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The Last Word
by Dave Scepanski, ASSIST
President
ASSIST and the security profession in Texas
�Providing the leadership and vision for today and tomorrow�
This will be the last time you will hear from me as your president and of course with the last word as well.
I have taken the most important items from past articles I have written and included them again, as I have always felt that they were important enough to read
twice.
The present
I want the public and law enforcement to know the important and vital role security officers play in today�s
society. Their roles and responsibilities have increased, while their employers are more cost conscious and more aware of preventing losses and wastage.
The days of the night watchman are
gone; terms such as guard have been replaced with officer and professional, modern day security officers are people who know and understand their responsibilities and diligently, they apply their expertise and training to ensure that property and people are adequately protected. The security officer is an integral part of business management and operations. They are in a position of both authority and responsibility.
No Wallflowers Allowed
For those of you who are still on the fence about membership, it�s time to join and not just stand in the background and let someone else do the work or make important decisions on issues that affect
you.
Becoming involved in ASSIST shows everyone your pride in your profession. You owe it yourself, your company, and your colleagues to make our profession the best it can be. Take the time out and call me at (832) 274-1079. Recent state legislation signed into law during the previous four years � and directly affecting security professionals like you � was passed thanks to ASSIST�s lobbying efforts and contacts in state government. You can make a difference.
The future
We must continue to raise our level of professionalism through aggressive educational programs and by developing and implementing new security methodologies and techniques designed to advance services and provide improved protection for security officers.
Managers: The requirements and standards for being a manager must be more stringent and realistic; they must have more on-the-job-training in the field and in-office administrative
procedures.
After meeting the qualifications and passing the required test, there should be a reasonable limit established regarding the number of companies they are allowed to manage simultaneously. In addition, managers, as well as owners, need to be held accountable for strict compliance with laws and board rules.
Commissioned Security Officers: The number of training hours presently required for a security officer to become commissioned and carry a weapon are not
adequate. We need to improve this training by immediately adding six more hours in firearm safety instruction and two hours in non-violent conflict resolution.
Non-Commissioned Security Officers: Level I and Level II training courses are being revised and improved right now. Potential candidates can be taught and tested on the �Introduction to Being a Security Officer� when they walk-in the door. These are positive steps forward; however, more needs to be done. We should require that the new security officers complete a certain number of hours of mandatory training within three months of being hired or face termination. These courses could be offered on-line or at a security academy.
Regulatory Compliance: Enforcing regulatory compliance by all security companies in the state and halting operations of illegal security companies and individuals is of paramount
importance. Companies who fail or refuse to abide by the regulations governing our profession do a great disservice to our profession and the citizens of Texas. We cannot, and will not allow this precarious and unprincipled practice to continue unchecked.
Security companies and security academies registered with the Texas Private Security Bureau that knowingly practice illegal activities must have the maximum fines imposed and be forced into compliance or be put out of business. Illegal companies working in this state need to be fined to the maximum and prevented from working.
Technological Advances: If you are not already taking advantage of the power and efficiency of the Internet and email, you are missing out. These are not just passing fads, they are here to stay. Email allows you to send documents, pictures, files, and data quickly and easily. It is a powerful and cost-effective way to communicate with potential clients and stay in touch with existing clients. The Internet puts a world of information at your fingertips, everything from breaking news to recipes for your favorite foods. It�s all there.
The ASSIST website assisttexas.org belongs to you, ASSIST members, non-members, security owners, and every security officer in the
profession. It has valuable information and updates as to what ASSIST is doing to change the security profession.
The opinions and views expressed in The Last Word are those of Dave Scepanski and do no necessarily reflect those of ASSIST or its members.
ASSIST
Providing the leadership
and vision for
today and tomorrow.
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