|
News
Release
Prison Escapees Impersonate
Security Officers
AUSTIN (01/10/01)
- The seven Texas prison escapees that brutally murdered officer
Aubry Hawkins on Christmas Eve reportedly gained access to the
Oshmans sporting goods store in Irving by impersonating security
officers.
Walt Roberts, President
of the Association of Security Services and Investigators of the
State Of Texas, (ASSIST), today issued a warning to all shop owners,
storekeepers and citizens of Texas.
"Any individual who
says that they are a security officer or an investigator must have
an identification card that has been issued by the Texas Commission
on Private Security." Roberts said. "If they don't have
the ID card, get away from the them as soon as possible and notify
police."
Security officers and
investigators in Texas must undergo criminal background checks,
maintain liability insurance and successfully complete all state
mandated training requirements before they are issued their
identification cards.
Roberts says that the
seven prison escapees are not the first to gain the confidence of
potential victims by posing as security officers.
"There are many
cases of criminals who have robbed or violated individuals while
posing as a security officers." Roberts continued "Some of
them have stolen or purchased security officer uniforms in order to
commit their crimes."
He says that in Texas it
is not currently against the law to impersonate a security officer,
but he is hoping that situation will soon change.
He says that his
association is actively supporting legislation that will make
impersonating a security officer illegal in our state.
State Representative Pat
Haggerty, R- El Paso plans to introduce the Legislation during the
current session of the legislature that will make the practice
illegal in Texas.
Roberts also states that
currently there is no requirement that security officers and
investigators produce their identification card to the public upon
demand. He says however, that "any legitimate security officer
or investigator will gladly show their identification upon
request."
Roberts says that until
the new laws are passed the public must beware of anyone who might
be impersonation a security officer or investigator in the state of
Texas.
He adds that any
security officer or licensed investigator may be verified by
contacting the Texas Commission on Private Security in Austin.
For any additional
information contact Walt Roberts at (214) 946-2625.
|
