[David]

This article was just posted on newsmax.com.

Since I have a very good friend (a retired LEO) trying to get an armed security guard position, I think these article brings out some really good points...plus it scares me alittle too!

Here's the link to this article:

http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/6/11/135858.shtml

To Protect and Serve – At 8 Bucks an Hour
Bruce Mandelblit
Thursday, June 12, 2003

After reading a recent article posted on USATODAY.com titled “Private Security Guards Are Homeland’s Weak Link,” I was concerned.

This compelling article pointed out many of the troubles, issues and challenges facing the private security industry today. It spotlighted, for example, the alarming fact that many of our country’s 1 million-plus security officers are unlicensed, untrained (or poorly trained) and not subject to background checks.

The article also highlighted the distressing reality that the private security officer business is hallmarked, in general, by high turnover, low pay and few benefits.

With the increasing demand for private security, some firms are just looking for “warm bodies” to fill their uniforms. Especially in this day and age, with the many threats we must face, this is utterly outrageous.

To add insult to injury, the Associated Press reported that 45 foreign-born security guards were arrested by the INS on immigration violations, with a few even having criminal convictions. These security officers were scheduled to work at or around one of our country’s most high-profile events – and a potential terrorist target – the Super Bowl.

What steps can be reasonably taken to help professionalize and improve our nation’s current state of private security?

Here are some thoughts:

RENT-A-COPS: I abhor that unfounded term to describe security guards. Security officers should be a well-trained deterrent with enhanced skills to observe, report and, when possible, prevent improper activity at their assigned post within the limits of the law. A security officer is not a law enforcement officer, and they are surely not “rent-a-cops.”

IMAGE: A related issue is the public’s image of security officers. How many of us have seen security guards portrayed on TV and in movies as stupid, lazy and even criminals themselves? The stereotype of a sleeping security guard wearing a grubby uniform, with an opened lunchbox by his side, has become ubiquitous in our society. This dubious image could change by attracting the right people into the private security business, and by having them set the example of professionalism and integrity.

CAREER: Being a professional security officer, especially in our post-Sept. 11, 2001 world, should be a viable career choice. The job of security officer should not be just the purview of the semi-retired, part-timers and students. With proper compensation, adequate benefits, sufficient training and stimulating advancement prospects, many individuals may find job of a security officer a highly attractive career option.

PAY: According the USATODAY.com article, in the year 2000, private security guards earned an average of $17,570 annually, and many leave within months of being hired. And don’t forget that a security guard is considered a high-risk job for workplace violence, according to government statistics. Sadly, each and every year a few security officers make the ultimate sacrifice by being murdered in the line of duty. Being a security guard for eight bucks or so an hour doesn’t sound like such a great deal, does it?

BACKGROUND CHECKS: The proper background checks should be fully completed before a security officer is assigned to a post. I believe this is just common sense, and the right thing to do.

TRAINING: Training ought to be in two parts. First, all security guards should be given a standardized training course, a sort of “security academy” in which all the basics are covered such as security procedures, emergency drills, first-aid, report writing, etc. Second, training should additionally cover areas specific to the security guard’s post. Periodic updates and retraining should be integrated into the security officer’s work schedule.

EQUIPMENT: Having the right equipment to do one’s job is essential. I have observed, regrettably, many security guards wearing uniforms that are a size or two too small or large, carrying broken flashlights, and having malfunctioning radios. How can security officers be expected to have dignity in their jobs when their employers do not even care enough to issue the proper and functioning equipment and supplies?

All security guards should be issued the suitable equipment to do their intrinsically risky jobs in as safe and proficient manner as reasonably possible.

PROFESSIONALISM: A security officer should be a professional in his field and, therefore, treated as such. Unfortunately, I have seen times, especially in some industries, when a manager will look at the security guard as an extra pair of hands to do non-security duties such as maintenance and housekeeping.

How would that manager explain that while a security officer was busy unplugging a toilet, a trespasser entered the property and assaulted a guest or employee?

Simply put, security guards should be limited to security-related duties.

PRIDE: I think the word “pride” sums it all up. If pride were shared by all involved in private security, from the security officer to the employer, the level of professionalism would be enhanced immediately. If people have pride in what they do, they will do a better job.

There are already many proficient and capable people in the security industry. We must find the proper ways to retain and motivate these fine folks while at the same time work to attract additional qualified people to their ranks.

As they say the movie “Field Of Dreams,” if you build it, they will come. I believe the same theory will hold true for the private security industry.

If security management makes the effort in time, resources and funds to “build” the better security officer, businesses will come to demand this new breed of skilled security guard. Only then, in time, will private security shift from being an industry of many contracts being awarded to the “lowest bidder” to one that is a viable and appealing career option for the well-trained, well-paid and respected security professional.

What do you think?

(Note to law enforcement and security officers and agencies: There is a new low-cost and lightweight state-of-the-art ceramic rifle body armor now available that is designed to be worn in conjunction with your own Level II soft concealable vest and give you up to Level IV rifle protection. For more information on this new officer safety innovation, please e-mail: RifleVest@aol.com.)

Copyright 2003 by Bruce Mandelblit
* * * * * *
“Staying Safe” with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com Magazine.

Bruce welcomes your thoughts. His e-mail address is CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security journalist, as well as a recently retired, highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce writes Staying Safe, a nationally syndicated weekly column covering the topics of security, safety and crime prevention.

Bruce was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.
------
:uhoh: :what: :scrutiny:

[braindead0]

Yup, but there are notable acceptions to this. Pinkerton still does security, and from what I know they train their officers pretty well background checks and the like.

The problem is that the majority of the market doesn't want to pay Pinkerton prices. Thus Joe Schmoe's security agency. I was dispatching for somewhere around 6years both for security guard companies and alarm companies. You would be suprised at how little pay there is for the weakest link in the entire process. If the dispatcher falls asleep, you're alarm will not be answered...

Malls, small businesses, shopping strips and the like would rather get cheap than good...

[Al Thompson]

It's all about the money. Most places (all?) want to pay as little as they can. The security companies can't pay more if the customer balks at the price.

[Jeff White]

Al has the right answer. It's all about the money. I shudder to think what the cost of real security would be. Many places have security simply to reduce their insurance rates. There are many facilities that could use real security and don't have it and won't until it is mandated either by the insurance industry or the government.

Then again there are plenty of places where the old night watchman is more then sufficient.

you get what you pay for. Pay minimum wage and you'll attract two types of people to the industry, the retiree looking for easy suypplemental income and the wannabe who thinks this type of experience is a stepping stome to bigger and better things.

Ask yourself if you want to see the cost of security reflected in every product and service you buy; before you castigate the private security industry.

Jeff

[winwun]

Everyone and everything is "on the cheap" these days.

Look around.

It is the norm for businesses to give as little as possible for as much return as possible.

Pick up a candy bar: It has as much fluff and puff as possible and as little substantive content as can be imagined.

The bottom line is PROFIT ! !

Stop in a motel: Some sales rep has sold the motel owner "Money Saving Shower Heads".

They, like others, charge as much for as little as possible, and then as a final reaming, they take away the one thing that could be nice, a shower with plenty of hot water and plenty of pressure.

The security industry is no exception. Pay cheap, you get cheap.

Sets the specs for the guards at FBI standards, pay 50% more than FBI starting scale, and you might get a pretty good guard.

The phrase Rent-A-Cop ? Sorry, but it is founded in fact more than fantasy. Police moonlight as security guards: Hence, Rent-A-Cop.

In the old days, we used to talk about "you get what you pay for".

God, don't I wish it were still true.

[jacketch]

All the major contract security orgainzations provide different types and levels of 'security' offerings from the minimum cost unarmed guard to high dollar systems with highly trained, armed personnel in conjunction with hard and soft technology. The customers dollar is always the defining factor.

[vertigo7]

"Protect and Serve" costs money and can make your company the target of lawsuits. "Observe and Report" is far cheaper and politically safer, and is generally what security guards are told to do, even some of the armed ones.

Works fine for me... I'm not willing to get shot at to protect someone else's money / property for any price.

vertigo7

[Mastrogiacomo]

Pinkerton pays next to nothing -- as do most unarmed security jobs -- which are out of my reach because I don't have experience and I can't seem to get it without a job....:banghead:

I have a B.A. in English, a M.Ed. in Education for Teaching English, I've been trained in firearms, I'm well spoken with excellent communication skills -- what has the kid with one year experience and high school education got that I can't learn? In one of my short lived stints -- during the time when there was a terror alert in Boston for high rise apartments -- I went to my post. An Arab kid working the early shift, who I was sent to replace, was asleep on the sofa of the building he was supposed to be watching. By the way, I was let go after two weeks because the security of the apartment complex found out I wasn't experienced. The only jobs I got offered after that were over night, no gun. I'd gladly make it a career if I were paid better and treated with more respect.

[Soap]

The market says that $8/hour is what the natural equilibrium is near. Simple. Don't like it? Then get a job where the natural equilibrium is higher or become a socialist ;) :p

[wendy]

The security guards where I work make minimum wage...
I know because I asked them when I read this thread. The
guy's comment was along the lines of "If I was making
$8 an hour I would be well off" :what:

[OEF_VET]

I guess I'm lucky to make $10 / hour for unarmed posts and $12 / hour for armed posts. But I do work for one of the highest paying, most professional companies in the state.

There are unfortunately too many idiots doing private security, but there are also a lot of intelligent, decent people doing it. It just seems that the only time you hear about one in the media it's one of the dumba***s. Take for instance the idiot here in Nashville back in March. Ole' Barney Fife is waiting downtown for his bus to work, starts showing his weapon to a hotdog vendor, has an ND and the ricochetting bullet hits an innocent pedestrian in the leg. Talk about a great spokesman for security guards.

As for me, I fit into the 'retiree, student, doing it temporarily' category. After being medically retired from the Army, I wanted a relatively easy job that pays fairly well to help offset the costs of going to Culinary Arts school. Once I start my internships in January, my days of being a 'rent-a-cop' are over (or at least numbered).

Frank

[Solinvictus70]

I worked as an armed guard for a small firm in Birmingham, AL about 11 years ago. The selling point from the hiring manager was that they paid $.10 over minimum. I was assigned to a biotech research lab and a HUGE car lot that was across from a popular crack hotel. At the time, I made about $3.35/ hour and was at all times expected to walk perimeter on the lots and run off the bums and prostitutes. Needless to say, it lasted a little over 3 weeks.
At the same time, since these positions pay so poorly, I really can not understand the complaining from private and public concerns over the quality of service. You get what you pay for.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Most people envision security officer's as
old worn out men, blind in one eye and can't see out
of the other; who walk's with a limp, and has a wad
of chewing tobacco in his mouth.

Also, most armed security company's issue old
worn-out Taurus revolver's, as their weapon of choice!:uhoh:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[makdaddy03]

$8 my ???. Try $6.50

[David]

The public's image of security?

:D :D :D

[Snowdog]

I'll have to agree with the article when it comes to stereotyping.
Just about ever movie or television depiction of a security officer I see is exactly as described in the article, either a do-nothing alcoholic or a shady character with a criminal background.
This from the same media that depicts gun owners as backward rednecks belonging to an anti-government militia. :rolleyes:

I haven't personally spoken with many security guards, but the ones I have met (primarily Pinkerton) were well mannered, average/above average intelligence and seemed to take their jobs seriously.

[makdaddy03]

Alan Dan Said " most Armed Security companies issue old worn out Taurus revolvers as their weapons of choice". Not!
All of the weapons that I have seen are Old Worn Out Smith & Wesson Revolvers. Its a made in the USA thing. :neener:

[George Hill]

I've also seen security companies that pay top dollar and hire from the police departments... picking the cream of the crop. Uniforms crisp and clean, college degrees, and well rounded personalities. Smart, and good shots with top of the line weapons. Sworn conservitor of the peace status gives the same arrest powers as police in areas of the security company's jurisdiction.

I've seen this in large private communities and in places where the regular police stopped working and the community wanted to take it back from the thugs. It worked.

You get who you pay for.

[OEF_VET]

Very few, if any, companies here in Tennessee issue weapons to their employees.

When you work as an armed guard here in TN, you have to qualify with each caliber and type of action you want to carry. The Dept. of Commerce and Insurance, who oversee Private Security Guards and Companies, has a list of allowable calibers (.32, 9mm, 10mm, .38, .357, .40, .45, and 12 gauge) and that's all you're allowed to carry. They consider .380 to just be a 9mm round.

As far as the different action types, if you own, let's say two Ruger P89's, one a P89 and the other a P89DC, you would have to qualify with both, since one has a safety and the other a decocker. They also consider Glocks to be a different action from all other guns.

The company I work for prefers that everyone carry .40 Glocks for several reasons. Primarily so that everyone has compatible ammo and mags. They really stress this for EP details. Secondly, it's what the Metro cops carry, and they are mindful of that old 'defending yourself to a jury' argument. That being said, I have yet to qualify with the Glock 22 my future FIL loaned me. Partly because it costs $25 to qualify and have the score sent to the state. Also because I'm not as familiar yet with the Glock and I don't want to carry such an important tool unless I'm intimately familiar with it. And also because if I did have to use it, I don't want his gun sitting in a police evidence locker for God-only-knows how long.

As for images, my employers prefer to hire either sworn police officers, former military, or people with a significant amount of security experience. We also are required to be 'dressed and pressed' at all times and always present a professional image for of our company. This company has done security for a lot of very high profile celebrities, politicians, and business executives. We also do the security for a very exclusive gated community who's residents include 2 pro-football players, a pro-basketball player, a supermodel, and a large number of doctors and business people.

Frank

[SkySlash]

I work in a "secure" building for a Fortune 50 company in the North Dallas area. We have a security desk in our lobby that each visitor is required to check in with.

Ou guards do not carry weapons, and they are contracted, I believe, through Guardsmark.

Our day guard is about 70 years old, female, and quite literally resembles everyone in this forums grandmother. The most intimidating thing about her has to be a tossup between either the white hair, or the painfully charming personality she weilds.

Our afternoon guard is not much different, he has white hair and is probably in his late 60's. If I had to guess at his weight, I'd guesstimate in the high 300's to low 400lbs. range.

I've not seen our night guard, but I wouldn't expect anyone much different.

In all the companies I've ever worked for, the guards were practically identical or barely 18 and pimplefaced. I'm not suggesting these people are incapable of doing their jobs, but they have definitely influenced my opinion of hired "security."

Just last week, a $10,000.00 plasma tv walked off the wall just 20 feet from the guards desk, and right out the front door.

We have a ccTV system that fortunately caught the thief in the act, but not surprisingly, that only offers a picture to the police to aid in their investigation.

When a 6'x4' tv weighing in at 100 pounds simply walks out the front door in front of security, it's slightly difficult to not feel akward in using the term "security" to describe what they do.

I don't see that industry ever changing either. It's what we've come to expect of it in this country.

-SS

[Delmar]

Some years ago, I worked for Brinks Home Security National Service center in the Dallas area as a remote alarm programmer-we had a security force hired after a series of mugging and auto thefts in the parking lot. It was good for the first week, as the company contracted with the Dallas County Sheriffs Deputies and these guys were good. The company after them was a huge joke. The first guard I met was a sack of guts, carrying a cheap Arnimus 38 and all the ammo in his belt had turned green. I asked him what he expected to with that ammo because it didn't even look like it could fire. His excuse was that they didn't pay him much-true says I, but if I'm going to stand out here and be what a BG would consider a threat to him, I'd pay the money and get a decent box of ammo, then work on either getting a safer job or a better revolver.

[VaughnT]

If every business really needed to use a security company, like everyone uses UPS, the security companies could pay better like UPS. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen.

Places like nuclear power stations can pay very well because thousands of people use the power they generate. They hire the cream of the crop (former LEO/Military) and train/certify yearly. It's a great job if you get it, which I didn't. (sucks when they want the best and that ain't you!!)

I fully understand the barney fife image and detest it. Same with the grandma at the guard-desk. Blame management for it, because they are the ones not firing people like this. Truth is most managers don't want some young upstart horning in on their job so they hire the duds of the world. I've got one or two working at my place and it's a daily embarrassment.

You really do get what you pay for. Without constant positive reinforcement, training, incentives and the like, you can't really take pride in your job. When you look down the line and there's a barney fife in the same uniform as you, it's downright disheartening.

[280PLUS]

you're probably OVERqualified for the position,

theyre most likely thinking you won't stick once you find out how mundane and downright boring the job can be.

i've got a bachelors and found that its better to NOT mention it when applying for jobs that don't require it

(thats right folks, sometimes you just gotta dumb down to land that job) :rolleyes:

and then theres the boss that thinks if youre too smart/educated and they hire you, you could end up in THEIR position :eek:

good luck!

:D

ps...i was specifically told this once, thats what i base the opinion on

"i'd like to hire you but you're too qualified, in 6 months youll be bored and you'll quit. I need someone who's going to stay here"

really!

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's makdaddy03-

Here's a quick reference list of security company's
that I have seen that issue those old worn-out
Taurus model 66's:

Eagle Security, Dynamic Security, Burns Security,
Security Engineer's, Vinson Security, and the very
infamous Wackenhut*.

*However, for the choosen few there seems to
be a very few Smith & Wesson model 10's;
or if you fall into the middle gap, a good ole' trusty
Taurus model 82. At any rate, they give their armed
officer's a total of 6 158 grain LRN bullet's.

**Wackenhut here locally advertises the starting
salary at $10.60 @ hour for their CPO's; but some
of the post that you might be assigned to are most
definitely in the ghetto, such as all night fried chicken
houses, truck stop's, and other type "joint's".

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[280PLUS]

:what:

[md2lgyk]

Not to bash security officers, but there are many (and I was one not too many years ago) sworn LEOs working for $8 an hour or less. Starting pay for a small town department near me is $7.65 an hour and you must already be certified.

[GoldenLoki]

When I had to select a security firm, I talked to the range officers everywhere I shoot who supervise qualifications for "armed security". Based on who could actually hit the broad side of a barn, I hired Brinks. It has been going on two years now, and I haven't a single complaint. FWIW they select and provide there own firearms and equipment. (lots of Sigs, 1911s, and Glocks, one older gentelman carries a S&W m19)

I feel the PRIMARY role of a security guard is as a deterant (a scarecrow if you will), but it would be a good feeling to know they are at least capable of holding their own should it come to it.

GL

[sw442642]

My image of a security is from one of those Bruce Willis movies - the one where they were stealing the gold and taking up the big water tunnel.

A series of armed thieves are coming to the door. Fat boy stands up with his shotgun. There is no one visible. He stands in the middle of the door way and fires all his rounds.

He then is shot by the Eastern European Commando.

Fah.

Society gets what it pays for. You want semi-literate, surly folks to keep Al-Qaeda off your plane, pay those wages.

If I was making lousy wages, I certainly would not risk my life for some rich executive butthole's plasma TV. If I could press an alarm from a safe location - I would.

[Pappy John]

Delmar says...
I worked for Brinks Home Security National Service center in the Dallas area as a remote alarm programmer-we had a security force hired after a series of mugging

Work for Brinks and hire outside security???? Whats up with that?

[jacketch]

Having been involved in contracting for security services for a while I can tell you that the security firms (Brinks, Wackenhut, Pinkerton, etc.) are not entirely to blame for the low quality of the security staffers we all see. These companies would like to sell the highest quality, well trained, motivated staff. This would mean more money and bigger margins for them. Unfortunately, most of the companies contracting for these services look upon them as an expense that may never even be needed. It is certainly not a profit center for the organization contracting the service. Most of these contracts are competitively bid and usually go to the low bidder. It is often a menu option system where you can pick and choose what options you want from uniforms to carry weapon systems.
At the complex where I work we have fences with razor wire, multi-unit cctv, vehicles, motion sensors and other technology to defeat the potential problems, but even without high dollar contract security the big expense is always what is paid per hour for staffing. Don't blame the Barny Fifes, that is probably all the customer will pay for.

[morganm01]

Supply and demand:(

[toro]

Our local public TV station had a ride along with our local police, similar to the cops show. They had a call to investigate a man either dead or passed out at the wheel of a car. The officer knocked on the window and it appeared the man was dead. But, when the officer opened the door he found the man was a security guard and fell asleep on duty. He also had a .38 revolver which he was not licenced to carry. They hired this man because there were so many things stolen from the property. Looks like they got the protection they paid for.

Toro

[toro]

I used to work for a place that had Rent-a-cops. They were very old and not allowed to carry a guns. One fellow was so old he could not walk very fast. We would take bets on whether this man would get across the street without getting hit. It was so close that we would all sigh:) after he made it across.

Mrs. Toro


---------------------------------------------------------
11 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

[rick newland]

Eagle Security, Dynamic Security, Burns Security,
Security Engineer's, Vinson Security, and the very
infamous Wackenhut*.

The issue gun of Security Engineers is S@W model 10 with 158 grain +p semi wad cutters. You can also carry your own pistol if you pass their shooting course. I carry a Colt GM .45 with 230 grain Hydrashocks.