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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
Rivers Casinos settles overtime dispute with security www.privateofficer.com
Pittsburgh PA April 10 2011 Two former security guards have apparently settled a federal overtime lawsuit they filed against Rivers Casino.
Pauline Schaefers of Baden and Holly Kimak of Whitehall claimed they and about 30 other guards weren’t paid overtime for about three months in 2009. The casino denied it had failed to pay them or the other guards overtime for any hours worked over 40 hours per week.
Both sides filed a motion today to dismiss the case. Attorneys for both sides couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Source:www.pittsburghlive.com
Alabama Port Authority receives grant for security needs www.privateofficer.com
MOBILE, Alabama April 10 2011 – Money is flowing into the Alabama Port Authority, to the tune of $450,000. Officials tell FOX10 it’s part of the grant they received from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, and the money’s going toward security measures.
The port makes a more than $7 billion economic impact for the state of Alabama.
“We’ve got to continue to protect our ports from illegals or terrorists. It’s a very important element. Our security expense has gone up from pre 9/11. It was about a million yearly, now we’re spending about seven a year,” said Jimmy Lyons with the Port Authority.
The Alabama State Port Authority said now, thanks to a grant from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, improvements can be made. Lyons said the port is getting around $450,000 from the almost $1.4 million grant. Part of the money is going to the police building at the port.
“We wanted to put a hurricane-proof roof on there and shutters, because if we do have a storm or event we have to keep the facility manned and our police force remains,” Lyons said.
Also, the port’s extensive camera system will be expanded.
“We’ve identified gaps in the camera system, so we’re adding some additional cameras to close those gaps,” said Lyons.
Lyons said the cameras will make monitoring trespassers that much easier. He added the work on the police building is getting underway in the coming weeks while the camera work will get underway in a month or two.
The Mobile Police Department will also benefit from the grant. The department got a new boat designed to fit the needs of Mobile’s Homeland Security officers. It was built by Silver Ships, in Mobile.
The Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service will also get a portion of the grant.
Source:Fox10
Shoplifter charged with attempted murder in stabbing of security agent www.privateofficer.com
Catonsville Md April 10 2011 Baltimore County police have charged an Edmondson Heights man with the stabbing of a security guard at a Catonsville store Thursday.
Police arrested Justin Edwards, 23, of the 900 block of St. Agnes Lane, after the stabbing of the guard at Forman Mills, a discount clothing store in the 5400 block of Baltimore National Pike.
Police say the security officer was stabbed in the abdomen with a knife at 4:21 p.m. Thursday after observing Edwards taking several items from the store without paying for them and confronting him in the parking lot.
Police could not provide the condition of the victim.
Edwards has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault. He is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson.
Off-duty security officer charged with assault in Taser incident www.privateofficer.com
Depending on who you ask, it is either a case of a vigilante who wrongly went too far or a case of a law-abiding security guard who rightly took the law into his own hands.
The case begins with a car crash on Anderson Road. According to the police report, a driver crashed his truck into Michael Wise’s car and then drove away from the crash.
Wise – thinking it was a case of felony hit-and-run – chose to chase after the other driver.
“Yeah, I’m going to follow you,” he told NewsChannel 36. “I am going to make sure the deputies or the law enforcement deals with you.”
According to Wise, he followed the other car down Anderson Road, onto Liberty Road, into Chester County. The chase ended outside the other driver’s home. NewsChannel 36 has chosen not to name the other driver because he has not been charged.
When the chase ended, Wise tells NewsChannel 36 the other driver tried to take a swing at him. In response, Wise grabbed his TASER and fired one shot at the other man’s ankle.
Deputies with the Chester County Sheriff’s Office arrived just after the TASER was used. After a brief investigation, Wise was arrested for using that TASER. He was handcuffed, taken to jail, and charged with second degree assault.
A detective told NewsChannel 36 that Wise had no right to make a citizen’s arrest because no felony crime had been committed.
However, a quick look at South Carolina law shows that the law is not so open-and-shut. In fact, South Carolina state law outlines several ways in which a citizen can legally make an arrest – not just for felonies, but also in cases where the suspect raises “just suspicion” and “flees when he is hailed.”
“I did what I thought was necessary to keep him there for the police to get there,” Wise said. “I feel like I was under my right under the Constitution of South Carolina.”
Complicating the case even further, the other driver was never charged. Because the chase crossed county lines, Chester County handed off the hit-and-run case to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. No charges were ever filed.
Wise has consulted with an attorney. He also has contacted one South Carolina State Senator and he is asking South Carolina Highway Patrol to investigate further.
“I want them to do their job,” he said. “I want them to arrest this man for what he has done.”
The other driver did briefly talk with NewsChannel 36 by phone. He said he is trying to find a lawyer and he did not want to comment.
Source:WCNC
Virginia Special Police Officer found not guilty of impersonating police www.privateofficer.com
Sarah E Chase
ATTORNEY AT LAW, PC
4108 E. Parham Road, Suite 209
Henrico, Virginia 23228
804-864-9422
804-864-9430 FAX
sechaselaw@gmail.com
NEWS RELEASE
Justice prevailed yesterday in a Henrico Circuit Court when William Crawford was exonerated in a case alleging impersonating a police officer. The presiding judge, Honorable Catherine C. Hammond, cut the Commonwealth Attorney off from finishing his closing statement saying this was the weakest case the Commonwealth had ever brought before her in her 12 years on the bench.
Crawford was represented by Attorney Sally Chase, a former Federal Prosecutor now practicing law in Henrico County.
Mr. Crawford and his family’s suffering did not end with the loss their home, possessions, and all of their savings fighting this case. Mr. Crawford, a 16 year veteran of law enforcement and private security, also lost his sterling reputation for honesty and integrity, making him unemployable in the only career he had ever known.
After Mr. Crawford’s June 13th 2010 arrest- Father’s Day- Channel 12 News was told by Henrico Police that Crawford had been charged with “pretending to be one of their own.”
As the court drama played out late yesterday afternoon, Sally Chase was able to call witness after witness proving that nothing could have been further from the truth. Mr. Crawford was found not guilty.
Mr. Crawford’s nightmare began when the complainant, Zahra Lakhani, owner of “Style by Zahra,” called 911 claiming that she was being “harassed by a police.”
911 dispatched officers for a traffic issue. Henrico Officer Mathew S. Stephens turned the case into impersonating a police officer. Officer Stephen’s probable cause to obtain a warrant was that he didn’t think Lakhani would claim Crawford had said he was a police officer if he hadn’t done so.
Attorney Sally Chase explains the case this way:
“The prosecution could not meet the burden of proof established by the statute. Mr. Crawford was a peace officer entitled to wear a badge and use the word “police” on his uniform. Additionally, the evidence proved Mr. Crawford never stated that he was a police officer or attempted to enforce a law outside of his jurisdiction.
“On June 13th, 2010, Crawford was a “S.C.O.P,” a Special Conservator of the Peace through a Richmond City Court as Crawford identified himself when asked- and I want to stress when asked. In other words, Crawford was a court appointed peace officer empowered by the court to wear “Special Police” on his uniform.
Not only was Crawford’s uniform badge clearly marked “Special Police,” the uniform shirt also was clearly marked “S.C.O.P.” and Crawford’s then employer, All Saints Protective Services.”
The encounter between Crawford and Lakhani leading to the 911 call happened as Crawford was arriving home from a day of training. Crawford testified that Lakhani was following so closely in her Mercedes SUV, Crawford’s pregnant wife who was driving, could not safely pull into their apartment complex.
Sex crime suspect commits suicide as police close in www.privateofficer.com
St. Charles LA April 10 2011 A sex-crime suspect shot and killed himself Friday as police arrived at his Boutte house to serve him with an arrest warrant, authorities said.
St. Charles Parish sheriff’s deputies were approaching the house at 653 Magnolia Ridge Road to arrest Louis Morales Sr., 66, when they heard shots about 2 p.m., Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange said. They backed off, called in the SWAT team and summoned an armored vehicle for protection and to help evacuate tenants of a nearby house.
For more than three hours, they sought to contact Morales inside his house. Finally around 5:45 p.m., deputies entered the house and soon called for a gurney. They emerged with it carrying what is presumed to be a body.They said it was Morales, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He had been alone in the house.
Several of Morales’ relatives live nearby but would not discuss what happened.
Morales was recently released from jail on bond after being arrested March 11 on nine counts of aggravated rape, molestation of a juvenile, oral sexual battery and sexual battery, according to public records. Authorities said he raped a family member several times over several years and coerced a family acquaintance into performing sex acts by purporting to be a police officer and threatening to jail her if she did not comply.
Source:NOLA
Woman charged with DUI shows up at court drunk www.privateofficer.com
Washington Township Municipal Court security officer Michael Hade noticed Joan Borg, 53, in court and detected that she was intoxicated, Niemynski said. Hade then made the observation that Borg was alone and had driven herself to the court appointment, and requested she take an Alcotest, Niemynski said.
Borg refused to submit breath samples, Niemynski said, and was arrested and transported to Washington Township Police Headquarters. Borg was charged with driving while intoxicated and refusal to take of breath samples. She was processed and released pending a court appearance.
Borg was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated on Feb. 11, and again for driving under the influence on March 11 after allegedly causing an accident in Chester.
Security officer shoots-kills armed robbery suspect www.privateofficer.com
An unidentified robber believed to be a member of a gang was shot to death when he and his companion attempted to rob a person leaving a local restuarant Friday night.
City police disclosed that the suspect was armed with a .38 Revolver and had pointed at a security officer who was patrolling in the area and spotted the robbery.
The suspect attempted to shoot the security guard and the guard returned fire, a police spokesperson said.
The security guard noticed a man holding a gun on another person and when he approached to investigate further the identified armed assailant began shooting at the security guard and the guard returned fire killed the identified man. The second man fled and police are still searching for him.
The security guard and the intended robbery victim escaped unharmed.
Off-duty police officer working security kills robbery suspect www.privateofficer.com
YOUNGSTOWN OH April 10 2011 – An off-duty police officer working security at a North Side restaurant shot and killed a man early Friday evening.
Chief of Detectives Capt. Rod Foley said the man was trying to rob the Galaxy Seafood Restaurant, 1722 Belmont Ave., just before 6:30 p.m.
Foley said the man had a gun, but he is not sure if he pointed it at anyone. He said the officer was working an off-duty security detail at the restaurant.
The robber was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where he died. Foley said police were working to identify the man through his tattoos.
There was only one robber involved, and no one else was injured, Foley said.
About a dozen people – including customers and employees – were taken to the police station to be questioned by detectives.
Foley refused to release the name of the officer involved. He said more information could be released today.
The robber’s jacket could be seen on the floor of the restaurant as detectives scoured inside and outside of building for clues. Patrons walking into the Avalon Gardens restaurant across could not help but gawk at the heavy police presence, which included at least eight cruisers as well as several unmarked vehicles.
Kathy Fanfer, a waitress at Avalon Gardens, was watching police. She said there has not been a lot of trouble in the neighborhood lately.
”It’s been quiet lately. It really has,” Fanfer said.
She said several restaurants and businesses in the neighborhood have their own security, which has cut down on crime.
A woman at the scene said her brother, Cory Love, owns the restaurant and her niece, Love’s daughter, was working at the time. She said Love has owned the restaurant for about a year.
Police were last involved in a shooting on Jan. 3, 2010, when 47-year-old Pharoah Tutt was killed after he opened fire on officers and tried running several over with his SUV.
Officers shot him numerous times at the Eastwood Apartment complex on Eastway Drive.
Source:Trib today
Cincinnati police lieutenant injured by mean Canadian goose www.privateofficer.com
Cincinnati OH April 10 2011 – A Cincinnati police lieutenant who was out riding a bike on patrol through the Jordan Crossing strip mall Friday evening reportedly was ambushed by a male Canada goose protecting its mate and their nest, somehow knocking him from his bike and into a plate-glass window, seriously cutting his arm.
Lt. Michael Savard’s injuries required stitches, but he was expected to be released from the hospital Friday night, said Cincinnati police Capt. Jeff Butler, though Butler said he did not have details about how he was injured.
Jordan Crossing security guard Orlando Smith said he was informed the lieutenant had been attacked by a goose, which this time of year can generally be found standing on the roof of the single-story strip mall, keeping a watchful eye on individuals who might bother his mate and their nest, which she built in a square planter in the center of the open-air strip mall.
“He can be intimidating,” Smith said of the male, adding that for the three years he’s worked security at the mall, several Canada geese have come to Jordan Crossing to nest. This year, the nest the lieutenant was near contains just one egg, he said.
“This is their place,” Smith said, “but people always mess with the geese.”
Jordan Crossing maintenance man David Montgomery was called to clean up the broken glass and seal up the window.
He was told by people who witnessed the accident that the officer was riding his bike toward the female goose’s nest when the male swooped down on him.
“No one is supposed to ride bikes through here,” Montgomery said. “There are signs posted.”
He said it’s certainly one of the strangest things he’s heard about working there, but added that the mall put a chain-link fence up around the mother goose and her egg because the geese can be aggressive.
Source:Cincinnati.com
Louisville teen saves child from drowning www.privateofficer.com
Jacksonville Housing Authority employee charged with $30,000 theft www.privateofficer.com
Jacksonville Fla April 10 2011 A 40-year-old St. Augustine man has been charged with employee theft after close to $30,000 was stolen from the Jacksonville Housing Authority.
A police report said Quentin Brett Miller was fired Feb. 7 and initially agreed to pay back $27,045 in lieu of criminal charges, signing an agreement witnessed by the housing authority’s chief executive officer, Ronnie Ferguson.
After discussion with a lawyer, Ferguson asked Miller to sign a new agreement that rescinded the original. Miller was arrested Tuesday.
Police said a check of housing authority records uncovered the stolen funds. Since Aug. 22, 2007, nine checks were written to Miller, his boyfriend, a company and three of his co-workers, according to the arrest report. The co-workers were unaware their names had been forged.
The checks were deposited into a joint bank account Miller had with his roommate.
Miller told police the first check was written after his boyfriend was laid off. In a financial bind, Miller told police he had to sell his house, then had medical issues and several surgeries. As the bills piled up, he paid the legal fees after his boyfriend was arrested on domestic battery.
According to the arrest report, Miller told police he “regrets disappointing everyone” and wants to pay the money back.
Source:Jacksonville.com
Huntsville High School teacher charged with improper student relationship www.privateofficer.com
Huntsville TX April 10 2011 24-year-old Cody Durden, a physics teacher at Huntsville High School, turned himself into police Friday afternoon.
Investigators issued an arrest warrant for Durden on April 4, after an investigation into an improper relationship at a Huntsville I.S.D. school.
No bond has been set.
Durden is on administrative leave pending the outcome of this case.
Improper Relationship between an Educator/Student is a Felony of the second degree and is punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 20 years with the additional possibility of up to a $10,000 fine.
Source:KBTX
City of Winter Haven employee steals brass hex nuts www.privateofficer.com
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. April 10 2011 – Winter Haven Police have arrested a City of Winter Haven employee for grand theft and dealing in stolen property after an investigation uncovered he was in possession of brass hex nuts that were reported stolen on Feb. 28, 2011 from the City’s Utility Department. The brass hex nuts are couplings used to connect water meters.
Investigators checked area scrap yards and found numerous occasions where large quantities of brass items were sold by the nephew of city employee Paul May, 46. May’s nephew had been scrapping brass since January 21, 2011 totaling $3,610.
Investigators and a Utilities Department representative went to May’s home and found several buckets that contained hex nuts. May admitted that he didn’t have permission to take the brass hex nuts. The remaining buckets that were still on his property with an estimated value (if scrapped) of $1,847 were recovered by officials.
The actual value was undetermined due to the inability to confirm the exact amount of hex nuts recovered since they were dismantled into separate pieces.
The investigation continues, which may lead to additional charges.
Source:WOFL FOX 35
Atlanta doctor arrested for having child porn www.privateofficer.com
ATLANTA GA April 10 2011 (AP) — A Cobb County ear, nose and throat doctor has been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography.
Andrew Sutton, 48, was arrested on March 21 on federal charges. A magistrate ordered Wednesday that he be held without bond.
Prosecutors say Sutton asked an undercover officer who posed as a mother of two children for nude photos of the kids and then transmitted images of child porn to the undercover agent.
They also say police seized computers and hard drives at Sutton’s home and found more images of child pornography.
Sutton has pleaded not guilty.
