LEAPS Program needed in Northern California

In our daily lives it is inevitable that Private Security Professionals and Law Enforcement Officers will have the "opportunity" to work together.  Today more than any other time in history, there is an ever accelerating importance to this relationship.  Interaction with Private Security and Law Enforcement Officers can be a greatly rewarding experience for both the security officer and the police officer or a frustrating event for all and a loss for the private business / public entities. It is a cooperative relationship between these two professions that puts everyone on the right side of the law in a superior position to those who choose to ignore the laws of our society.  

Prior to criminal or unwanted activity the roles of both security professionals and law enforcement share a commonality.  Both the security officer and the police officer share the role of creating and maintaining a deterrent to crime or unwanted activities for a private business or public entity.  Once a crime has been committed the roles diverge.  From the perspective of a professional security practitioner, the security officer is often the first on the scene or even a witness to the crime.  The Security Officers role becomes observe and report! Once the call to Law Enforcement is made, en-route Law Enforcement is already gathering information towards their role of apprehension.  Based on the mission of the security officer and the situation, Security Officers may take control of preserving the scene and observing what takes place until Law Enforcement Officers arrive. Upon arrival of Law Enforcement, Security's role is then to assist the police officer by giving a comprehensive report of the facts observed by the security officer. This aids the police officer, giving them a chance to use these facts for a fast apprehension of the wrong doer or for use of these facts to report to their department.  Their department will then submit to the District Attorney a compelling set of facts and circumstances in order to arrest and successfully prosecute the wrong doer.  Each officer in this case gets what they need to consider this a job well done.  Both parties can get the personal satisfaction that they fulfilled their role for the private businesses / public entities they both serve. 

While the scenario above is an overview, it points out the fact that “Cooperation between law enforcement and private security benefits all parties!" Private Security and Law Enforcement in Los Angeles and other cities have come up with a LEAPS (Law Enforcement and Private Security) program. It supports the positive interaction between the industries.  Maybe it is time for the same type of program in Northern California cities and counties.  Roy Rahn, Executive Director of CALSAGA (California's Largest Organization for the Private Security Industry) and Association Management Expert with FSB Core Strategies, has been instrumental in organizing and supporting LEAPS in Los Angeles and San Diego.  Let me know what you think about a LEAPS program here in Sacramento or where you live? If you would like to contact Mr. Rahn directly his email is RRahn@CALSAGA.org.

For your employees be sure to utilize eduGuard.com for training on proper interaction with Law Enforcement and all AB 2880 security related compliance training!

On a personal note, I am a strong supporter of all Law Enforcement and urge you to do the same.  There are citizen groups such as the Sacramento Citizen's Crime Alert board or Crime Stoppers International who need volunteer leadership. Check out crimealert.org!

Thanks for reading!   Comment on LinkedIn or Facebook!   

Bryon A. Bayer

Security Guard Checklist

Hello again fellow security officer’s time for this month’s tip. So, we are going to examine how preparation for your work shift can maximize your effectiveness specifically having the proper equipment and uniform.  

Preparing with a checklist is similar to one of my hobbies, flying.  When I was learning to fly, the importance of landing safely was forefront in my mind.  I learned that it was the set up for the landing that was so important.  Your approach to the point of touchdown, like your approach to your duty shift greatly determines how smoothly things will go.  In a small plane you set up your approach to landing on the downwind leg according to a checklist; seat belts, fuel mixture, carb heat, power, flaps, altitude, planning your turn to base and eventually final are all cumulative.  In this case, preparation before you ever leave the ground determines how smoothly you will land.

Prepare yourself physically and mentally by having a proper meal before you begin your shift – nothing heavy that could inhibit physical performance or mental sharpness.  Mental alertness enables you to quickly adapt and overcome adverse situations. 

 

Use a checklist to prepare for your work shift:

·         Guard card

·         Identification badge

·         Flashlight

·         Pen 

·         Any other tools or information you need 

·         Uniform should be clean for a professional image

Being ready is essential!  Most landings, like most shifts, will go without a problem. However, it is the last minute gust of wind, the control tower ordering an immediate 360 degree turn when you are on final approach - 400 ft off the ground over a corral of scattering cattle – can be like the RCI (residentially challenged individual) that decides today is the day he will not comply or reacts with violence. In cases like these, the prepared person with a solid approach to their situation has the best chance for an optimum outcome.  Your success depends on your level of preparation every shift.  Be ready to face the challenges of our industry like the pilot landing the plane.

Good preparation allows you to use your body, mind, experience and expertise simultaneously with your equipment and training for success.  Remember, train to the maximum!

Gear For Security Officers

Hello Fellow Security Officers!  

I want to start by saying Happy New Year to everyone! 

 On the eduGuard Facebook page, LinkedIn page, and Twitter page, this year I plan on providing a "Tuesday Tip" so please "like" or "follow" our pages so you can read these weekly tips just for the security industry!  Let me know if you ever would like Tips on a specific subject matter and I will be glad to provide them.  Our tip last week was how to stay warm when it is cold out and still maintain the high degree of visibility necessary to really do your job well. 

This month's blog is a continuation of our Facebook's tip from last week on visibility.  Our focus here is on making sure you have adequate vision in all lighting conditions.  During the bright daylight hours, be sure to bring your sunglasses.   If you don't have a pair or are in need of good quality sunglasses, check the 5.11 Tactical Website or other uniform suppliers.  You want to buy a highly rated pair of industry quality.  Check the web, read reviews, and security blogs for ideas if you can't find a pair you like.  The reason you need high quality sunglasses is so you not only protect your eyes while working in sunlight, but also to be able to better see your surroundings at your site.  For dusk and overnight hours be sure to bring a good quality re-chargeable flashlight.  You need to be able to see everything around you in order to be the best that you can be on the job!  I use a Pelican re-chargeable flash light with a car charger.

Both your sunglasses and flashlight are tools of your trade.  You need to invest wisely in these tools and take care of them.  Before you purchase be sure to talk with other officers, check security blogs, Yelp or other trade publications to find something of quality. 

Training is also an important part of your arsenal. Be sure to get as much security training as possible so you can be the best security officer you can be!  Whether it is in a classroom in a school or online with eduGuard...Train to the Max!

 

In my next blog I will address finding the best value shoes / boots for the long shifts.

-Bryon