In order to work as a security officer for pay in the State of Wisconsin you must have a permit issued by the Department of
Regulations and Licensing. Unless you are classified as in-house security and work for no one other than your employer, this
regulation applies to you.
That if you hire yourself out as a person to provide security for an event and get paid, without the permit you can be
charged with violating State Statute 440.26.
The person who hires you can be charged with "solicitation," also under 440.26, hiring unlicensed security persons for
pay. It is illegal for business and special events to solicit security services from persons who aren't licensed by the state
to perform those services (440.26(8)).
Did you know?
It is illegal for any law enforcement officer to hire themselves out as private security officers for pay while off duty from
their regular job. They can be charged under statute 440.26.
If a law enforcement officer hires him or herself out for pay, while off duty and wears a department uniform while doing
so, that officer can also be charged with "misconduct in public office," (946.12(5)) a felony in the State of Wisconsin.
