Currently, detective licenses are regulated in the Commonwealth under Title 22 P.S., known as the Private Detective Act of 1953.
First, any single applicant for a detective license must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and must have been employed in law enforcement for at least 3 years preceding the application; this employment could be attained by being regularly employed as a Detective, or through employment as a U.S. Government investigative service; as a deputy in a
Sheriff’s office; a member of the Pennsylvania State Police; or a member of a city police department of a rank or grade higher than a patrolman. If the applicant is a partnership or association, at least one member must meet these requirements. An applicant is also prohibited from being issued a license if they have been convicted of a felony, or any of the 11 additional enumerated offenses, to include illegal use or possession of a dangerous weapon; receiving stolen property;
possession of a controlled substance; simple assault; and terroristic threats. See 22 P.S. § 16(b). If an applicant will carry a lethal weapon in the performance of their duties, they must first obtain certification under Act 235, known as the Lethal Weapons Training Act.
The act provides that the application provide the full name, age, and residence of the applicant, as well as present and previous occupations, and that the applicant is a citizen of the United States. The application shall also specify the name of the city, borough, township, or incorporated town, as well as the street and number if applicable, and/or any other indicia that will
reasonably indicate the location of the business. The Act also provides that the applicant provide “such further facts as may be required by the court . . . to show the good character, competency and integrity of each person or individual so signing such application.” 14 P.S. § 14(a).
The application shall also include two passport size photographs; a fingerprint card for each hand; and statements of not less than 5 “reputable citizens of the community.” These statements must be made by persons that have personally known the applicant for a period of at least 5 years preceding the application, and state that the person making the statement has read the
application and believes the information to be true; and that the applicant is honest, of good character, and competent; and that the person making the statement is not related to the applicant by blood or marriage. These 5 statements must also be notarized by a person authorized to administer oaths.
There are also several fees associated with the issuance of a detective license. If the applicant is an individual, the license fee is $200; if a partnership, association, or corporation, the fee is $300. Additionally, the applicant must deliver and file with the Clerk of Court a corporate bond in the sum of $10,000, and issued by a corporate surety company authorized to do
business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth requires an additional payment for processing the fingerprint cards, in the amount of $17.50. Detective licenses are issued in the Commonwealth for a period of 2 years, and must be renewed in accordance with 22 P.S. § 21.
Detective licenses in Fayette County, Pennsylvania are under the authority of the Office of the District Attorney, the contact information of which is as follows:
Fayette County District Attorney
ATTN: John Marshall, Chief County Detective
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: 724-430-1245
