Audit shows Pacific Patrol Services operating with 16 unlicensed guards www.privateofficer.com

 

 

PORTLAND, Ore. Jan 31 2012— An audit has found that 16 security guards for a Portland security company were working without completing their state-required certification.

The August audit of Pacific Patrol Services was prompted by a skateboarder’s complaint to the state Department of Public Safety, Standards and Training. Pacific Patrol provides security for Pioneer Courthouse Square and Director’s Park.

A lawsuit filed against the company by skateboarder Brian Baca was tentatively settled just before a trial was scheduled. Baca alleged he was falsely arrested and battered in 2009 by a security guard who was trying to exclude him from the downtown square.

The Oregonian (http://bit.ly/xnLH8U) reported the guard, who no longer works for the company, was not certified at the time.

Company owner Alan Pendergrass said the certification lapses were an administrative oversight. He said he has agreed to pay half of the proposed $1,000 civil penalty under a stipulated agreement with the state agency.

Company owner Alan Pendergrass says the certification lapses were an administrative oversight.
Baca’s attorney said a central point of the case was Pacific Patrol’s shoddy oversight of its guards. Attorney Tony Schwartz sent a letter Jan. 13 to Mayor Sam Adams and Commissioner Nick Fish, urging them to deny any request by the Pacific Patrol to police other city parks.

Pacific Patrol is among seven private companies that have submitted bids to provide security coverage for 16 additional city parks, between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Pacific Patrol’s attorney, Lee Aronson, said the lapse of certification of guards was due to paperwork not being filed properly.

“I think it was much to do about nothing,” he said.

The company said in court papers that Baca and his friends went to the square to skateboard and catch tricks on film, and knew it wasn’t allowed. According to the documents, the men refused to stop when asked and were the aggressors when guards intervened

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