Metro Special Police

North Carolina is one of the few forward thinking states which has made the move to legalize private law enforcement. One company operating a private police force in North Carolina is the Metro Special Police.

Companies like Metro Special Police are granted their authority from North Carolina General Statute 74E to act as a private law enforcement agency. Metro Special Police Officers have full law enforcement authority in the state of North Carolina to conduct arrests, pull vehicles over for traffic infractions, and conduct searches. This authority is only valid, however, when the private police officer is within the jurisdictional boundaries of any property owned, possessed, or controlled by Metro Special Police, and property which Metro Special Police have been contracted to protect by its owner(s) or person in control and possession of that property. Metro Special Police Officers may pursue any person who commits a crime on property protected by Metro Special Police off of that property but must abandon the pursuit at the North Carolina state line.

While Metro Special Police are restricted by state law from fully replacing the public police agency of any jurisdiction, Metro Special Police are authorized to contract with any governmental body if certain conditions and circumstances are met. This means that Metro Special Police may be contracted to provide additional police presence and services to areas controlled by housing authorities, town parks, hospitals, and other similar areas. Metro Special Police may also be contracted by private businesses who would like additional security and protection such as large manufacturing plants, banks, warehouses, etc. No property is too small for the Metro Special Police to provide their services to.

Prior to becoming a Metro Special Police Officer, interested candidates must pass an extensive background investigation and be able to successfully graduate from a basic law enforcement training academy that is 26 weeks in length. Metro Special Police Officers learn the same basic law enforcement subject matter as their public counterparts. In order to remain proficient in their duties, Metro Special Police Officers attend annual refresher training given by an in service trainer. They also have the option of attending one of the many advanced law enforcement courses offered by any North Carolina certified police academy.

Metro Special Police offer highly visible patrol services with uniformed police officers driving marked emergency vehicles. Metro Special Police can be contracted for the long and short term, which means that they also provide police services to special events like carnivals, fairs, weddings, birthdays, or even graduation parties.

Sources:

FAQ. Metro Special Police & Security.