EXPERT TESTIMONY
PRESENTED BY IRA A. LIPMAN
CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT
GUARDSMARK, INC.
TO THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE
CRIME AND CORRECTION COMMITTEE
STATE OFFICE BUILDING
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
FEBRUARY 23, 1989

MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE:
I APPRECIATE YOUR INVITATION TO TESTIFY AT THIS HEARING. I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER IN THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY, AND I CARE ABOUT IT DEEPLY.
I FOUNDED GUARDSMARK IN 1963 AND BUILT IT FROM SCRATCH INTO A $100 MILLION-A-YEAR-FIRM BY OFFERING THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES. GUARDSMARK IS NOW THE SIXTH LARGEST PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, OUT OF MORE THAN 13,000, INCLUDING THE “MOM AND POP” OPERATIONS.
WE HAVE 8,000 EMPLOYEES IN 79 OFFICES SPREAD THROUGHOUT 47 STATES COAST-TO-COAST. WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST NATIONAL PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES IN NEW YORK, AND WE HAVE OPERATED HERE FOR 20 YEARS.
IN THE 25 YEARS THAT I HAVE STUDIED THIS INDUSTRY, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANGES, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE NEW POSITION THAT PRIVATE SECURITY IS ASSUMING IN OUR SOCIETY.
PRIVATE SECURITY WAS ALWAYS THOUGHT OF AS A KIND OF UNSOPHISTICATED POLICE FORCE-AN ORPHAN-OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE, AND PERCEPTION IS BEGINNING TO CATCH UP WITH REALITY. THE INCREASING PROFESSIONALISM AT THE TOP END OF THE INDUSTRY HAS ENABLED IT TO FILL THE SECURITY GAP CAUSED BY METEORIC CRIME RATES AND INSUFFICIENT FUNDING OF PUBLIC POLICE FORCES.
BY FILLING THAT NEED, PRIVATE SECURITY HAS ALLOWED THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF LIMITED PUBLIC RESOURCES AS PUBLIC POLICE FORCES CONCENTRATE ON AREAS WHERE THEY CAN BE USED MOST EFFECTIVELY. AS A RESULT, TAXES ARE MUCH LOWER THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE SECURITY WE NEED.
THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY DESERVES TO
BE RECOGNIZED, AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF PRIVATE SECURITY TO SOCIETY AND TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE RE-EXAMINED IN THIS LIGHT.
BUT THERE IS A TIME BOMB TICKING AWAY, AND THE SOUND GROWS LOUDER WITH EVERY DAY THAT PASSES.
THE RAPID GROWTH OF PRIVATE SECURITY-AND I USE THAT TERM TO INCLUDE PROPRIETARY SECURITY-HAS BEEN SCHIZOPHRENIC. AT ONE END OF THE INDUSTRY, THERE IS GREAT AND INCREASING PROFESSIONALISM. BUT AT THE OTHER END THERE IS AN EVER-GROWING MASS OF UNSCRUPULOUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE COMPANIES TO WHOM SECURITY IS MERELY A PASSWORD TO PROFITS.
THROUGHOUT MY CAREER I HAVE MADE IT A PRIORITY TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY AND THAT IS WHY I AM HERE TODAY.
MOST BUSINESS OWNERS DO NOT SEEK GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF THEIR INDUSTRY. BUT THE TIME IS LONG PAST FOR ALLOWING THE SELF-INTEREST OF THE FEW TO OUTWEIGH TILE PUBLIC INTEREST OF THE MANY.
THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY HAS FAILED AT SELF-REGULATION. IT HAS FAILED TO IMPOSE, ENFORCE, OR EVEN AGREE ON, MINIMUM STANDARDS. IT HAS FAILED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND IN DOING SO, IT HAS FAILED TO PROTECT ITS OWN INTERESTS.
IT NEEDS REGULATION. IT DESERVES REGULATION. AND I BELIEVE IT WILL GET BETTER ATTENTION AND BETTER REGULATION.
GUARDSMARK SUPPORTS BILL NUMBER S.266, “AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION TO LICENSING PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS,” AS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
HOWEVER, IT FALLS SHORT OF PUTTING NEW YORK IN THE FOREFRONT OF STATES THAT HAVE ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF PRIVATE SECURITY STANDARDS.
AND IT IS A VERY SMALL STEP IN WHAT WILL PROVE TO BE A VERY LONG JOURNEY.
BEFORE I ADDRESS THE PARTICULARS OF THE BILL, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU MY PERSPECTIVE AS THE OWNER OF A PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICE COMPANY.
MOST INDUSTRIES TODAY HAVE ESTABLISHED STANDARDS FOR ENTRY-LEVEL PRACTITIONERS. IF YOU USE THE SERVICES OF A C.P.A. OR A PLUMBER, A BARBER OR AN ELECTRICIAN, YOU ARE ASSURED THAT KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONALS HAVE TESTED THEM, THAT THEY HAVE PASSED A COURSE OF STUDY, THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY PROFICIENT IN WHAT THEY DO.
NONE OF THAT IS TRUE IN PRIVATE SECURITY. WHILE THERE IS A RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR EXECUTIVE- AND MANAGEMENT- LEVEL PROFESSIONALS, THERE IS NOTHING SIMILAR FOR PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS. IN MANY COMPANIES, THEY CAN BEGIN WORK AS SOON AS THEY PUT ON THEIR UNIFORMS, AND THEY PUT ON THEIR UNIFORMS THE SAME DAY
AS THEY APPLY FOR A JOB. A PERSON MAY BE UNEMPLOYED IN THE MORNING, BUT BY LUNCHTIME, HE OR SHE IS UNIFORMED AND ON ASSIGNMENT. THIRTY, OR SIXTY, OR NINETY DAYS LATER-IN SOME STATES, SIX MONTHS LATER, IF THE STATE CHECKS CRIMINAL RECORDS AT ALL-THE EMPLOYER MAY BE TOLD THE SECURITY OFFICER IN QUESTION IS DISQUALIFIED FROM WORKING AS A SECURITY OFFICER. THE COMPANY LETS HIM OR HER GO, AND HIRES THE NEXT PERSON OFF THE STREET.
THIS PATTERN IS REPEATED EVERY DAY, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT IS REPEATED RIGHT HERE IN NEW YORK, SINCE THE STATE OFTEN TAKES 90 DAYS TO RUN A CHECK OF CRIMINAL RECORDS.
IN NO OTHER INDUSTRY CAN A CONVICTED FELON GET A POSITION OF TRUST SO EASILY AS IN PRIVATE SECURITY. BUT THAT IS NOT THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM WE FACE. TOO MANY OF TODAY’S SECURITY OFFICERS ARE VIOLENT, PSYCHOTIC, MALADJUSTED, AND UNEDUCATED. WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING OR SUPERVISION, THEY ARE THRUST INTO SITUATIONS THEY CANNOT
HANDLE, AND FACE TEMPTATIONS THEY CANNOT RESIST. ANTI-SOCIAL, THEY ARE ASKED TO PROTECT SOCIETY. HATING AUTHORITY, THEY ARE ASKED TO PRESERVE IT. PERSONS AS VIOLENT AS ANY WHO RAVAGED THE WILD WEST ARE GIVEN GUNS AND AMMUNITION.
IT IS A TRAGIC SITUATION, WITH TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES.
THE CAUSE IS GREED.
GREED ON THE PART OF THE OWNERS OF PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES WHO REFUSE TO SCREEN THEIR APPLICANTS, FAIL TO TRAIN THEM PROPERLY, AND NEGLECT TO SUPERVISE THEM. THOSE THINGS ALL COST MONEY, AND THESE OWNERS ARE IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY, NOT TO SPEND IT. THEY HIRE THE WORST APPLICANTS, THEY PAY THE WORST WAGES, AND THEY OFFER THE WORST SERVICE.
GREED IS WHY THEY EXIST, AND GREED IS WHY THEY SURVIVE. MANY SECTORS OF BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNMENT-BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT
ENLIGHTENED-CONTINUE TO HIRE THE CHEAPEST SECURITY SERVICE AVAILABLE TO SAVE BUDGET DOLLARS, AND THIS FALSE SENSE OF ECONOMY ALLOWS THESE IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNPROFESSIONAL PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES TO CONTINUE THEIR BLIGHT ON THE INDUSTRY.
THE URGENCY OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IS REINFORCED EVERY TIME A SECURITY OFFICER IS ARRESTED FOR MURDER, RAPE, ARSON, OR THEFT. CASES OF NEGLIGENCE OR STUPIDITY GO ALMOST UNNOTICED AMIDST THE MORE SPECTACULAR INSTANCES OF SECURITY OFFICER MISCONDUCT.
I DO NOT WISH TO DISPARAGE THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY. MOST SECURITY OFFICERS TODAY ARE HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE, HARD-WORKING, DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS. IT IS THEIR MISFORTUNE-AS WELL AS OURS-THAT A DANGEROUS MINORITY LOWERS THE GENERAL ESTEEM IN WHICH ALL SECURITY PROFESSIONALS SHOULD BE HELD.
STANDARDS IN THE INDUSTRY MUST BE RAISED, AND THEY MUST BE RAISED SOON. GIVEN CURRENT TRENDS, THE SITUATION CAN ONLY GROW WORSE.
THREE TRENDS IN PARTICULAR ARE WORTH NOTING.
THE FIRST IS PRIVATIZATION.
INCREASINGLY, THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IS TAKING OVER RESPONSIBILITIES ONCE CONSIDERED FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC POLICE FORCES. AMBULANCE SERVICES, ENFORCEMENT OF PARKING REGULATIONS, PATROLLING OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOUSING PROJECTS ARE EXAMPLES. SOME ENTIRE COMMUNITIES HAVE DISBANDED THEIR POLICE FORCES AND HIRED PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES IN THEIR PLACE.
THE PRIVATIZATION TREND IS ACCELERATING AS PUBLIC BUDGETS CONTINUE TO TIGHTEN. ALREADY THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES IS DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. VIRGINIA IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THIS ACCELERATING TREND. BY 1995, THE CURRENT RATIO OF 2.7 PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL TO 1 PUBLIC POLICE OFFICER IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A 5-TO-1 RATIO. IN NEW YORK STATE ALONE, THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 100,000 PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS, A
NUMBER THAT IS CERTAIN TO GROW AS COMMUNITIES EXAMINE HOW TO SPEND THEIR REVENUES MORE EFFECTIVELY.
THE SECOND TREND IS ONE WE’RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH: RISING CRIME RATES. AND JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR PRIVATE SECURITY IS THE FEAR OF CRIME.
WHETHER CRIME RATES ARE UP OR DOWN FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE HISTORICAL TREND AND THE PUBLIC’S PERCEPTION OF IT. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT RISING CRIME RATES HAVE FUELED THE GROWTH OF PRIVATE SECURITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
COMPANIES HAVE TURNED TO PRIVATE SECURITY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE POLICE ARE ALREADY STRETCHED THIN DUE TO RISING CRIME AND AUSTERITY BUDGETS.
THESE TWO TRENDS-PRIVATIZATION AND RISING CRIME RATES-HAVE CREATED AND WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE GREAT DEMAND FOR PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES. BUT EVEN AS THE DEMAND GROWS, WE’RE SEEING A
THIRD TREND-A LABOR SHORTAGE-THAT WILL LEAD TO AN EFFECTIVE LOWERING OF STANDARDS.
THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS PROJECT’S THAT BY THE YEAR 2000, THE NUMBER OF MALE WORKERS AGED 20 TO 24 WILL DECLINE BY 14 PERCENT COMPARED TO 1986. THE NUMBER OF FEMALE WORKERS IN THE SAME AGE GROUP WILL DECLINE BY 7.5 PERCENT. IN NEW YORK CITY IN 1980, THE NUMBER OF PERSONS AGED 15 TO 19 WAS 563,000. BY 1990, THERE WILL BE ONLY 444,500-A DROP OF 21 PERCENT.
WHILE THE ENTRY-LEVEL LABOR FORCE IS DECLINING, THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF GUARD OPENINGS BETWEEN 1986 AND THE YEAR 2000 WILL BE 48.3 PERCENT!
THERE WILL BE FIERCE COMPETITION FOR THE AVAILABLE WORKERS, AND WAGE RATES WILL TEND TO RISE. BUT THOSE PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES THAT HAVE ALWAYS MADE THEIR PROFIT BY PAYING BOTTOM DOLLAR TO PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT FIND EMPLOYMENT IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY WILL
BE FORCED TO HIRE APPLICANTS EVEN THEY WOULD HAVE REJECTED IN TODAY’S LABOR MARKET. THESE COMPANIES WILL REMEMBER THEIR CURRENT CROP OF MISFITS AND MALCONTENTS AS A GOLDEN AGE OF LABOR.
AT A TIME WHEN THERE IS AN EVER GREATER CALL FOR HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL, WELL-TRAINED, DEDICATED PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS, BOTH DEMOGRAPHICS AND ECONOMICS WILL MOVE THE INDUSTRY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.
IF THE STATES DO NOT ENFORCE EFFECTIVE STANDARDS, THE PUBLIC WILL SUFFER.
PRIVATE SECURITY STANDARDS-OR THE LACK OF THEM-ARE NOT A PRIVATE MATTER, BUT ONE THAT CLOSELY CONCERNS AND INVOLVES THE PUBLIC. IT IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC POLICY, BECAUSE PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS ARE INCREASINGLY IN POSITIONS OF PUBLIC TRUST. AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING PROTECTED FROM PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS.
TO CHANGE THE CURRENT SITUATION, STRICTER STANDARDS SHOULD BE REQUIRED THAN ARE CONTAINED IN THE PROPOSED BILL.
FIRST-AND CERTAINLY FIRST IN PRIORITY-IS QUICK COMPLETION OF A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK. AS STATED EARLIER, NEW YORK STATE FREQUENTLY TAKES 90 DAYS TO INFORM A PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANY THAT AN OFFICER IS DISQUALIFIED. THAT IS 90 DAYS THAT A CONVICTED FELON MAY BE WORKING AS A TRUSTED PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICER, WITH ACCESS TO FINANCIAL REPORTS, PERSONNEL RECORDS, AND HIGHLY VALUABLE PROPERTY.
THAT IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE POSITION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED DISRESPECT FOR THE LAW, AN INABILITY TO RESIST TEMPTATION, OR A LACK OF SELF-CONTROL.
PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES ARE DENIED ACCESS TO CRIMINAL RECORDS AND HAVE NO RECOURSE BEYOND WAITING FOR THE BUREAUCRACY OF STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GRIND OUT A RESPONSE.
THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WILL COME WHEN THE FBI’S INTERSTATE IDENTIFICATION INDEX BECOMES FULLY OPERATIONAL, AND PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO THE DATA BASE THROUGH STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES.
NEW YORK CANNOT IX) ANYTHING ABOUT THE DELAYS IN RECEIVING A RESPONSE FROM THE FBI, BUT IT CAN ENSURE THAT THE DELAY IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE STATE. THE BILL BEFORE THE COMMITTEE WOULD ALLOW THE LICENSING AUTHORITY 120 DAYS TO ACT ON A SECURITY OFFICER APPLICATION. THAT PROVISION WOULD DO NOTHING TO CUT DOWN ON THE 60 TO 90 DAYS THAT IT CURRENTLY TAKES TO COMPLETE A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK. THIS COULD BE REMEDIED IF THE STATE POLICE RECORD CHECK WERE COMPLETED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OR WITHIN 30 DAYS AS IN SOME OTHER STATES.
THE SECOND STANDARD WOULD REQUIRE A MORE ACTIVE AND DOCUMENTED BACKGROUND CHECK. THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO MAKE “REASONABLE AND PRUDENT INQUIRIES” TO DETERMINE IF AN APPLICANT MET THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.
BUT THE INABILITY OF THE STATE TO PROVIDE A QUICK RESPONSE ON A CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK MAKES A THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT. UNEXPLAINED GAPS IN EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENCE RECORDS ARE KEY INDICATORS OF A PROBLEM, POSSIBLY TIME SPENT IN PRISON. BUT THE BILL WOULD NOT REQUIRE THAT THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION INCLUDE CHECKING OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENCE RECORDS.
THE THIRD STANDARD WOULD REQUIRE PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, USING THE MINNESOTA MULTIPHASIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY-KNOWN AS THE MMPI- OR ANOTHER TEST THAT IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AND ACCEPTED.
WHILE A PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST LIKE THE MMPI MAY NOT BE USED FOR HIRING PURPOSES, IT IS AN INVALUABLE TOOL IN HELPING TO ENSURE THAT NEW HIRES ARE NOT PLACED IN POSITIONS THAT EXCEED THEIR ABILITY TO COPE.
THE BILL BEFORE THE COMMITTEE BASICALLY REQUIRES THAT AN APPLICANT
FOR A REGISTRATION CARD OR A TEMPORARY PERMIT NOT HAVE BEEN DECLARED INSANE. BUT THERE ARE COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF PEOPLE-WHO HAVE NOT BEEN DECLARED INSANE-WHO HEAR VOICES, HAVE VISIONS, BECOME EXCITED AT THE SIGHT OF A FIRE, OR THINK THEY ARE BEING PERSECUTED.
IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF ALL CONCERNED THESE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE, EMPLOYERS, POLICE, AND THE PUBLIC ITSELF-THAT SUCH PEOPLE DO NOT HOLD POSITIONS AS SECURITY OFFICERS. YET PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING IS NOT THE RULE IN THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY, BUT THE EXCEPTION.
HISTORY HAS SHOWN US THAT THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN GENERAL WILL GO NO FURTHER THAN THE LAW REQUIRES TO ENSURE THAT SECURITY OFFICERS HAVE A FAIRLY NORMAL PERCEPTION OF REALITY. THE BILL SHOULD REQUIRE THAT EMPLOYERS OF PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS MAKE SOME POSITIVE EFFORT TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT THEIR NEW SECURITY OFFICERS ARE WALKING TIME BOMBS.
THE FOURTH STANDARD THAT SHOULD BE ENFORCED IS SOME MINIMUM OF EDUCATION. THE BILL REQUIRES NONE OF THE UNARMED SECURITY OFFICERS. BUT SECURITY OFFICERS TODAY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN ACTING AS BOUNCERS AT SPORTING EVENTS. THEY MONITOR AND USE HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT. THEY MUST KNOW HOW TO HANDLE NUMEROUS KINDS OF EMERGENCIES. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LIFE- SAFETY, THEY MAN COMPLEX FIRE COMMAND STATIONS IN HIGH-RISE OFFICE BUILDINGS, AND THEY ACT AS PART OF THE DESIGNATED FIRE BRIGADES MANDATED BY LOCAL ORDINANCES. THEY MUST BE ABLE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS THAT COVER PROPER PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN SCORES OF SITUATIONS.
TO REQUIRE NO MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL LEVEL IS TO ENDORSE THE HIRING OF THOUSANDS OF ILLITERATE AND INCOMPETENT INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL MASQUERADE AS SECURITY OFFICERS.
THE FIFTH NECESSARY STANDARD IS A DECENT LEVEL OF TRAINING. WHAT THE BILL REQUIRES IS A BARE MINIMUM THAT MUST BE REGARDED AS
INADEQUATE, ESPECIALLY FOR ARMED SECURITY OFFICERS. PROPER SCREENING IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN TRAINING IN RAISING THE QUALITY OF THE INDUSTRY, BUT INADEQUATE OR NONEXISTENT TRAINING IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MAJOR CAUSES OF PROBLEMS WITH SECURITY OFFICERS.
THESE ARE THE STANDARDS TO WHICH THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY SHOULD BE HELD, BOTH HERE IN NEW YORK AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
BUT THERE IS ONE FURTHER STEP THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN ON THIS LONG JOURNEY IN THE CREATION OF A HIGH-QUALITY PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY.
IT SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN, EITHER THROUGH THIS BILL OR BY OTHER APPROPRIATE MEANS, THAT THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IS NO LONGER TO BE THE DUMPING GROUNDS OF THE STATE’S PRISONS AND INSTITUTIONS- THAT WE ARE NOT SOCIETY’S EMPLOYER OF LAST RESORT-THAT THE UNQUALIFIED, THE UNFIT, AND THE UNSAVORY SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO BECOME SECURITY OFFICERS SIMPLY BECAUSE NO OTHER INDUSTRY WILL ACCEPT THEM.
THAT STATEMENT WOULD RING CLEAR BY EXEMPTING THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY FROM STATE EMPLOYMENT LAWS AND PRIVACY LAWS FOR THE PURPOSES OF SCREENING APPLICANTS.
I’LL GIVE YOU TWO EXAMPLES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST OCCURRED IN BROOKLYN LAST APRIL WHEN A SECURITY OFFICER WAS ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF A YOUNG MANHATTAN GIRL. THE GUARD HAD PREVIOUSLY SERVED 18 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR ARMED ROBBERY. BUT THE COMPANY THAT HIRED HIM WAS NEVER TOLD BY THE STATE THAT HE WAS NOT QUALIF IED TO BE A SECURITY OFFICER, BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN DECLARED REHABILITATED AND GRANTED A CERTIFICATE OF RELIEF FROM CRIMINAL DISABILITY, WHICH BLOCKED THE RELEASE OF HIS CRIMINAL RECORD.
THERE IS NO DOUBT IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR FORMER CONVICTS TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT. BUT THE PUBLIC INTEREST ALSO REQUIRES THAT THEY DO NOT BECOME SECURITY OFFICERS.
THE SECOND EXAMPLE IS FROM ANOTHER STATE AND IT INVOLVES MY OWN COMPANY, GUARDSMARK. THE STATE IN QUESTION IS TRYING TO FORCE US TO DROP OUR PROHIBITION ON THE HIRING OF ANYONE WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD. THEY FIND IT DISCRIMINATORY.
TO DATE, GUARDSMARK HAS SPENT $300,000 IN THIS FIGHT TO PRESERVE OUR STANDARDS FROM DILUTION BY WELL-MEANING, SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT EXCELLENCE MEANS IN TERMS OF PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES.
THESE ARE ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF MANY INSTANCES IN WHICH GOVERNMENT HAS SEEMED TO GO OUT OF ITS WAY TO MAKE THE JOB OF CREATING EXCELLENCE IN PRIVATE SECURITY MORE DIFFICULT THAN IT ALREADY IS.
AND IT IS A GIANT TASK. HISTORICALLY LOW WAGES IN THE INDUSTRY FORCE US TO FIGHT CONSTANTLY TO CONVINCE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY THAT
EXCELLENCE MUST BEAR ITS PRICE, AND THAT MINIMUM WAGE MEANS MINIMUM QUALITY.
HIGH-QUALITY SECURITY SERVICES DO NOT COME EASY. SINCE 1976 EVERY NEW EMPLOYEE OF GUARDSMARK HAS BEEN ADMINISTERED THE MMPI-THE MINNESOTA MULTIPHASIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY-AT A COST OF $2 MILLION. EVERY EMPLOYEE HAS UNDERGONE A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION THAT GOES BACK 10 YEARS. EVERY NEW SECURITY OFFICER HAS RECEIVED THE BEST TRAINING IN THE INDUSTRY. AND OUR EMPHASIS ON PROFESSIONALISM HAS GIVEN US THE BEST EDUCATED SECURITY FORCE IN THE INDUSTRY: OF HOURLY EMPLOYEES, 6.9 PERCENT ARE COLLEGE GRADUATES AND 15.8 PERCENT HAVE ATTENDED COLLEGE, EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER JOINING GUARDSMARK.
AND GUARDSMARK HAS TAKEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
NO COMPANY IS PERFECT. NO PROCEDURES ARE FOOL-PROOF. WE LEARNED THAT LESSON IN 1975 WHEN ONE OF OUR GUARDS SHOT AND KILLED AN
INNOCENT BYSTANDER. THAT IS WHY WE LED THE MOVEMENT TO DISARM SECURITY OFFICERS, EXCEPT WHEN FIREARMS ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED BY THE SITUATION.
MISTAKES WILL OCCUR, IN PRIVATE SECURITY AS IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY. BUT WE MUST LEARN FROM THESE MISTAKES, NOT TO REPEAT THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN LIKE A MACHINE THAT HAS RUN OUT OF CONTROL.
SAYING SUCH HARSH THINGS ABOUT MY OWN INDUSTRY HAS NOT BEEN A PLEASANT TASK.
BUT AS A PIONEER AND THE OWNER OF A PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES COMPANY, I SEE THE INDUSTRY BOTH AS IT IS AND AS IT MIGHT BE. I AM ANGERED BY THE FIRST, BUT I AM MOTIVATED BY THE SECOND.
THE PROFESSION OF PRIVATE SECURITY IS A NOBLE ONE, ONE THAT DESERVES HONOR AND RESPECT, DECENT PAY, AND RECOGNITION OF THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT THE SECURITY OFFICER PLAYS IN PROTECTING OUR SOCIETY.
IF FOR JUST A MOMENT YOU COULD FORGET THE IMAGE YOU HAVE OF WHAT THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IS, AND REPLACE IT WITH THE IMAGE I HAVE OF WHAT IT COULD BE, YOU WOULD SEE AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY COMPOSED OF SECURITY OFFICERS WORTHY OF THE PUBLIC TRUST: PROFESSIONAL, COLLEGE EDUCATED, HIGHLY TRAINED, AND DEDICATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE PROTECTION OF SOCIETY. THAT IS NOT A DREAM. IT IS A PLAN. IT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT. IT DESERVES YOUR SUPPORT. BUT A PLAN IS ONLY A PLAN WITHOUT ACTION. MAY IT BEGIN HERE.