Can a PPO use a red emergency light in their patrol vehicle?

The use of emergency lights by private patrol officers (PPOs) is governed by specific regulations under California law. In general, private security personnel are not authorized to use red emergency lights in their patrol vehicles. Red lights are typically reserved for law enforcement agencies and emergency vehicles, as they indicate the presence of a vehicle responding to emergency situations.

The prohibition is in place to prevent confusion among the public regarding the status and authority of private security compared to official law enforcement. Allowing PPOs to use red emergency lights could mislead the public into believing they have similar powers or are acting in an official capacity as law enforcement officers.

Therefore, since PPOs are not allowed to use red lights while on duty, this aligns with the regulations established under the California Private Security Services Act and confirms that such use is indeed prohibited.