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a.) Is it common for BEA's in this are to carry?
Hit or miss. It used to be more common than it is now. Tasers are often carried, now more than before. Some agencies have a policy that doesn't allow their agents to carry a firearm while working for them.
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b.) When you take the FTA into the jail, do you remove your handgun or will they allow you to walk into the jail lobby with it in your holster?
Best to remove it. You can ask the jail staff before you get there, but bring a pistol-locker and plan for them to say "no".
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c.) What about the shotgun? Isn't that a huge No-no?
Certain licensed individuals (other than cops) such as P.I's and protective agents can carry a rifle or shotgun in a "public place", as statutorily defined.
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d.) Minnesota allows open carry, should we carry open
That's an individual choice. Open carry allows the skip to see you packing that tool, but also can invite a lot of questions from non-involved individuals. I have found that carrying concealed is less of a hassle; there are still those in this state unaware that carrying a firearm in the open is legal. (with a permit)
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e.) Shall I assume that the rules of engagement are not different for BEA's?
The use of force statute found under 609.
It allows for reasonable use of force, and the necessary amount of force.
It's found under the same statute as the use of force guidelines for peace officers, BEA's are not mentioned, but the statute has wording that applies to "other individuals making a lawful arrest".
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What are the do's and don'ts we need to be aware of L.E. wise in this area?
Don't break the law... I have yet to come across a cop around here that has a problem with recovery agents. I've even pulled up alongside a stopped squad car to ask if they have seen certain skips in the past, they were nothing but polite and helpful.
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Pepper Ball vs. Taser vs (fill in the blank):
Pepperballs are more of a crowd control device, and aren't as widely recognized as the Taser. The Pepperballs are also quite expensive.
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Should we look into the Peper Ball guns or tasers instead?
Tasers are often effective just by display.
If you want to go the Pepperball route, I would suggest looking into the flashlauncher device. It is a semi-automatic pepperball device, magazine capacity is 5, the launcher is incorporated into a flashlight. Has less of a "riot gear" look to it.
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If we have to use the pepper spray or taser; are there any rules specific to Minnesota requiring us to contact EMS prior to transporting to jail?
All the county jails have EMS staff on hand. Decontaminate the def if you use mace, just make sure you let the jail staff know they will need attention. It shouldn't be an issue, but a call ahead to the jail won't hurt.
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Upon arrival at the jail; if we've had to use tasers or pepper spray, what rules/guidelines should we follow?
Just let the deputies know. i.e; "he got aggressive, we had no choice but sudbue him using mace/taser"
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Watching Mall Cops of America a few months ago, they tossed a so called Bounty Hunter out of the mall. What are the recommended ways to deal with places with their own security staff? I am assuming that upon arrival you make contact with the shift supervisor and ask for there assistance?
I saw that episode... That show was ridiculous. I use to work at the big mall once upon a time. That idiot had an ASP, a tac vest with no inserts, handcuffs, and was dressed in BDU's.
MOA's policy bans simulated bulletproof vests, real bulletproof vests and openly carried weapons.
If I ever have a skip that works at the big mall, though, I have a friend who works as a supervisor for the mall administration.
