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“Skill Set Training Model” facilities for private security set to open www.privateofficer.com
PRESS RELEASE Charlotte NC March 15 2013 Private Officer International, a leader in the private security training arena announced today that four regional “Skill Set Training Model” facilities will be established in the United States during the next two years. The first facility, located in Atlanta Georgia will open in September.
The SSTM facilities will include a “Shoot House” and eight scenario based internal and external modules that will simulate the most frequent situations that private security and law enforcement officers are faced with while on duty.
The latest tools and weapons utilizing simunition, laser and defensive weapons and techniques will be taught as part of the SSTM curriculum. The SSTM programs will be available in one-two and five day blocks and Continuing Education Units will be awarded upon successful completion of the course. The facilities will also be wired with the latest audio and video technology to record and playback training activities for assessment and critique which will further enhance the learning experience.
In addition to the campus based programs, the entire eight blocks of training will be available to be brought to secondary locations and train personnel at their office, school, mall or training facility upon request.
The Skill Set Training Model has been used for many years by POI in seminars and classroom training and has been enhanced to accommodate live-hands on- real life training that engages the student to think, respond, confront and overcome the challenges and the dangers of being an officer on the front line in today’s world.
Strategic Partners will be needed to expand this skill based training and inquiries may be made to: helpdesk@privateofficercom
Further information on the new SSTM, locations, opening dates and available courses will be updated regularly at www.privateofficer.com.
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Starting March 1 2013, a number of changes to our forums, news services and training offerings will take effect.
Job Openings-our job postings-openings will increase with top notch positions and top rated companies in the high end markets. Colleges, hospitals, in-house departments, law enforcement, training and management positions.
We will not accept non-management job listings from contract services who are not POI members any longer.
This area will be restricted to POI members or premium members only
News Services-Our news blogs will remain free to all however premium content, area specific news and business news will be restricted to POI members or premium members only.
Training As with any business, we must balance free offerings with our paid services and we will continue to offer some free training content and on-line courses however certifications, diploma programs and premium training will be available to non members at a reasonable price and to members at a discounted fee.
Private Officer International will be announcing a new Premium Service which will allow for any user to subscribe to news, training, services and products about specific areas of security, public safety, loss prevention or private police which will be tailored to the specific needs of the user.
Private Officer International continues to be on the cutting edge of the security-public safety industry and is a leader in an array of related services, products and training.
For comments, questions or to inquire about the Premium Services please contact me at
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The first option is an on-site security training program delivered in a one or two day format.
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A one day and two day on-site course starts with the physical security and scope of authority and duties module, and areas of alertness and basic security awareness.
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Officers injured during Millburn shoplifting incident www.privateofficer.com
Shakeera S. Williams, 20, of East Orange, was arrested and charged with Robbery, Shoplifting, Receiving Stolen Property, Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest and Possession of Fraudulent Government Documents, after a Millburn Police Officer and a Mall at Short Hills Security Officer were approached by an employee of Abercrombie & Fitch, who said a “female had just left the store after concealing merchandise in a bag.”
“It is alleged that when the police officer attempted to place her under arrest she became verbally abusive, attempted to leave the area, struggled and bit the security officer on the arm.
Arrested security guard smuggles gun into jail www.privateofficer.com
He was arrested by Laredo police and somehow the gun went undetected.
Authorities are now looking into how officers could have missed the weapon.
An off duty security officer caught speeding in south Laredo lands in jail, but not before trying to bring his gun with him.
Now Laredo police are explaining how it all happened and sheriff’s officials say they’re sure it could happen again.
“Police officers are human beings. By nature human beings are fallible.”
Human error.
It’s how police say 20-year-old Alfonso Ruiz junior managed to sneak a gun past officers and into the Webb County jail.
Authorities say the off duty security officer was arrested for speeding in south Laredo, clocking in at over 100 miles an hour in a 45 zone.
He was in full uniform but his gun was missing.
“They directly asked him where the weapon was. He denied anything, and as per procedure officers gave him a pat down,” says Joe Baeza.
He was taken to jail, where sheriff’s deputies later realized officers had missed something.
Ruiz was hiding the gun in his underwear.
The sheriff’s department did not fault anyone for the error, but do say officers were put in a serious situation.
“Once a weapon gets into a correctional facility that we don’t know about anything could happen. The safety of the officers surely is in peril,” says Chief Federico Garza.
A sheriff’s department official says it’s not the first time an inmate has smuggled in a weapon into this jail. In the past 25 years, three guns have been found inside.
“There’s no doubt that this happens. Iit won’t be the first or the last like I said, but it’s up to us as administrators to prepare or implement security plans to prevent this from happening.”
Laredo police say the department is not downplaying the potentially deadly incident and will fully investigate officer procedures.
“We’re grateful that nothing did happen but we’re not going to take any chances with the security of our officers out on the field or within our department or any other division.”
Officials with the Webb County Sheriff’s department say a more intensive intake procedure at the jail was implemented last year.
They say without it, it’s possible the weapon could have made it even further into the jail.
As for Ruiz, he will face charges of reckless driving, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of an illegal item in a correctional facility.
He told police he worked for Tenorio security.
Police say he was not licensed to carry a gun.
We tried contacting Tenorio security and their phone lines were busy all afternoon.
And according to the Texas Department of Public Safety website, the company’s insurance is suspended.
Ruiz is also not listed as a current or previous employee with the company.
Church secretary charged with stealing more than $200,000
Dawn Taylor Robinson, 40, of Buchanan, was arrested Thursday, said Haralson County Sheriff Eddie Mixon.
Mixon said the pastor of Victory Fellowship on Hwy 27 in North Bremen became suspicious after one of the church’s checks was returned for insufficient funds.
The Rev. Sidney Garner contacted the sheriff’s department. According to reports filed with the Sheriff’s Office, Robinson may have taken as much as $400,000.
Some of the money was allegedly deposited into an account in Oxford, Ala.
Robinson faces 332 counts of theft by taking and is free from the Haralson County Jail on a $300,000 bond.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation.
Man tried committing suicide with car bomb www.privateofficer.com
Mohave County Sheriff’s officials say 55-year-old James Lyle Pierson, from Washington state, was booked Wednesday on suspicion of disorderly conduct involving a dangerous instrument.
Authorities say Pierson rigged his four-door sedan with propane bottles, gasoline and shotgun shells in an attempt to make the car explode during a crash. But it didn’t go off when he drove off a steep embankment Tuesday night.
Pierson survived, then walked eight miles to Oatman, where he called authorities. He was taken to a hospital where he was treated and later released. Police bomb technicians later rendered the vehicle safe.
Nightclub security officer in coma after assault www.privateofficer.com
Wittman’s best friend Ken Bond says he’s looking at months to years of rehabilitation.
The 37-year-old is in a medically-induced coma. He suffered severe head injuries after police say Gerardo Martinez punched him and kicked him in the head during a bar fight. Police say it started when Martinez and five other guys jumped another customer. When bartenders and the security team tried to escort them out, that’s when they turned even more aggressive.
“I hope he just realizes how his selfishness affects us, affects the family,” says Wittman’s father-in-law Ed Lindquist.
His family says the hardest part is explaining to his three young children why Dad is not around and won’t be for a while.
“Daddy’s sick, he’s in hospital, he got hurt… you can’t go see him right now, and that’s the toughest thing,” says Lindquist.
Doctors will try to wake Wittman in another week to see if he can breathe on his own.
22-year-old Martinez now facing aggravated assault charges.
To donate: Marisol Federal Credit Union Acct #356040, in the name of Jason Wittman
Off-duty corrections officer. security nab robbery suspect www.privateofficer.com
Corrections Officer Doug Herman and his wife were watching their daughters practice at a karate school shortly before 6 p.m. when he looked outside and saw two men running, one of whom was wearing a badge, said Bill Maer, a sheriff’s spokesman.
Herman, armed with his off-duty weapon, joined the pursuit after identifying himself as a law enforcement officer. The man with the badge was a security officer who told Herman the man he was chasing had a knife, Maer said.
Herman saw the fleeing man, later identified as Osvaldo Fornes, 52, of Paterson, throw an object at a retaining wall near Hamburg Turnpike, caught up with the man and held him for Wayne police, Maer said.
Herman found a knife in Fornes pocket, and Wayne police later found a larger knife by the retaining wall, Maer said.
Fornes had been pushing a loaded shopping cart in the store when he was confronted by the security guard, who was not identified, Maer said. The security guard and Fornes scuffled, and Fornes ran out of the store with the guard in pursuit, Maer said.
Fornes was charged with armed robbery, shoplifting, and possession of a weapon, Maer said.
Body of missing 4 yr old found, parents arrested www.privateofficer.com
Layton police said Ethan Stacy’s stepfather, Nathan Sloop, 31, was being charged with aggravated homicide. In addition, Sloop and the boy’s mother, Stephanie Sloop, 27, will be charged with felony child abuse, obstruction of justice and desecration of a corpse, police said.
Stephanie Sloop reported Ethan missing around 9 p.m. Monday, saying he had left his bed and wandered from their apartment complex. Officials said she told them the boy had walked away five of the last 10 nights.
“That appears to have been a ruse by the mother, something to cover the tracks,” said Layton police Lt. Garret Atkin.
Police searched overnight and said that by midday Tuesday, the couple had revealed the location of Ethan’s body. The search then shifted 20 miles away to a spot off a wooded trail in Wolf Canyon, which borders the Powder Mountain ski resort. The resort is about 40 miles northeast of Salt Lake City.
It wasn’t clear as searchers were digging up remains when Ethan was killed or how, police said Tuesday. Five officers were seen carrying a blue bag out of the woods late Tuesday afternoon.
Atkin refused to describe the condition of the boy’s body.
The couple was married only 10 days ago, when Ethan arrived in Utah to spend the summer with his mother, police said. His biological father is in Virginia. His name was not released by police.
Investigators spent the early morning hours Tuesday combing through the Sloops’ cupboards and closets, and through Dumpsters and the area near the apartment complex looking for the boy. Sex offenders in the area were interviewed and had their homes searched, Atkin said.
The Sloops’ story of a barefoot boy wandering outside in his pajamas changed throughout the day, Atkin said.
A Utah State Courts records check found that Nathan Sloop has a string of criminal convictions for misdemeanor and felony crimes — including criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and drug possession — dating back to 2000.
In 2003, he was convicted of third-degree felony drug possession with the intent to manufacture and given a suspended sentence of up to five years in the Utah State Prison. He served 30 days in the Weber County Jail, along with probation. The charge was later amended to a misdemeanor.
No criminal record was found for Stephanie Sloop.
An after-hours message left for the Davis County attorney’s office was not immediately returned Tuesday.
It wasn’t clear when charges would be filed or when the Sloops would make a court appearance. An after-hours message left for the Davis County attorney’s office was not immediately returned Tuesday.
Nobody answered a phone at the Sloops’ apartment late Tuesday, and a message wasn’t returned. Neighbors told reporters the couple were newcomers to the complex.
Richard Gallegos, a defense attorney listed in online court records for Nathan Sloop, didn’t return an after-hours message Tuesday at his office. Gallegos represented Sloop the last time he was in trouble with the law.
SC store clerk killed during robbery www.privateofficer.com
Multiple media outlets reported that the clerk died Monday afternoon after being shot at the store in Bennettsville. Marlboro County Coroner Tim Brown says 44-year-old Samer Hussein died at a local hospital.
Bennettsville Police Chief Larry McNeil says a suspect tried to rob the store late Monday morning and shot the clerk.
Investigators are working on a sketch of a suspect. No arrests have been reported.
Columbia SC Police Chief Fired www.privateofficer.com
Carter was fired Monday morning by City Manager Steve Gantt after only two years with the department. In a letter to his staff, Gantt said he had fired the police chief “in the best interest of the city.”
Hours later, the city announced department veteran Col. Carl Burke had been selected as the interim chief until a suitable replacement was found.
Burke, a Hopkins native, started with the department as a beat cop in 1979 before working his way up to his latest role.
At a news conference, Burke stopped short when it came to Carter’s tenure over the department.
“I would prefer not to comment on what I thought his impact was,” said Burke. “I was very proud to work with Chief Carter, had I thought a very good relationship with each other. I thought he had a good relationship with this department.”
Carter spoke to the media shortly after his termination was made public. He used his time to say he did not tolerate or appreciate outsiders telling him how to run his department.
“I am a professional police chief,” said Carter. “I’ve been police chiefing for about 20 years of my life. I am not a puppet police chief.”
Carter said he’s not angry, but he is concerned that the investigation into the accident involving Mayor-elect Steve Benjamin seems to be managed by City Hall instead of CPD.
“There is no law or protocol for handing over this type of investigation,” said Carter. Mr. Benjamin, until he takes office, is just like any other citizen and investigation was handled appropriately,” Carter said.
In recent weeks, some city officials had questioned whether Carter has lived up to those claims, especially in his approach to the investigation of the accident involving Mayor-elect Steve Benjamin.
Carter insisted from the start that his department could conduct the probe impartially without calling in the South Carolina Highway Patrol. He maintained that position despite criticism from city council members and others who said an outside agency would have to take over to reassure the public.
“I acted within the scope of my authority and sometimes when you do that not everybody agrees with you but the question becomes is it lawful? Is it ethical? If you answer those questions then well yes it is lawful and ethical and I cant be compelled to follow an unethical order,” said Carter.
It all came to ahead last week when Carter reached out to Attorney General Henry McMaster for an opinion on whether or not he could discuss the active investigation with Columbia City Council.
On Friday, McMaster issued an opinion telling Carter the city “would be well within its authority” to order him to transfer the case. McMaster also said the council could approve a new rule that would require the patrol to investigate any other future accidents or traffic offenses involving top city officials.
While Carter has now asked the patrol to review his department’s findings, Gantt is taking a close look at Carter’s performance on this and other issues.
Gantt was caught completely off guard by Carter’s letter to the attorney general. In fact, Gantt said so was city attorney Ken Gaines, who discovered Carter’s request by accident while talking with McMaster’s office about the same issues.
Public Safety director Mike King says he doesn’t know when the search for a permanent chief will begin, or how long that process might take.
King said the city’s priority today was to ensure a quick, easy change of leadership at the police department.
Mayor-elect Benjamin released a statement, saying, “the most well-meaning gesture at a time like this could have unforeseen and unintended long term consequences.”
“Many of us have strong, personal feelings on how this matter has been handled and what should have been done differently,” said Benjamin in the statement. “But now is not the time to let rancor or resentment further divide us.”
Meanwhile, Carter says he plans to file a grievance over his termination.
Man shot-killed while fighting with security www.privateofficer.com
By: RICK MCCANN/STAFF
PRIVATE OFFICER NEWS
http://www.privateofficer.com — Police are investigating an officer involved shooting after an officer shot and killed a man at a grocery store Saturday night.
Authorities say that at about 9 p.m., there was a fight between the man and security guards at the Smith’s Food and Drug, 350 N. Freedom Blvd, KSL-TV reports.
Police were called, and when officers arrived, police say that the man pulled out a gun and an officer shot and killed the man.
Police did not reease details of the original incident involving security or the identity of the man who was killed.
UPDATE
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
A man who was shot and killed by Provo police Saturday after he pointed a gun at officers in a grocery store, had earlier been trying to steal beer from the store, police said.
Ronald Ethington, 35, of Provo, was stopped by a Smith’s employee who saw him shoplifting in the store at 350 N. Freedom Blvd., said Provo police Capt. Cliff Argyle.
When Ethington tried to escape out the front door, the employee caught and restrained him, Argyle said. Ethington fought with him and a second employee stepped in to help.
They pulled him into an office area near customer service. He was still struggling with the employees when two police officers arrived about 8:40 p.m. One of the officers shot a Taser at Ethington, but it had no effect, Argyle said.
Ethington produced an older model .357 revolver and pointed it at police. Both officers fired their guns and hit Ethington.
One of the officers tried to revive him, but Ethington died in the store.
A Smith’s employee hurt his hand in the struggle with Ethington, but no others were injured.
The officers’ names were not released. They are on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the Utah County Officer Involved Incident Protocol Task Force.
Provo police had not had contact with Ethington before, and a search of Utah court records showed he had no criminal history.
His brother said Sunday the family is struggling to understand what occurred as they mourn his death.
“It’s very shocking to us, especially if it’s over a can or bottle or beer that this tragedy has happened,” said Mikel Ethington, of Payson. “He was a great brother and uncle. He would do anything to make the kids laugh. He was very loving with them.”
Little Rock school security supervisor arrested www.privateofficer.com
The Little Rock school district just placed 48 year old Robert Moore on leave as it conducts its own internal investigation. This as Little Rock police are moving forward with a case they say is all caught on camera.
Little Rock schools hire security guards to make sure your children are safe. This week, a security supervisor found himself on the other side of the law.
Police say it happened when Moore hired a new female security guard at the district’s security office.
“He interviewed her, told her she needed to try on some uniforms, she went into a room where the uniforms were,” Lt. Terry Hastings said.
That’s when police say she saw a camera recording her every move.
“She took the tape out of it, finished her interview with Mr. Moore and then left,” Hastings said.
Now the DVD with the evidence is in the hands of investigators.
“It’s unfortunate that sometimes people make bad choices often that result in consequences,” Tiffany Hoffman of Little Rock Schools said.
School officials placed Moore on leave. They don’t believe he’s ever done this.
“The good part is the aspect of his job does not take him into the schools so we don’t believe that any students were in harm’s way,” Hoffman said.
FOX16 went to the home listed as Moore’s address. No one answered the door.
“It kind of causes a bad image when you have this happen to whatever agency is involved in it,” Lt. Hastings said.
Police arrested Moore Wednesday and he got out of jail on a $2500 bond. He’s charged with Video Voyeurism, a Class D felony.
Police would not comment on what was caught on camera. Officers say they have to present it as evidence in court.
Baptist Hospital employee receives prison term in identity theft cases www.privateofficer.com
Stovall was also sentenced to serve 4 years of supervised release upon completion of her prison sentence, the release states. The court also ordered Stovall to pay restitution.
According to the release, Stovall pled guilty on January 29 to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. By law, the aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory sentence of 24 months, which must be served consecutive to the wire fraud sentence, according to the release.
From August 2006 through early 2007, Stovall worked at Baptist Hospital in Montgomery, Ala., the release states.
Stovall’s position gave her access to Baptist Health’s computer system, which contained
confidential patient information, such as the names of patients, their dates of birth and social security numbers. Without lawful authority, Stovall used this information to apply for credit or credit cards over the internet from her work computer, according to a press release.
According to a press release, at the time of her guilty plea, Stovall admitted she used the true name, date of birth, and social security number of a patient on an electronic application for credit with Cato in October 2006.
According to the release, Stovall listed her mailing address as the applicants’ mailing address and submitted the application over the internet. The application was received in Charlotte, North Carolina.
When confronted by investigators, Stovall cooperated with law enforcement, the release states.
San Antonio guard charged with thefts www.privateofficer.com
Arturo Militon Rodriguez of San Antonio was charged with theft of property between $20,000 and $100,000.
The 21-year-old had worked for the security company that picked up the night deposits since December.
Police became aware of the incident when Finish Line sporting goods store in the mall noted a deposit missing in January, according to court documents.
Don Chacon, Victoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy, investigated the case and found other stores were also missing deposits from the Victoria Mall night deposit.
According to the affidavit, Rodriguez said he took only the cash from the deposits and put it in his underwear. He threw away the checks.
He said he took the money to pay bills, according to the documents.
Money was missing from Walmart SuperCenter, Buckle, American Eagle, Finish Line and Kay Jewelers, according to arraignment documents.
Another fan runs onto field-this one in Chicago www.privateofficer.com
Security subdued the man without using a Taser, as the fan “hook-slid, calmly going to his knees in surrender,” the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The incident is notable because there were two similar incidents in Philadelphia earlier in the week, the first of which ended when a police office Tasered the fan on the field. The next night at Citizens Bank Park, Phillies security corralled the offending fan without a Taser. The Phillies announced that they were changing their security policy to keep police officers off the field unless greater force is necessary to remove a fan.
U.S. Cellular Field was the site of the fan attack on Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa in 2002. In the wake of the Gamboa incident, the White Sox pushed for tougher penalties for fans who run on the field, the Chicago Tribune notes.
Three Baltimore police officers charged with kidnapping www.privateofficer.com
An indictment handed up Tuesday also charged the officers with the kidnapping of a West Baltimore teen left on the other side of the city, The Baltimore Sun reported.
The officers, Tyrone S. Francis, 29, Gregory Hellen, 30, and Milton G. Smith III, 32, were members of the Violent Crimes Impact Section. They have been on desk duty for the past year, and a police spokesman said they will be suspended without pay until the criminal charges are resolved.
Michael Brian Johnson Jr., who says he was left in Patapsco Valley State Park, and his family have already filed a lawsuit against the police department. Johnson said he was forced into a van after an exchange of words with one of the officers and then forced out near Ellicott City after the police took his cell phone and shoes and socks. He called 911 from a pay phone and was returned home by Howard County police.
The NAACP said Baltimore police have used similar tactics in incidents that were not reported, sometimes taking alleged gang members and leaving them in a rival gang’s turf.
Kenosha teacher charged with sex assault of student www.privateofficer.com
According to court records, 46-year-old Gregory D. Nelson, of Kenosha, began a personal relationship with the girl, whom he said was depressed and had problems at home and school, while she was a student intern for him in November 2009. He gave her his personal cell phone number and said she could text him after school hours if she was having problems.
Starting in February, he and the then-16-year-old girl reportedly began meeting in the parking lot of a closed grocery store. There, she told police, she would get into his van, where they kissed and engaged in other sexual activity; the two did not have sex, she said.
The investigation began April 30 when two Kenosha Unified School District employees contacted the county’s Child Protective Services department saying they had received anonymous tips that Nelson had an inappropriate relationship with a student.
The student reportedly initially denied having a relationship with the defendant, but on Tuesday she told police that the two had met in the store parking lot several times, and that they had sexual contact in his van. She told police Nelson asked her to have sex, but she said no, and also said that while she told Nelson that she loved him, she did not mean it.
Later Tuesday afternoon Nelson reportedly told police he spoke to the student outside of school hours, but it was to offer help with things like getting along with her parents and “maintaining her temper.”
He admitted meeting the student in the grocery store parking lot, but said all they did was talk. He also reportedly said “I now wish that I would have met with (the student) in a public place like a restaurant or brought somebody with me instead of” parking his van in a vacant lot.
Nelson is charged with four counts of sexual assault of a student by school staff and one count of exposing genitals to a child. If convicted, he could face 24 years imprisonment, which includes time in jail or prison and on extended supervision. His bond was set Wednesday at $75,000 cash, and an initial appearance is scheduled for May 19.
Police said there are no other known victims and Nelson does not have a prior criminal record. An investigation into the incident is continuing.
Nye County DA charged with embezzlement www.privateofficer.com
The Nye County Sheriff’s Office says 49-year-old Beckett is facing 20 counts of fraudulent appropriation of funds, 20 counts of misconduct, as well one count of embezzlement and one count of malfeasance. His bail is set at more than $200,000.
The Nye County Sheriff’s Office alleges that Beckett operated a bad check program through the District Attorney’s Office that collected funds and dispersed them at the sole direction of Beckett. Investigators say a review of the funds showed numerous donations to community organizations and payments to individuals.
