1. (a) It shall be unlawful for a person to engage in the business of operating, managing, or conducting a security agency or detective agency, for profit or gain, or to advertise or represent his or her business to that of a security agency or detective agency, or that of conducting, managing, or operating a detective agency or security agency, without first obtaining:

   1. (1) A public safety services license issued pursuant to § 47-2851.03; and
   2. (2) Approval from the Chief of Police.

2. (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), no person shall act as a campus police officer, private detective, or special police officer in the District of Columbia without first obtaining:

   1. (1) An occupational license issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection; and
   2. (2) Approval from the Chief of Police.
3. (c) All laws that govern the Metropolitan Police force of the District of Columbia in the matters of persons, property, or money shall be applicable to all private detectives licensed under this section, and the detectives shall make like returns and dispositions of such matters as is required by existing law and the rules of the Mayor of the District of Columbia governing the Metropolitan Police Department.

4. (d) The Director of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection is authorized and empowered to:

   1. (1) Issue civil penalties to a person who violates any provision of this section or the provisions of Chapter 21 of Title 17 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations pertaining to security agencies; and
   2. (2) Suspend or revoke the license of a private detective when such action is deemed advisable in the public interest.
5. (e) Any occupational license fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Occupations and Professions Licensing Special Account established pursuant to § 47-2853.11.
6. (f) The Department may, through the promulgation of rules pursuant to subchapter 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 2, establish qualifications and fees for occupational licenses issued pursuant to this section, and establish civil penalties for violations of this section.

Applicability of D.C. Law 24-333: § 9 of D.C. Law 24-333 provided that the creation of this section by § 5(d)(4) of D.C. Law 24-333 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Section 7286 of D.C. Law 25-217 provided that the amendments made to this section by Section 5(d)(4) of D.C. Law 24-333 shall apply as of October 1, 2025. Therefore those amendments have been implemented.

History

Mar. 22, 2023, D.C. Law 24-333, § 5(d)(4)

Applicability

Applicability of D.C. Law 24-333: § 9 of D.C. Law 24-333 provided that the creation of this section by § 5(d)(4) of D.C. Law 24-333 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Section 7286 of D.C. Law 25-217 provided that the amendments made to this section by Section 5(d)(4) of D.C. Law 24-333 shall apply as of October 1, 2025. Therefore those amendments have been implemented.

Section 7286 of D.C. Law 25-217 amended section 9 of D.C. Law 24-333 making the creation of this section by section 5(d)(4) of D.C. Law 24-333 applicable as of October 1, 2025.