This bill authorizes a qualified company police agency to operate within the confines of the company's associated properties located in this state. Company police officers may operate under a company police agency and must follow all standards and requirements set forth by the peace officer standards and training (POST) commission. In order to qualify for the establishment of a company police agency, a company must employ a minimum of 3,000 individuals annually and have an annual attendance of at least 3 million visitors to its properties. POWERS — JURISDICTION — MISSION This bill provides that a company police agency is vested with full police powers, including, but not limited to, the authority to (i) enforce all applicable federal, state, and local laws; (ii) effectuate arrests and detain individuals in accordance with due process; (iii) carry firearms and utilize law enforcement equipment in the course of duty; (iv) conduct investigations related to criminal activity occurring within its jurisdiction; (v) provide emergency response services and coordinate with public safety agencies; and (vi) provide personal protection details for dignitaries, high-profile visitors, and company executives within its jurisdiction. However, the bill clarifies that the jurisdiction of a company police agency is limited to the property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the company and its affiliates, as defined by contract or corporate ownership, unless otherwise provided by interagency agreement or mutual aid contract. This bill provides that the mission of a company police agency is to protect life and property, ensure the safety of all guests and employees, and enhance the public's experience through professional, ethical, and community-focused law enforcement service. COMMAND STRUCTURE This bill requires the company police agency to operate under a defined command structure to ensure accountability, supervision, and operational efficiency. The command structure must include the ranks of chief of company police, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, and patrol officer. REQUIREMENTS OF COMPANY POLICE OFFICERS This bill requires all company police officers appointed by a company to a company police agency to meet all of the following criteria:  Be certified by the POST commission. Meet or exceed all training and in-service training requirements applicable to full-time law enforcement officers in the state. Maintain active certification in CPR, first aid, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Complete specialized training in hospitality-based de-escalation, crowd control, multi-agency emergency response, and active threat mitigation. COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT This bill requires a company police agency to cooperate fully with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement and emergency service providers. A company police agency may enter into mutual aid agreements for coordinated responses to incidents of significance. Additionally, this bill does not limit or interfere with the authority of any state or local law enforcement agency operating within the same geographic area, nor does it create a cause of action against the state or any subdivision. IMMUNITY This bill provides that when a POST-certified company police officer is acting within the scope of the officer's official duties and enforcing the criminal laws of this state, then the officer is entitled to the protections of qualified immunity to the same extent as any other duly commissioned law enforcement officer. When such officers are engaged solely in the enforcement of company rules, policies, or regulations that are not state law, liability for any alleged acts or omissions are governed by the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act or other applicable tort law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-20-102(3), 29-20-102