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A company branding itself as “de-escalation specialists,” Men in Black, has been ordered to stop providing private security services after being found to operate without a proper license. The company, which advertises “de-escalation and violence interruption” services to businesses, has also offered training in Narcan use, CPR, and firearm safety.
The Minnesota Board of Private Detectives and Protective Agent Services filed a rare lawsuit against Men in Black, alleging the company had been illegally offering private security and crowd control services, which require a license from the board. Men in Black had its license application denied in 2021 due to the criminal record of one of its principal officers. Despite the denial, and its upholding in February 2022, the company continued providing services, claiming that a license wasn’t necessary for “de-escalation services.”
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Court Ruling and New Business Direction
Hennepin County District Court Judge Jamie Anderson ruled that Men in Black must cease offering and advertising any form of protective services until it secures a license from the board. This case marks the first time the board has sought a civil court order to stop an unlicensed security firm from operating.
Rick Hodsdon, chair of the Minnesota Board of Private Detectives and Protective Agent Services, emphasized the importance of the licensing process. “A major purpose of requiring these companies to be licensed is public safety and consumer protection,” he said. “We are grateful for the hard work of our assistant attorney general in pursuing this new and ground-breaking approach to act against those who ignore our laws.”
Men in Black has since stated that it has shifted its business model and no longer offers security services, focusing solely on “de-escalation” techniques. For those interested, a full list of licensed security firms can be found on the State of Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services website.
