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Security Association Membership
Security Association Membership
The National Association of Private Officers, an International Security and Law Enforcement organization is now taking applications for membership.
There are three types of membership available:
Corporate Members $125yr- includes all above member benefits and also receives a one month free ad on our main website and special email bulletins to our members and associates when they enroll.
Associate Member $25yr- this includes any vendor or supplier, supporter of the security and law enforcement field, students or others who would like to join.
Sign up today! http://www.privateofficer.com/securityassociation
Unarmed but not defenseless www.privateofficer.com
Unarmed but Not Defenseless http://www.privateofficer.com
By: Mike Matthews
VP Operations
Training Division Director
National Association of
Private Officers
http://www.privateofficer.com/
Security officers have a dangerous job these days regardless of the public’s perception of their roles and duties. Some work unarmed in risky situations and patrol places where an armed officer should be.
However, if you are one of these unarmed security officers it doesn’t make your job any less dangerous than an armed security guard. An unarmed security officer may come in contact with a person who threatens them and they may need to take action defensive actions even if they are unarmed? But how? With no batons or pepper spray or sidearm some may think that they are defenseless but this is not the case.
Protecting yourself as a security officer is very important and I will show you numerous different ways that you can protect yourself by turning a few everyday items into a weapon to protect yourself while on duty or in everyday life. These items that I am going to list are those that you will more than likely have on the job as a security officer. They may even be something that a person may carry off-duty.
Flashlights
Most security officers carry flashlights on them for hard to see areas or areas which possess minimal lighting. A flashlight can be a useful tool why being a security officer but if you are unarmed it also doubles as a weapon. A steal flashlight, 3-4 cells like a Maglight or Streamlight works best but other flashlights can also be used as a weapon. I suggest that the flashlight is at least big enough that you can hit an object without the object being close to your hand but you are also going to want one that is small enough around that it fits into the palm of your hand. Flashlights come in many brands, sizes and light strengths and can be ordered at any local or online police supply or can be found at most hardware stores and in places such as Wal-Mart. Remember that the object here is to have something readily available that can be used for impact defense in a striking and clubbing motion.
When using the flashlight as a defensive weapon, striking with the round head where the bulb is located should be most effective and do the most damage. Strike the arms, shoulder, torso and leg areas but try to stay away from the head unless this is truly a life and death situation and deadly force is warranted.
Keys
Keys can also become a weapon for an unarmed security officer and you should use this to your advantage. If you have a ring of keys and you are making a walking patrol, walk with the pointed side of the key between your fingers or have them easily available to use as a stabbing weapon. By placing the keys in your dominant hand where you have the most strength and holding them in such a way to have one or more pointed and extended you will be armed to strike and stab any attacker. This is best done if the butt of the key is wide so that it has a less chance of slipping out from between your fingers. Using the pointed ends of the keys to stab and jab in the eyes, throat and sensitive areas of the body should give you a solid weapon. Using the keys to stab hands that may hold a weapon could also cause the attacker to drop his weapon allowing you a chance to escape.
Pens
Pens are also a good stabbing weapon. Pens are often used as an effect stabbing weapon in detention centers and prisons and if used properly can cause serious and even fatal. Standard pens such as the clicking kind are alright but the best is a cheap straight Bic pen that comes with a top. Carry this in your shirt pocket separate from other pens and to lessen the slipperiness of the pen and give you a better grip, just wrap a little duck tape around the butt of the pen.
Pocket Knives
Even on an unarmed post, a pocket knife is a usually an excepted item for an employee to carry unless it’s a government facility, courthouse or other restricted government building or a client who has a zero tolerance for weapons of any type.
Folded knives that are small and compact with or without the metal clip for hanging inside your pocket has been in the spotlight recently. A police officer in Pennsylvania used his small knife to defend himself as a shoplifting suspect tried taking his duty weapon. He was able to stab him repeatedly until the suspect was subdued. A security officer in Orlando also used his folding knife to stab his attacker and prevent serious injury to himself and there have been several other similar situations where having a knife made the difference between life and death.
Other Weapons
Any blount item that you can grab can become your nightstick or your club and common items such as bricks and wood blocks, glass bottles and even nails can be used as defensive weapons.
Whenever you are on a site, take a good look around and look for what could be used as a weapon and where are your escape routes should you need to flee. Remember, there is no shame in fleeing if you can not defend yourself or the situation is greater than you can handle. The key is to stay alive and to go back home to your family at the end of your shift.
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Woman claims TSA officer groped her www.privateofficer.com
Linda Speicher, 66, of Moraga says a guard stopped her after she passed through a full body imaging scanner in Albuquerque, New Mexico last month
Speicher had a mastectomy on her left breast, and wears a prosthesis. She says the guard told her she needed to check her left breast and then patted her down in front of everyone.
I don’t think any woman, anyone would like to have that kind of invasive treatment done to them in public,” Speicher said.
The TSA has not responded to Speicher’s incident, but on its Web site, it says patting down sensitive areas of the body is a critical element in ensuring the safety of the flying public.
It also says private screening will be offered. Speicher says that did not happen in her case.
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Security officer shot at Michigan nightclub www.privateofficer.com
By: Rick McCann
Private News Network
http://www.privateofficer.com/ Police say a security officer was wounded in a shooting outside a Grand Rapids nightclub on Saturday.
Police report that the shooting happened about 2 a.m. Saturday outside the Azucar nightclub when a disturbance broke out in the parking lot. The security officer was struck at least one time by gunfire and police said that it is not clear whether the security officer was the intended target.
Police were searching for suspects in the shooting overnight as the investigation continues. The security officer’s name was not released and he was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
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What Is Swine Flu? The Facts!
What Is Swine Flu? The Facts! http://www.privateofficer.com
Center for Disease Control
Atlanta GA April 26 2009
Swine Influenza and You
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.
How do you catch swine flu?
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
• Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
• Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are
also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in San Diego County or Imperial County California or Guadalupe County, Texas and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
School locked down after shots fired www.privateofficer.com
dailypress.com — An elementary school in Newport News was locked down Thursday after a group of teenagers fired a gun on school premises.
The lockdown was imposed at South Morrison Elementary on Adams Drive at about 5 p.m.
Newport News schools spokeswoman Michelle Morgan Price said about 50 children were in the building attending an after school program.
Price said a security guard heard shots in a wooded area behind the school.
The lockdown lasted about 10 minutes.
Police spokeswoman Holly McPherson said Jarmal Robinson, 19, of nearby Dresden Drive, was later arrested and charged with discharging a firearm on school property, trespassing on school property, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
She said police responded to reports that Robinson and male juveniles aged 17 and 13 were firing a gun on school property.
“A black BB gun was recovered. Jarmal Robinson was determined to be the individual shooting the BB gun,” McPherson said.
She said juvenile services drew up a report on the 17-year-old and the 13-year-old, but she did not know if any criminal charges had been brought against them.
South Morrison was locked down twice in one day in February of 2008 after gunfights between two groups of teenagers broke out nearby.
Police were first called to Adams Drive about 3:30 p.m on Feb. 29, 2008, when witnesses saw two groups of teenage males with guns shooting at each other.
About 5:30 p.m., police were called back to Adams Drive, in the Ivy Farms area, after reports of more gunfire around the school.
Two rounds hit the building, which had several teachers and staff members inside, but nobody was injured.
Morgan said the frequency of security patrols has been increased at the school since last year’s incidents.
A police officer has been assigned to after school activities following Thursday’s lockdown, she said.
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