TresHuevos wrote:This whole incident illuminates why I don't agree with sworn peace officers being employed as private security officers. This exposes both the officer and the employing agency to litigation and physical risk. This past October we had a Constable in our county die in an altercation while providing security at a haunted house. Full disclosure, I am a manager for a private security company and yes, police performing these off duty jobs are viewed as competition. When I place one of my people at a site they are well trained in the particular post orders for where they are working. That includes that company's weapon policies as well as who can be on site and what to do if someone is a trespasser. Obviously the same can't be said for an off duty officer who just shows up.
With all due respect... I strongly disagree.
The premise is// "personal responsibility"
I think you will agree, you and your company do not have access to any information or needed training not available to any commissioned law enforcement officer.
I think you will agree, that any officer that ask for and accepts an off duty assignment will do so with some advance warning (time before reporting for duty)
And IF that officer is professional as most are, they are completely capable of being as informed as any of your private security officers plus the come with the benefit of much broader training and background in most cases PLUS powers of arrest.
Sorry, no, you as a private security company do not have ANY advantage not available to a LEO. You are commended for taking advantage of the knowledge available to you and ensuring your employees are properly informed.. but personal responsibility applies here, the LEO (and your employee.. not you) is personally responsible to know and understand the rules, policies and laws that are going to be expected to observe, enforce, maintain.
A tall order for a LEO in general, but a simpler task for a specific job...like say maintain good order in a liquor store.
