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 A Tribute to Today�s Security Officer
Like their law enforcement counterparts, numerous private security officers have committed heroic deeds, successfully protected neighborhoods and deterred criminals from robbing businesses. Many helped investigate the World Trade Center bombing, while others helped guard the Olympics and the Republican and Democratic conventions. Many helped render aid at the Oklahoma City bombing site. Yet, they do not attract much media attention and tend to remain unsung heroes.
I want to start the New Year off by recognizing the important and vital role Security Officer�s play in today�s society. The roles and responsibilities of today�s Security Officer have increased, companies are more cost conscious and more aware of their requirements to prevent losses/waste. The days of the night watchman are gone. Modern day Security Officers are people who know and understand their responsibilities and diligently apply their expertise and training to ensure that property and people are adequately protected. The Security Officer is an integral part of the business management and operations. They are in a position of both authority and responsibility.
The security officer plays an important role in the success of a variety of business operations including manufacturing or corporate environments, financial or retail operations. No matter what industry, well-trained security officers are capable of adapting themselves to a wide variety of security related tasks.
Private security officers are being hired at a staggeringly fast pace. It�s estimated that private security officers outnumber law enforcement by a ratio of three to one. There are somewhere between 1.5 and 1.8 million private security officers in the nation as compared to 700,000 police officers.
Reasons for this hiring boom include: fear that crime will encroach on safe neighborhoods, concern that businesses may be susceptible to crime, a need to comply with new insurance mandates, and a desire to have a 24-hour security presence as a deterrent to criminal activity. Police officers just don�t have time or resources to devote to one particular business or neighborhood.
My message for the New Year is �Stand Up And Be Counted.� Our goal is to increase membership by one-hundred members this year. This can only be done with your help and involvement. Working together, we can reach our goals.
I wish everyone a prosperous year. We started the New Year with a new Chapter in San Antonio, and have plans to open one more in Harlingen this quarter. I visited both the Dallas and Houston Chapters in January, and also made a trip to Harlingen. I was quite pleased with the attendance in all
cities.
Dave Scepanski
President of ASSIST
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