OAR 259-061-0300: Denial/Suspension/Revocation

(1) It is the responsibility of the Board, through the Private Security and Investigator Policy Committee, to set the standards, and of the Department to uphold them, to ensure the highest level of professionalism and discipline. The Board will uphold these standards at all times unless the Board determines that neither the safety of the public or respect of the profession is compromised. (2) Mandatory Grounds for Denying, Suspending or Revoking Private Investigator Licensure. The Department must deny or revoke the license of any applicant or private investigator after written notice and hearing, if requested, upon finding that the applicant or private investigator has been convicted of a person felony as defined by the Criminal Justice Commission in OAR 213-003-0001 in effect on February 3, 2014 or any crime with similar elements in any other jurisdiction; (3) Emergency Suspension Order: The Department may issue an emergency suspension order pursuant to OAR 137-003-0560 immediately suspending a private investigator’s licensure upon finding that a person has been charged with any of the mandatory disqualifying crimes listed in section (2) of this rule. The report may be in any form and from any source. (a) The Department may combine the hearing on the Emergency Suspension Order with any underlying proceeding affecting the license. (b) The sole purpose of the emergency suspension hearing will be to determine whether the individual was charged with a mandatory disqualifying crime. Upon showing that an individual was not charged with a mandatory disqualifying crime, the suspension of the individual’s license will be rescinded, otherwise the suspension will remain in effect until final disposition of the charges. (4) Discretionary Grounds for Denying, Suspending or Revoking Private Investigator Licensure. The Department may deny or revoke the licensure of any applicant or private investigator after written notice and hearing, if requested, upon finding that an applicant or private investigator: (a) Fails to meet the minimum standards for licensure as a private investigator as defined in OAR 259-061-0040; (b) Has falsified any information submitted on the application for licensure, including failing to disclose any criminal convictions, or any other documents submitted to the Department pertaining to private investigator licensure; (c) Has violated any of the conditions of a temporary or provisional license as described in ORS 703.401-703.995 and these rules; (d) Has failed to submit properly completed forms or documentation in a time frame as designated by the Department; (e) Has failed to pay a civil penalty or fee imposed by the Department when due; (f) Has failed to comply with any provisions found in ORS 703.401-703.995 or these rules; (g) Has failed to abide by any of the requirements of conduct found ORS 703.450; or (h) Lacks moral fitness. For the purposes of this standard, the Department, through the Policy Committee and Board, has defined lack of moral fitness as: (A) Lack of Character. Lack of character includes, but is not limited to, being disrespectful, failing to be faithful and diligent to an investigative charge, and failing to use discretion or compassion; (B) Dishonesty. Lack of honesty includes, but is not limited to, untruthfulness, dishonesty by admission or omission, deception, misrepresentation or falsification; (C) Failure to strive for justice. Failing to strive for justice includes, but is not limited to, unjust treatment or being partial, unfair or discriminatory; (D) Lack of Public Trust. Failure to maintain public trust and confidence includes, but is not limited to, acting in an unlawful manner or not adhering to industry standards; or (E) Lack of Respect for the Laws of this State or Nation. Lack of respect for the laws of this state and nation includes behavior which leads to an arrest or conviction within a ten-year period prior to application or during licensure. (5) Procedure for Denial or Revocation of Licensure. Scope of Revocation. Whenever the Department revokes the licensure of a private investigator under the provisions of this rule, the revocation will encompass all private investigator licenses the Department has issued to that person. (6) Denial and Revocation Procedure. (a) Department Initiated Review: Upon receipt of factual written information from any source the Department may request that the Board deny, revoke or suspend the private investigator’s licensure. (b) Department Staff Review: When the Department receives information from any source that a private investigator may not meet the established standards for Oregon private investigators, the Department will review the request and supporting factual information to determine if a sufficient factual basis exists to support the request for denial, suspension or revocation of a private investigator license under ORS 703.401-703.995 and these rules. (A) If the Department determines that a private investigator may have engaged in discretionary disqualifying misconduct: (i) The Department will seek input from the affected private investigator by allowing the individual to provide, in writing, information for review. (ii) The Department may take action upon discovery of discretionary disqualifying misconduct when consensus is reached that the nature of the discretionary disqualifying misconduct is appropriate for summary staff disposition or administrative closure. (iii) If Department staff believes that a private investigator may have engaged in discretionary disqualifying misconduct, Department staff will review the conduct, including aggravating and mitigating circumstances. If Department staff is unable to reach a consensus to summarily dispose of or administratively close the case, the case will be presented to the Board, through the Private Investigator Subcommittee and the Policy Committee. (B) In making a decision to authorize initiation of proceedings under section (4) of this rule based on discretionary disqualifying misconduct, Department staff, the Private Investigator Subcommittee, the Policy Committee and Board will consider mitigating and aggravating circumstances. (c) Initiation of Proceedings: Upon determination that a sufficient factual basis exists to support the request for denial, suspension, or revocation of a private investigator license under ORS 703.401–703.995 or these administrative rules, the Department will prepare and serve a contested case notice on the private investigator. (A) All contested case notices will be prepared in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Attorney General’s Model Rules of Procedure adopted under OAR 259-005-0015. (B) In discretionary cases heard by a policy committee, the contested case notice will be served on the private investigator prior to Board review. If the Board disapproves the Policy Committee’s recommendation, the Department will withdraw the contested case notice. (C) Applicants who choose to withdraw their application forfeit their application fees. (d) Response Time: (A) A party who has been served with an Emergency Suspension Order has 90 days from the date of mailing or personal service of the Order in which to file a written request for hearing with the Department. (B) A party who has been served with a Contested Case Notice of Intent to Deny Licensure has 60 days from the date of mailing or personal service of the notice in which to file a written request for a hearing or a written request withdrawing their application from consideration with the Department. (C) A party who has been served with a Contested Case Notice of Intent to Revoke Licensure has 20 days from the date of the mailing or personal service in which to file a written request for hearing with the Department. (e) Default Orders: (A) If a timely request for a hearing is not received, the Contested Case Notice will become a final order denying or revoking licensure pursuant to OAR 137-003-0672. (B) If a timely request for a hearing is not received in cases heard by a policy committee, the Contested Case Notice will become a final order denying or revoking certification pursuant to OAR 137-003-0672, pending Board affirmation. (f) Final Order: (A) A final order will be issued pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Attorney General’s Model Rules of Procedure adopted under OAR 259-005-0015 if a private investigator fails to file exceptions and arguments within 20 days of issuance of the proposed order. (B) Department-proposed amendments to the proposed order in a case that was originally heard by a policy committee must be considered and approved by the policy committee that originally reviewed the case before a final order is issued. (g) Stipulated Order Revoking Licensure: The Department may enter a stipulated order revoking licensure of a private investigator upon the person’s voluntary agreement to terminate an administrative proceeding to revoke a license, or to surrender a license, under the terms and conditions provided in the stipulated order. (7) Appeals, Ineligibility Period and Reconsideration. Appeal Procedure: Applicants and private investigators aggrieved by the findings and Order of the Department may file an appeal with the Court of Appeals from the Final Order of the Department, as provided in ORS 183.480. (8) Upon denial or revocation of a licensure, an individual is ineligible to reapply for future licensure for a period of three years from the date of the final order issued by the Department. (a) Any applicant reapplying for licensure must reapply in accordance OAR 259-061-0020. (b) Pursuant to ORS 703.465(4), an applicant reapplying for licensure must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the grounds for the denial or revocation no longer exist. (c) In reconsidering the application of an applicant whose certification or licensure was previously denied or revoked for discretionary grounds, the Department, the Policy Committee and the Board may consider mitigating and aggravating circumstances. (d) The Board’s decision to deny an application for reconsideration will be subject to the contested case procedure described under subsection (6) of this rule.