effective date – would be exempt from the examination requirement.

Identification: Upon licensure, OFIR would provide each bail bond agent an identification card containing the agent’s photo, name, and other identifying information.  The identification card would have to be carried by the agent when acting as a bail bond agent.  Additionally, each agent would be issued a seal by OFIR that would include the agent’s name, the registration number, the phrase “Bail Bond Agent, State of Michigan” and other information OFIR considers to be necessary.  Bonds and other documents filed by the agent with the court or local law enforcement agent would have to be stamped with the seal.  The seal could not be loaned to another individual, and would have to be return to the state within 7 days after the licensed or registration is revoked, suspended, or canceled.  The penalty for failing to comply with these provisions is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500.

Bail Bond Agent Fees: The bill would establish the following schedule of fees, to defray the costs of OFIR in administering the bill:

Application Processing Fee$35.00
Supplemental Application Processing Fee- $20.00
Examination Fee- $150.00
Examination Review Fee- $25.00

SCAO Registration: The bill would also require licensed bail bond agents to register with the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO).  The SCAO would be required to maintain, and update monthly, a registry of all registered bail bond agents.  The registry would consist of the individual agent’s name, business name and telephone number, the appointing surety, a power of attorney from the surety specifying the agent and the financial limit of the agent’s authority, and the areas in the state where the agent is authorized to engage in business.  For property agents, the registry would have also have to include the name of the counties in which the agent is authorized (by circuit court order) to engage in business.

The registry would be made available to local law enforcement (to make publicly available) on the SCAO’s website (http://courts.michigan.gov/scao). The removal from the registry by the SCAO would occur upon request from OFIR or, for property agents, from a request from an authorizing circuit court.  The bill would also impose on each agent a $40 registration fee to be used to defray the costs of the SCAO in administering the act.

Fugitive Recovery Agents: The bill will would also license “fugitive recovery agents,” defined in the bill to mean a person employed (on a contract or salary basis) by a bail bond agent or surety to enforce the terms and conditions of a defendant’s release from custody on bail in a criminal proceeding, including locating, apprehending, and transporting a defendant.[7]

License Requirements: To be licensed by OFIR as a fugitive recovery agent, a person would have to meet the following criteria:

1. Pass a two-part examination administered by OFIR, with one part testing the applicant’s knowledge of general insurance laws and regulations and the second part testing knowledge of pre-trial release and bonds, SCAO policies regarding bonds, the Michigan court system, the Michigan surety bond forfeiture process, judgments, and the surety’s right to arrest.
2. Hold a conceal pistol license.
3. Have never been convicted of a felony
4. Be of good moral character.

Additionally, an applicant for a fugitive recovery license would also have to successfully complete at least 40 hours of classroom training on applicable state and federal laws and rules and at least 40 hours of field training (weapons safety, use of force, defensive tactics, restraining and detaining individuals).  Individuals that have completed the training required by a municipal, state, or federal law enforcement agent or a branch of the armed forces to act as a peace officer would be exempt from the pre-licensure requirements.  Once licensed as a fugitive recovery agent, individuals would have to certificates on the proper use of Tasers and pepper sprays within 12 months of being licensed.

Violations: A bail bond agent or surety would be prohibited from employing or retaining the services of a fugitive recovery person who has been convicted of a felony.  Violating this provision and the licensure requirement provisions would be would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 91 days imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500 for a first violation, and up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $4,000 for each second or subsequent violation.  A person convicted of a second violation would be permanently disqualified from being issued a bail bond agent license.[8]

Identification: Similar to bail bond agents, OFIR would issue identification cards to licensed fugitive recovery agents, which the agents would have to carry at all times when acting as a fugitive recovery agent.

Fugitive Recovery Agent Fees: The bill would establish the following schedule of fees, to defray the costs of OFIR in administering the bill:

Application Processing Fee- $35.00
Supplemental Application Processing Fee- $20.00
Examination Fee- $150.00
Examination Review Fee- $25.00

Bail Bond Runner License Requirement: In addition, the bill would also require a license to act as a “bail bond runner”, i.e. a person who delivers bail bonds to courts and jails on behalf of a bail bond agent.  A bail bond runner would be appointed by a sponsoring bail bond agent and could perform services only for the sponsoring agent and other bail bond agents employed by the sponsoring agent.  A runner could only be appointed by one sponsoring agent.  An individual acting as a bail bond runner would have to be licensed by OFIR, effective January 1, 2010.

Bail Bond Runner License Requirements: To be licensed as a bail bond runner, an individual would have to be at least 18, a state resident, complete a high school diploma or GED, be able to “competently fulfill the responsibilities of a bail bond runner,” and have no current or prior violations of state insurance or bail bond laws or regulations.  Additionally, the bail bond runner would have to have a current, valid concealed pistol permit (if applicable), or be subject to a criminal history (fingerprint) check.

Prohibited Activities: A bail bond runner could not engage in the business of a bail bond agent or, unless licensed, fugitive recovery agent; countersign bail bond powers of attorney; or possess any power of attorney or similar document unless it contains the bail bond agent’s seal; collect money; take applications for bail; executive bail bonds; or solicit bail bond business.

Bail Bond Runner Application: To be licensed by OFIR, a bail bond runner would have to submit an application.  The application would have to include a written appointment from the sponsoring bail bond agent, and written affidavits from the applicant and the sponsoring agent attesting that the applicant has received training in applicable bail laws and procedures.  The applicant would also have to disclose to OFIR whether he or she has been licensed in another state to act as a bail bond runner and whether the license was ever suspended or revoked.  (If the applicant was licensed elsewhere, the application should also include contact information of the prior bail bond agents for whom the applicant worked.).

Bail Bond Runner Violations: A person who violates the bail bond runner licensure requirements would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 91 days imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500 for a first violation, and up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $4,000 for each second or subsequent violation.  A person convicted of a second violation would be permanently disqualified from being issued a bail bond agent or bail bond runner license.

Bail Bond Runner Fees: The bill would establish the following schedule of fees, to defray the costs of OFIR in administering the bill:

Application Processing Fee- $35.00
Supplemental Application Processing Fee- $20.00
Examination Fee- $150.00
Examination Review Fee- $25.00″

Note- This article updates a series of articles written about Bail Enforcement in Michigan:

Potential New Bail Enforcement Licensing Law in Michigan

Bail Enforcement Licensing in Michigan and the “Professional Investigator Licensure Act”

This article was written by L. Scott Harrell and is posted courtesy IRBseach, LLC.

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“Today the Pennsylvania Association of Bail Professionals stands on the road of a journey already underway.  Pennsylvania’s commercial bail bond industry is in a dynamic state of change.  Proposed changes affect the Department of Insurance, surety companies, bail bond agents, professional bail bondsman, instate bail enforcement agents and bail enforcement agents visiting our Commonwealth with the sole purpose of apprehending fugitives from justice.

Our mission, through an accountable and collaborative effort, is to guide our State’s legislative body through the process of mandating an ethical, regulated and purposeful methodology of ensuring the capture of those individuals that flee our Nation’s Judicial System.  Thereby, returning the accused to their jurisdiction of origin for the purpose of trial by their peers.  By doing so, P.A.B.P. is committed to ensuring our country’s communities be made safer, upholding the rights of every citizen and adhering to the principles dictated by our Founding Fathers.

The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty through the Court’s systematic approach of due process.

Pennsylvania Association of Bail Professionals’ vision is to create a resonating voice within the body of our State’s government.  Through responsible and coordinated efforts with our elected political representatives and the State’s Department of Insurance, surety industry leaders, professional bail bondspeople and the Association’s members, our driving passion is to ensure the future of Pennsylvania’s commercial bail bond profession.  To achieve this goal, the aforementioned alliance will strive to ensure the passage of: evenhanded laws, protocol outlining interaction with law enforcement offices, State regulated Agent certification curriculum taught in approved school houses, mandated on-going training and reciprocity throughout the United States of America.”

We have meetings set up with members of the Senate and House coming in mid January. If you have not gone to www.paobp.org to download a application and set your dues in please do so. Legal fees are around the corner that must be paid to advance our cause.

Learn more about the Pennsylvania Association of Bail Professionals via their website-  http://paobp.org/

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact them at (215) 948-3226

Document management, or document imaging, is the practice of digitizing, indexing and archiving both paper and electronic documents for easy storage and retrieval. Bail bondsmen across the nation are turning to this technology to keep track of documents they are used to storing in paper files and folders.

Is this something that would work in your agency? Let’s look at five reasons why you should consider document management.

1. You can save money. With a document management system, you can reduce the amount of paper you buy and virtually eliminate postage, photocopies, fax machines, couriers and off-site storage. You can also… decrease your paper consumption costs because you can directly e-mail or fax documents to other agencies instead of printing and mailing cumbersome paper files. Using this tool, you and your employees will quickly become more efficient and productive – giving them more time to focus on other tasks – which will save, if not make you, money.

2. You can save time. With document management, you can have instant access to files. Scan documents once and never print them again. No filing or searching for folders. View documents without leaving your desk. While you are out in the field, you can easily access original files through any web-based document management system. At the airport or in your home office at 3 a.m., you can pull up the files you need using index or keyword searches.

One bail bond company will track clients in their document management system using indexes like:

• Client Name
• Power Number
• Bond Number
• Bond Execution Date
• Bond Discharge Date

Being able to search documents using any combination of those index values plus keyword searching makes it virtually impossible to lose a file.

And, if you have multiple offices, you won’t need multiple copies of documents. Storing them in a central location will let employees retrieve them from anywhere – even simultaneously. By placing e-mail correspondence in the same electronic filing cabinet as photos, notes and other documents, it will be faster and easier for your employees to look at client information. No more putting people on hold. Most document management systems will work with your current contact management software, so you won’t need to store files in both places. If you change contact management providers, your electronic files will remain intact and available.

3. You can free up space in your office (or off-site) by eliminating old files and filing cabinets. Electronic files are legally accepted as the original. Shred cumbersome paper files, save space and turn filing cabinet areas into productive work areas. “I was out of space until I started using document management,” explained Jim Longstreth, owner of Your Neighborhood Realty, of St. Petersburg, Florida. “I was able to get rid of the client files I had in my son’s closet.”

4. You can create a disaster-recovery plan. Meaning natural disaster and man-made disaster – like a lawsuit. Floods, fire, hurricanes, earthquakes, vandalism and theft place paper files in jeopardy each day. With a document management system, you can rest assured that your company is still in business when disaster strikes. The more you scan, the less you have to lose! Most document management systems will help you meet Federal privacy and security regulation. As a bonus, you’ll meet industry and city, state and Federal rules and regulations regarding record keeping and retention.

5. You can increase compliance. In Florida, for example, each licensed agent must maintain records of bail bonds in his or her office that were executed or countersigned by him or her. The agent must keep this information for three years after the liability of the surety has been terminated. “Though we are only required to keep our documents for three years by law, we want to be able to store them indefinitely in case we need to refer to them in the future,” explained Jeremy Swan of Moncrief Bail Bonds in Orlando, Florida.

A bail bond company’s records are open to examination, inspection, and photographic reproduction by the regulating authority and at any time, the department may require the agent to furnish to it, in such manner or form as it requires, any information concerning the bail bond business of that agent. Web-based document management systems allow the bail bondsman to grant temporary access to auditors or authorities to review records stored online – making everyone’s job easier in the long run.

A document management system is also the perfect place to store employee information, including licenses, certificates and fingerprint cards.

Bail bond companies everywhere will be surprised at how affordable and easy document management systems can be. “Not only are document management systems a great way for businesses to organize their paper and electronic files, but they are also great at eliminating unnecessary expenses – like postage, couriers and off-site storage,” explained Leslie Haywood, CEO of eBridge Solutions in Tampa. “We are seeing businesses of every size in every industry making the switch.” Should your business be next?

Office Paperwork Statistics:

• 70% of “white-collar” worker time is spent processing paper documents
• 15% of all paper documents are misfiled or misplaced
• 30% of documents used daily contain obsolete information
• 40% of worker’s time is spent searching for misfiled, misplaced, or lost documents
• Paper grows at 25% per year in the typical organization, meaning that it will double in just over three years’ time!
• Paper-based processes are hard to validate for compliance to governmental regulation
• Most businesses do not have a backup for their paper-based documents, and would be out of business in the event of a natural or other disaster

Stephanie L. Jones, MBA, is the Marketing Director for eBridge Solutions, a web-based document management provider located in Tampa, Florida. Stephanie can be reached at sjones@eBridgeSolutions.com

HOUSE BILL No. 5493

September 30, 2009, Introduced by Rep. Johnson and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.

A bill to license and regulate bail enforcement agents; to provide for certain powers and duties for certain state agencies and law enforcement agencies; to require the obtaining of surety devices by licensees; to provide for the imposition of certain fees and establishment of certain standards of operation of licensees; to provide for the promulgation of rules; and to provide remedies and prescribe penalties.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “bail enforcement agent regulation act”.

Sec. 3. As used in this act:

(a) “Bail enforcement agent” means an individual who has been contractually retained as an agent by a surety or surety agent or who is otherwise authorized to act on behalf of the surety, with or without consideration, for the delivery of a principal to the sheriff or other peace officer of any jurisdiction. Bail enforcement agent does not include a surety who is a natural person executing a recognizance on his or her own behalf.

(b) “Department” means the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth- (MI DELEG).

(c) “Principal” means an individual charged with a crime in this or any other state who is the subject of a recognizance issued by a surety for the individual’s appearance on that criminal matter…

(d) “Surety” means an individual or business entity that has entered into a recognizance as a surety for the personal appearance of an individual charged with a crime.

Sec. 5. (1) Subject to section 11, an individual shall not act as, attempt to act as, or represent himself or herself as being a bail enforcement agent unless that individual obtains a license from the department under this act.

(2) An individual may act or attempt to act as a bail enforcement agent only under 1 or more of the following circumstances based upon the information and belief of the surety:

(a) The individual subject to the recognizance has failed to appear at a required court appearance or has violated or may violate a condition of recognizance.

(b) The principal has left, is leaving, or is attempting to leave the jurisdiction.

(c) Failure of the sureties submitted by the principal.

(d) Action of the surety pursuant to section 26 of chapter V of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 765.26.

Sec. 7. (1) The department shall issue a license as a bail enforcement agent only to a natural person.

(2) The department shall not issue a license as a bail enforcement agent to an individual who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in which the individual caused physical injury to another person.

(3) An individual seeking licensure as a bail enforcement agent shall do all of the following:

(a) Apply to the department on a form supplied by the department and pay an application fee and a per-year license fee in the amount determined by the department in rules promulgated under subsection (7).

(b) Be at least 18 years of age.

(c) Supply a copy of the applicant’s fingerprints acceptable to the department. The applicant shall sign an authorization for a criminal history check by the criminal history records division of the department of state police, including the records of the federal bureau of investigation, and pay a fee determined
appropriate by the department to cover the cost of the criminal history check.

(d) If applicable, and subject to the prohibition of subsection (2), demonstrate to the department that at least 10 years have passed after all of the following conditions regarding any felony convictions and misdemeanor convictions involving physical injury to another person:

(i) The payment of all fines, costs, and restitution.

(ii) The serving of all terms of imprisonment.

(iii) The completion of all conditions of probation or parole.

(e) Not later than 5 days before the date of application, successfully complete a course of education regarding the criminal justice system, consisting of at least 20 hours of classroom instruction.

(4) Upon the issuance of a license, the department shall issue a picture identification card stating the name and any alias of the licensee, the date of issuance and expiration date of the license, and the principal business address of the licensee. For a charge of at least $10.00 but not to exceed the cost or issuance, the department shall issue a new card to a licensee whose card is lost or destroyed.

(5) A license under this act is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of its issuance and is renewable by filing a renewal application not less than 30 days before the expiration date and enclosing the per-year license fee.

(6) Within 30 days after a change of home or business address, the licensee shall notify the department in writing of the change. Upon receipt of such a change, the department shall enter the change into its records and send a sticker to the licensee with the corrected information to be placed on the licensee’s identification card.

(7) The department shall promulgate rules under the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, to set fees for application for licensure under this act and for a per-year license fee. The fees shall be in an amount determined by the department to cover the actual costs of processing the application and issuing the license.

Sec. 9. A bail enforcement agent shall do all of the following:

(a) Notify by telephone or in person an appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location where the apprehension will occur or is planned no sooner than 24 hours before and at least 30 minutes in advance of a planned attempt to apprehend a principal. This subdivision does not apply if all of the following circumstances exist:

(i) The bail enforcement agent is confronted with an unanticipated opportunity to apprehend a principal that would be seriously jeopardized by the delay inherent in providing advance notice so long as a reasonable person would conclude that the apprehension can be accomplished without the use of force.

(ii) It is not foreseeable to a reasonable person that injury to another person or property will occur.

(iii) The bail enforcement agent notifies the law enforcement agency within 60 minutes after the apprehension.

(b) Have in his or her possession documentation demonstrating that he or she has been retained or independently contracted and authorized by the surety to effect the apprehension.

(c) Have in his or her possession his or her license issued under this act or a license issued by another jurisdiction and at least 1 additional picture identification other than the licensee identification issued under this or another jurisdiction. This additional picture identification shall be an operator’s or chauffeur’s license or an official identification issued by this or any other jurisdiction.

Sec. 11. A surety or an individual licensed as a bail enforcement agent in another jurisdiction may act as a bail enforcement agent in this state so long as he or she acts in compliance with section 9.

Sec. 13. A bail enforcement agent shall not have in his or her possession a firearm while performing his or her duties as a bail enforcement agent unless he or she is licensed to carry a concealed pistol under section 5b of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.425b.

Sec. 15. (1) A person determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have done any of the following is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

(a) Acted as, attempted to act as, or represented himself or herself as being a bail enforcement agent without being licensed under this act.

(b) Knowingly possessed an altered or forged bail enforcement agent identification card or license or knowingly altered or forged a bail enforcement agent identification card or license.

(c) In the case of a person not licensed under this act but licensed by another jurisdiction, failed to comply with section 9.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (1), a person determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have, while licensed under this act, violated any other section of this act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.

Sec. 17. After a notice and an opportunity for a hearing under the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, the department may suspend or revoke a license issued under this act of an individual determined to have violated this act.

Sec. 19. The sanctions and remedies under this act are independent and cumulative. The use of a remedy or the imposition of a sanction under this act does not bar other lawful remedies and does not limit criminal and civil liability.

Enacting section 1. This act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. ____ or House Bill No. 5492 (request no. 04400′09a) of the 95th Legislature is enacted into law.

Note- This article is part of a series of articles written about Bail Enforcement in Michigan:

Michigan Bail Bond Personnel Licensure Act Before the State Legislature

Bail Enforcement Licensing in Michigan and the “Professional Investigator Licensure Act”

This article was written by L. Scott Harrell and is posted courtesy IRBseach, LLC.

IRBsearch offers The Most information, The Best data sources, and The Fastest delivery for locating people, businesses, and their assets. With one click you can search billions of records in just a fraction of a second.