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2011 SECURITY OFFICER AWARDS NOMINATIONS www.privateofficer.com
2011 PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICER AWARD NOMINATIONS
7TH ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM
SPONSORED BY PRIVATE OFFICER INTERNATIONAL
Nominations are now being taken for these categories:
ELIGIBILITY:
Nominations may be made for exceptional achievement in any security or private police endeavor, either on duty or off-duty, including self initiated cases, community policing, criminal investigation, extraordinary valor, excellent arrest or detention, progressive security techniques, meritorious service, enhancing or advancing private security through education, training or community services, and overall client safety awareness or programs.
Nominees may come from virtually any area of private security including proprietary departments, contract agencies, special or private police forces or other private protective services.
The time frame for eligibility extends from actions performed between April 1 2010 and April 1, 2011. Posthumous nominations are not eligible.
All officers in any country are eligible and nominees do not have to be a POI association member to be nominated. An agency or department may nominate more than one officer.
Endorsement: Nominations MUST have a signed endorsement from the agency head, supervisor or manager to be considered.
Self nominations will be allowed but must include supporting uch as reports, witness statements, media coverage or other materials acceptable to the commission.
Submissions: There is an application for submissions. Please complete the information as thoroughly as possible. Nominations should include a statement of the specific circumstances involving distinguished performance. Supplemental material such as departmental citations, letters of commendation, and newspaper clippings will be accepted. No videotapes or CDs, please. A 5″x7″ black and white, head and shoulders photo is requested, if available. Submissions will not be returned.
All nominations must received via email no later than April 23 2011.
Send them to Stephanie Kay-Operations Manager
stephaniek@privateofficer.com
British security officer wins bravery award www.privateofficer.com
London England April 9 2011 A security guard who rescued a youth from a mob of 40 people has been awarded for his bravery.
Laurence Timmins, 21, who works in The Mall Sutton Coldfield, was given British Security Industry Association (BSIA)’s Security Personnel Award for his bravery.
He was on duty when he spotted the youth being attacked by the crowd of adults, others youths and even schoolchildren.
Without thinking of his own safety, despite the fact the crowd had already shown they could be violent, Laurence made his way through the mass to reach the person being attacked and removed him swiftly from the scene.
Laurence then guided the youth to a safe spot inside a shop, and remained outside the door to ensure no-one could harm the injured party.
Shortly afterwards a team of more than 10 police officers arrived at the scene and made a total of four arrests.
“I am very happy and proud of myself in the way that I handled this potentially life-threatening situation,” Laurence said.
“I have been a security officer for almost two years and would like to work my way up the ladder as high as I can.”
Andy Jackson, The Mall’s general manager, praised Laurence’s cool demeanour in a moment of pressure: “I am confident that Laurence, by his actions, prevented serious injuries from taking place,” he said.
“Laurence acted in a cool and calm manner when there was chaos around him.
“He was faced with a considerable crowd who had already shown they were capable of violence, but he used his skills to help the youth reach a place of safety.
“He faced a significant challenge with thought, balance and commitment.”
The BSIA’s Security Personnel Awards are presented regionally throughout the UK, with the winners going forward to the national judging phase.
The national winners will be presented with their awards at the association’s annual luncheon on July 13.
MS. hospital adds police force www.privateofficer.com
Hospital officials say the growing number of patients, and needs within the hospital, make it necessary to transfer from a security force, to a campus police department. Randy Sanders is the campus police chief. “Campus police department opens the doors for us to allow us to have access to more education opportunities for our officers, more training, more investment for our officers in terms of education and skill set,” he explained.
The security officers are under the jurisdiction of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
Source:WLOX
Police charge man with assault on hospital security www.privateofficer.com
Chicago IL April 9 2011 A 46-year-old Schiller Park man was charged with assault when police say he wouldn’t cooperate with Hinsdale Hospital staff and was accused of taking a swing at a hospital security officer.
The man was arrested at 1:37 p.m. on March 30 and charged with assault by Hinsdale police.
Deputy Police Chief Mark Wodka said he was not cooperative with hospital staff when asked for personal identification and instead became irate and upset.
“(He) showed physical signs of intoxication and attempted to strike the security guard by swinging his arm,” Wodka said. “The security guard moved out of the way and was not hit but detained (him) until police arrived.”
Wodka said neither person involved in the incident needed treatment from the hospital.
Cleveland school security officer attacked by parent www.privateofficer.com
CLEVELAND, OH April 9 2011 – Cleveland Police are investigating a report that a Charles Dickens Elementary School security guard was attacked by a parent.
The incident reportedly occurred Thursday, April 7th around 4 p.m. at Charles Dickens Elementary School located at E. 131st and Corlett Avenue.
Cops said 25 year old Chrystal Bowens went to the school to pick up her children and while picking up her kids she got into a verbal argument with the security guard. The argument escalated into a physical altercation and as a result of the altercation the security officer received minor injuries and the Bowens was arrested for assault.
Bowens was not seriously injured.
Cleveland Police tells 19 Action News that the guard is a Board of Education security guard, not a Cleveland Police Officer.
Source:WOIO
Alabama teens arrested for serving tainted cheese dip to teacher www.privateofficer.com
Pell City Police Department school resource officer Jessie Burgos said two 15-year-old female students were charged with reckless endangerment and are expected to appear in juvenile court April 15.
Officials say the two girls allegedly prepared a cheese dip laced with cleaning detergent for their family and consumer science class teacher.
Assistant Schools Superintendent Michael Barber said two students were disciplined by the school system and the matter is now left up to the courts.
Barber said the incident happened two and a half weeks ago in a family and consumer science class, where students prepare food.
He said the students mixed liquid detergent in the cheese dip and offered it to the teacher.
“The teacher sampled it, and spit it out,” Barber said.
The tainted dip burned the teacher’s tongue, he said.
Barber said the teacher drove herself to the hospital, where she was treated and released.
“She came back to school and finished the day,” he said. “As far as I know, she didn’t miss a day of work.”
Barber would not comment on the specifics of the discipline the students received, but said it was appropriate.
Source:The Daily Home
TSA admits serious security concerns at Newark International Airport www.privateofficer.com
NEWARK NJ April 9 2011 — Local managers for the Transportation Security Administration on Thursday acknowledged deep-seated security problems, saying “over the course of the past few years, the performance of the TSA here at Newark Liberty International Airport has been on a gradual decline,” according to a document obtained by The Star-Ledger.
The Newark-based managers for the federal TSA acknowledged a series of embarrassing, high-profile lapses have “produced a lack of faith in our ability to provide world class security” in traveler’s minds.
The document, “EWR Commitment to Excellence,” was circulated Thursday among TSA terminal managers, executive staff and more than 100 supervisors during two meetings at the airport. Local TSA managers composed the performance analysis in preparation for the meetings, which were led by TSA Area Director Jim Blair, a senior agency official in charge of airports in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.
The document proposes a long list of recommendations — with an emphasis on hiring and enhanced training — to help local TSA management and employees “re-attain our focus, re-gain our confidence, and re-obtain the trust of those above us and more importantly (the trust) of today’s airline passengers.”
Recommendations for improvement include accelerating local hiring to bring staff up to sufficient levels following the implementation last fall of labor-intensive full body scanners.
For better training, managers urged a revamping of scheduling practices to allow more time to conduct training; scheduling eight hours of training per month for each employee, including nights and weekends; followup observations to ensure retention of skills learned during training; and the assignment of trainers to specific checkpoints and other locations to coordinate training and remediation with employees’ supervisors.
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The managers also recommend disciplinary procedures be centralized, with standardized penalties for specific infractions, and the establishment of a local disciplinary administrative team.
The document notes security operations have “slowly diminished over the past few years.”
“Contributing factors to this decline are understaffing, complacency and lack of focus, lack of direction and guidance, insufficient flow of communications, poor physical design of checkpoints, lack of sufficient down time to conduct training, lack of prioritization skills” and other factors.
Ann Davis, a spokeswoman for the agency, released a statement Thursday saying: “TSA managers and supervisors had a very productive meeting Thursday led by the Area Director and current TSA EWR leadership.
“Together,” Davis’ statement continued, “they reviewed checkpoint security procedures and discussed recommendations to ensure security lapses like those publicized in recent months will not happen again. TSA managers have taken ownership for these issues and are committed to making any changes necessary to ensure the security of the traveling public, improve workforce morale and increase public confidence in TSA at Newark.”
Blair visited Newark Liberty in February, following at least a half-dozen security breaches at the airport during a six-week period beginning Jan. 2. In one incident, a dead dog was loaded onto a Continental Airlines jet, despite not having been screened by the carrier, and was allowed to continue on its way after Newark’s federal security director, Barbara Bonn Powell, deemed there was insufficient risk to call the flight back.
Thursday’s meetings were a followup to the February visit, with the performance written in response to Blair’s request that Newark’s leadership assess the airport’s problems.
Last month, the TSA’s Office of Inspection in Arlington, Va., dispatched a team to Newark Liberty for the first time ever, Davis confirmed.
Special agents from that office interviewed several Newark employees, some of whom blamed the airport’s failings on Powell. The TSA has defended Powell’s performance.
Davis insisted that Powell, who attended Thursday’s meetings, would remain in charge of Newark’s TSA operations.
Some TSA supervisors who attended the meeting, but requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly, said they are skeptical that real changes will be implemented.
Separately, New Jersey’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Frank Lautenberg, has called for an investigation of the TSA in Newark by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general.
Source:NJ.com
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District charged with lewd acts www.privateofficer.com
Sacramento Sheriff’s deputies arrested 38-year-old Christopher Vargas last month on felony charges of lewd acts with a child, and booked him into the Sacramento County Jail.
Detectives say they are concerned there are more victims of Vargas, and are asking anyone who may have had inappropriate contact with him to contact them.
You can call Sacramento Sheriffs at (916) 874-5191.
Source:FOX40
Ohio teacher accused of having child porn www.privateofficer.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio April 9 2011 — A Reynoldsburg teacher and coach was arrested on Thursday morning and charged with receiving child pornography.
Matthew R. Fisher was taken into custody at his home by federal agents, 10TV’s Tanisha Mallett reported.
Fisher, 33, of Pickerington, teaches social studies at Reynoldsburg High School and coaches the district’s eighth-grade girl’s basketball team, officials said.
Reynoldsburg schools said Fisher has taught in the district for 10 years. The district said it was “shocked and disgusted” by the allegations against Fisher. He was placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation, the district said.
In court documents, Fisher admitted that he often downloaded child pornography on his computer. Investigators said Fisher told them he often looked for children over the age of 10.
Fisher appeared in federal court on Thursday afternoon, shackled at the waist and ankles, to face one count of child pornography, 10TV’s Kevin Landers reported.
Court documents showed that Fisher accessed child porn two to three times a week. Investigators have not determined whether any of the images were of children he knew.
“We just don’t know yet,” said Mike Hunter, assistant U.S. Attorney. “(We are) very concerned about that.”
Fisher also told agents that he “recently deleted the child pornography … in an attempt to help himself avoid child pornography.”
The U.S. Attorney’s office said agents investigating child pornography Web sites found evidence that images were being downloaded by a computer at Fisher’s home.
Fisher’s computer was seized during a search on Thursday.
Receipt of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Source:10TVNEWS.com
Hollister’s security injured,shoplifter charged with robbery www.privateofficer.com
Paramus NJ April 9 2011 Police arrested a Paterson man Tuesday at the Garden State Plaza on robbery charges.
Patrolman Frank Piserchia and Patrolman Salvatore Cosentino responded to Hollister in the Garden State Plaza at about 3:30 p.m. after security there reported a robbery, reports said. The security officers told police that they tried to arrest Robert Tejada, 18, for allegedly shoplifting, but he assaulted an officer and fled on foot, reports said.
A guard chased Tejada, and was injured in the struggle to apprehend him, reports said. Mall security turned Tejada over to Paramus Police, who found him to be in possession of stolen property, wire cutters used to remove security tags and a small bag of marijuana, reports said.
Police arrested Tejada and charged him with robbery, possession of marijuana and possession of burglary tools. Tejada was sent to Bergen County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.
American Outlaws motorcyle club president sent to prison www.privateofficer.com
Richmond VA April 9 2011 Jack Rosga, the national president of the American Outlaws Association motorcycle club, was sentenced to 20 years in prison this morning.
Rosga, 54, of Milwaukee, was convicted by a federal jury in Richmond last December of conspiracy to engage in racketeering and conspiracy to commit violence in aid of racketeering and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.
The bearded, graying Rosga, wearing a black- and white-striped jail uniform, quietly declined a chance to address the court moments before the sentence was imposed. He was facing a maximum of 23 years.
Hudson told Rosga, “you declared war on the Hells Angels . . . and it is for that, sir, you are being sentenced today.” Hudson set 20 years for the first count and three years on the second to run concurrently.
Rosga, a self-made businessman, widower and grandfather with no prior criminal convictions, became the leader of the club in 2006. He had a number of witnesses, including former law-enforcement officers, attest to his good character.
“I think the positive side of you deserves some recognition,” said Hudson, explaining why the sentences would run concurrently.
Neil H. MacBride, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said, “Jack Rosga led an outlaw motorcycle gang that was violent at its core.”
“As the gang’s national president, Mr. Rosga declared war on the rival Hell’s Angels and ordered violent acts on rival gang members. Mr. Rosga admitted to undercover federal agents that he expected to go to jail for leading this violent motorcycle gang, and the jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit racketeering and violent acts. He spent decades dedicated to a criminal way of life, and he’ll now spend decades in prison paying for those crimes.”
The last three members of the gang to be sentenced will also appear before Hudson today.
An indictment last year accused 27 bikers, most of them members or former members of the Outlaws and a few with the allied Pagans club, with engaging in attempted murder, kidnapping, assault and other crimes.
Sixteen pleaded guilty, three were acquitted, charges were dismissed against two and one was shot to death in Maine when authorities attempted to arrest him. Five, including Rosga, were convicted in jury trials.
Those charged were members in Maine, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. The indictment alleged the Outlaws used violence to expand their influence and control against rival motorcycle gangs, particularly the Hells Angels.
Authorities alleged the Outlaws wanted to move into central Virginia and challenge the Hells Angels.
The investigation began when undercover agents _ at the invitation of the Outlaws _ established an Outlaws clubhouse in Petersburg.
Source:Richmond Times
Illinois Valley Community College will arm security officers www.privateofficer.com
Oglesby IL April 9 2011 Illinois Valley Community College is going ahead with plans to bring armed security officers to campus, for now.
IVCC board’s facilities committee met Thursday and passed on to the full board the administration’s request to seek request-for-proposals to solicit security services on campus that are armed, unarmed or both.
The administration is hoping that a sworn security presence on campus that is armed will improve safety.
“What we’re leaning toward is more safety,” said IVCC president Jerry Corcoran. “I would feel more comfortable with armed security on campus.”
As do most community colleges, according to a survey conducted by the administration. Of the 35 colleges that participated in the survey, 25 had armed security, nine of which outsourced their security needs.
“Kankakee (Community College) did it in the mid-nineties,” said committee member Larry Huffman. “They tried having their own sworn security but the quality wasn’t there so they switched to an outside security firm and saw a major upgrade.”
Committee member Leslie Englehaupt said she had some serious concerns about bringing armed security to campus such as the impact on standard operating procedures during emergencies, the role the college would play in determining those procedures with a private security force and potential increases in insurance liability.
However, committee chairman Dennis Thompson said more discussion and debate would take place after they receive bids from security companies and that, for now, the goal is to get through the request-for-proposal process.
“One debate we will have to have is what are the pros and cons, economically and in terms of quality and meeting the goal of becoming safer,” he said.
Naval Base Kitsap security nab man exposing himself to children www.privateofficer.com
BANGOR WA April 9 2011 — Naval Base Kitsap security officers believe they’ve arrested a man responsible for allegedly exposing himself to Central Kitsap elementary school students and staff.
The military man allegedly exposed himself to a staff member in the Clear Creek Elementary parking lot on Tuesday, then to Cougar Valley Elementary students at a bus stop on Bangor on Thursday morning. When the school bus arrived, the kids told the driver, who relayed their description of the man’s vehicle to police.
Naval Base Kitsap security officers found the man and arrested him on suspicion of indecent exposure, said base spokesman Tom Danaher. He’s in custody pending charges.
Cougar Valley Principal Chris Visserman contacted parents of students who witnessed the lewd behavior and sent a letter home with all of the Cougar Valley and Clear Creek kids.
“I would like to thank those students who quickly shared information with an adult,” the letter states. “This responsible behavior is typical of Cougar Valley students and enabled us to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a complaint from Clear Creek Elementary on Tuesday, after a staff member saw a person parked in the school parking lot who didn’t appear to be wearing any clothes, said Sheriff’s spokesman Scott Wilson. The Sheriff’s Office and base security are working together on the case.
Source:www.kitsapsun.com
Texas man charged with stealing TV’s from Wal-Mart www.privateofficer.com
Durham police officer charged with kidnapping-rape www.privateofficer.com
DURHAM NC April 9 2011 — Durham police arrested one of its own Friday afternoon on kidnapping and sexual assault charges.
Officers arrested Sergeant Lester Rhodes Police Department’s Professional Standards Division and Criminal Investigations Division investigated a complaint. The alleged incident occurred on April 3 while Rhodes was on duty.
The 42-year-old is charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual offense against a male. Friday afternoon Rhodes was transported to the Durham County Magistrate’s Office for processing.
His bond was set at $1.25 million.
“This is an ongoing investigation and we are not releasing further details at this time to avoid compromising the investigation,” Police Chief Jose L. Lopez, Sr. said.
Rhodes joined the Durham Police Department in February 1996 and is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau. He has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Source:ABC11
