Valor Security @ Ontario Mills Mall

[AirWind23]

Hello everyone, im a aspiring police officer towarding getting my bachelors in cimrinal justice. I'm looking for a part time job and my mall is currently hiring security officers, the security company is Valor Security.

Im very much new to this and dont know where to start. Have any of you worked for this company or have any good/bad experience or information? What is the hiring process like, guard card, weapon type allowed, etc.

Any information would be awesome, thanks so much.

Mark

[redrado]

well i do know that in the st louis mills mall which is also valor security you are made to watch a training video which clearly states that no valor employee is to stop or even follow a shoplifting suspect at any time. If you are told that this person is a shoplifting suspect by a store employee the store employee has to call the pd. It is not valor securitys responsibility to contact the police department on a stores behalf.

Basically all you are allowed for this company is give directions to a mall customer and be visible. And the reasons you ask. one word LIABILITY
Valor was a joke of a company in the st louis area and also explains why they have such a high turnover rate. I have worked in another mall for 2 plus years and never had the type of restrictions i had with valor. No self defense items of any kind. no handcuffs. No steel toes. A radio is all you carried and a set of keys that fit about half of the doors in the mall.

I was a overnight shift supervisor after one month of service with the company i was hired during the construction phase and worked through the grand opening until i had to quit. My nightly job was to use one or two officers to retrieve grocery carts form the parking lots and perimeter of the mall and to return them to the stores. Now on my last night there it was in january with about 7 inchs of snow over 2 inchs of ice and i personally got 390 carts off of the parking lots and placed them in front of the mall stores. this took about 6 hours of my 8 hr shift as there are 8 parking lots at this mall. Who was actually watching the mall in this time span? um NOONE as we were understaffed by this time. I had one dispatch myself and one officer. I quit the next morning and went to a trauma center as security. Your choice after all but you can make more money at a grocery store picking up carts for a living. Oh i did get the on the job training to qualify for that position if i desired.

[AirWind23]

Thanks for your detailed reply redrado, really appreciate it. If i remember clearly, I remember seeing Valor security officers walking around with cuffs on their duty belt. But im not sure, im planning on getting my guard card and will be looking at other security positions. I was looking into Valor at Ontario Mills mall because of its close location to my home.

Thanks again

[N. A. Corbier]

One thing to remember. Just because you see a cuff case, or another type of case, does not mean there are actually cuffs IN that case.

A large company (I do not name names, as I understand quite a few company executives read these forums, and bad-mouthing a company is a great way to learn about our civil process, unless you can defend the libel/slander suit with documentation) would buy duty rigs, complete with straight batons. On these duty rigs would be everything but a pistol and speedloaders. OC, cuffs, flashlight, handcuffs, gloves, etc.

Except that the baton was welded onto the baton ring, and every other pouch was sewn shut, with nothing in it. No handcuffs, no pepper spray, no gloves, nothing. The Flashlight was your responsibility, I was told, to provide, but you could wear one if you wanted. (Not required to.)

The entire duty belt was for "visual intimidation." Employees were instructed to flee the scene if accosted or challenged, and call the police. If that meant leaving the client's post, it meant leaving the client's post.

I never believe, for one moment, that someone is actually carrying something that they have a pouch for, without visual or other indication. I think we're moving beyond "visual intimidation," because of the liability factor of having empty police equipment belts, but I don't doubt a large company will still do it.

[Bill Warnock]

N.A. and the Group. Correct me if I am wrong but, when the public sees a security person are they not entitled to assume there is some expectation of safety and security. If a security person flees the scene when someone is being attacked would that person or his company be in the liability chain? I am reminded again of the reasonable prudent man theory.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

N.A. and the Group. Correct me if I am wrong but, when the public sees a security person are they not entitled to assume there is some expectation of safety and security. If a security person flees the scene when someone is being attacked would that person or his company be in the liability chain? I am reminded again of the reasonable prudent man theory.
Enjoy the day,
Bill
They are, but there's a cavaet to that. If it is plainly posted in public view that the "security guard" is actually a "courtesy officer," and that there is no security on property, then there's no reasonable expectation of safety and security.

This is the "courtesy officer" trend that alot of apartment management companies are doing. They do it because they either demand, or are afraid, that the security company is incapable of protecting anyone. Ie: "You will not intervene, only call 911," or the employees sent on property are emotionally/physically incapable of intervention, or are prohibited by policy.

Yet another reason companies are moving away from "security" in the title, reasonable expectation of protection is implied by the very word.

[Firemankoz]

I am a security Director for Valor at a local mall.
Let me assure you the cuffs, the pepper spray are very real!
The officers at valor are held to a higher standard. The training one officer who is "enhanced" (cuffs, pepper spray, defensive tactics) is a great amount.
You have to remember we live in a post 911 world, we as security officers are being asked to do more then just push carts,( my officers would NEVER do anything like that) we are charged with the protection of multi million dollar malls and the protection of the people who shop with in these walls.

Valor Security Officers are also trained to use AED machines and now have quite a few saves because of these machines. Yes some companies have the officers mentioned previously on this thread, but at Valor No Sir.
And Liability is the at the front of our training, however Valor Executives realize we can't be running away or hiding from problems in today?s world.

We have stepped up to the plate and raised the bar of professionalism for Security Officers around the globe

[Bill Warnock]

Firemankoz welcome to this site. It is the fond hope of its creators you will find it useful as well as informative. The private message portion can prove invaluable.
That is refreshing to hear that some malls are investing in meaningful security which means they are willing to pay for it. In the post 9/11 era, the security officer protecting soft targets such as malls you have described with have to have the strength of Hercules, the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Mother Theresa.
Again, welcome aboard.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

Hello. I found it strange that a Valor Security Officer at a local mall here, in a Milwaukee Suburb, was equipped with a can of OC, a Stinger, but no handcuffs. I found that slightly strange.

Why would security officers carry defensive/offensive weapons, but no means to restrain a person they were required to use them on? This, to me, would lead to more and more levels of force to be used on the attacker, because there's no method of securing them to prevent repeated attacks.

[Firemankoz]

Hello guys and thanks for the warm welcome. N.A. I must warn you though cuff training is long and in some parts boring! perhaps the officer is not cuff trained just yet, it is a long certification process.

But as mentioned earlier in this thread...Liability is the key. If any of my officers cuff someone, there is a review just like a weapon was used. We take use of cuffs, OC etc very seriously here.
Koz

[AirWind23]

Thanks for the replys and information guys. Just reading your conversations just gave me alot of additional information. Turns out one of my friends, friend works at Valor at Ontario Mills and helped me get an application. Turned it in and currently I guess going through evaluation.

What is the application process like Firemankoz? What kind of training is received when hired? And what exactly are valor officers allowed to do? I know at Ontario we have foot patrol, bike, and vehicle, interior and exterior of the mall complex. Any information on the job would great. :)

[Firemankoz]

Training, depending on the site can take 40 hours just for your basic training.
Ongoing training is continuous, the hand cuffing, Defensive tactics, OC, these trainings are about 10-12m hours per event, the bike training is good as well.
If you do get on board let me know, I'll write to your director and keep in touch. Pending on where you?re stationed is on what you can or can't do.
Valor Officers do more then most, at some malls; officers are deputized and write parking, fire lane and handicapped tickets. (Yes real city tickets!) Good luck getting in it is a great company to work for.....If you have the right attitude. My Ops manager and I just received Commendations and medals for our actions down the Katrina Ground Zero area. We were part of the Response team.
Good Luck

[AirWind23]

Thanks again for the info Firemankoz. Turned in my application this week, hope I get some kind of word or call back soon. Im really excited about it, even more if I get the position. :)

[N. A. Corbier]

Firemoz, do you know what curriclium they're using for bike training? Is it based on the National Bike Police Officer's Assocation instruction, or is it based on someone else's instruction?

[Firemankoz]

N.A., I'llfind out for youI know we are taught by instructors certified at Valor
the officers I also go thru mall training since they wont be on main streets.
However even though we dress them in bright yellow they are still "Moving targets"
Koz

[N. A. Corbier]

N.A., I'llfind out for youI know we are taught by instructors certified at Valor
the officers I also go thru mall training since they wont be on main streets.
However even though we dress them in bright yellow they are still "Moving targets"
Koz

Mmm, flourecent yellow bike shirts. :) I was always partial to lime green over yellow, myself.

[AirWind23]

:(

I sent a inquiry through email to the Assistant Director of Valor Security at ontario mills, and I was told via email that I would be getting a call from a supervisor the next morning for an interview, but never recieved a call.

This was the day before Christmas eve. Its now the day after Christmas, figured maybe I would get a call this morning, but nothing today. Im really worried about it, I really do want the job. :o

Ill give it one more day, if nothing, ill just give up hope that they won't consider me a candidate.

[Firemankoz]

AIr wind
You have to remember it is our time of year we are SLAMMED!
and will be ti till after the new year. Dont give up hope.
I am doing this on my lunch hour, I as the DIrector am spending time on the floor.

KOz

[N. A. Corbier]

Keep in mind that most companies require 1-2 WEEKS to get back to applicants.

[Firemankoz]

Hey Air wind any luck???

[AirWind23]

Hey Fire, no call back as of today :( The email I got from the Assistant director detailed I would get a call back the next day about the interview..but never did :confused:

So I said to myself either they don't want me, there was someone that was a better candidate, or my application isnt what they wanted? Im currently a college student, majoring in criminal justice, no prior drug offenses, no tickets what so ever, clean record basically.

I guess I was getting my hopes up too soon. :o

[Firemankoz]

Where do you live, perhaps I can get you into another valor mall? :D

[AirWind23]

Sent ya a PM fire :)

[davis002]

Hello guys and thanks for the warm welcome. N.A. I must warn you though cuff training is long and in some parts boring! perhaps the officer is not cuff trained just yet, it is a long certification process.

But as mentioned earlier in this thread...Liability is the key. If any of my officers cuff someone, there is a review just like a weapon was used. We take use of cuffs, OC etc very seriously here.
Koz

To carry OC and a Stinger, and no cuffs creates problems. If the officer is not yet trained to use cuffs, then they shouldn't be equipped at all yet. When we train new officers, handcuffing takes the least amount of time. It is not rocket science to get cuffs on somebody. With that said, if that officer were to walk into an assault in progress I would assume he would likely deploy his OC/CS and/or Stinger. So now you have an assault suspect who has been maced, but is not under control because you can't cuff him, and you are waiting for PD to arrive. The officer could attempt to physically restrain, but that opens up officer and/or suspect injuries. Just because you mace someone, doesn't mean they will stop what they are doing. Basically, my company will not give you equipment in phases. You train for everything, you are equipped with everything... no exceptions.

[N. A. Corbier]

To carry OC and a Stinger, and no cuffs creates problems. If the officer is not yet trained to use cuffs, then they shouldn't be equipped at all yet. When I train new officers, handcuffing takes the least amount of time. It is not rocket science to get cuffs on somebody. With that said, if that officer were to walk into an assault in progress I would assume he would likely deploy his OC/CS and/or Stinger. So now you have an assault suspect who has been maced, but is not under control because you can't cuff him, and you are waiting for PD to arrive. The officer could attempt to physically restrain, but that opens up officer and/or suspect injuries. Just because you mace someone, doesn't mean they will stop what they are doing. Basically, my company will not give you equipment in phases. You train for everything, you are equipped with everything... no exceptions.

This is what I believe, as well. If you can't restrain your attacker, or the person your trying to detain, all you can do is cause them physical harm until they submit, or are rendered unconcious or dead.

[Firemankoz]

It was just a theory..... :eek: Our guys get all phases at the same time as well, some guys carry a flash light in the OC holster...I dont know, What I am wondering how long is your cuff training? we don't just slap the cuffs on, we do speed cuff drills, over/under, all types, it takes 4 hours of just classroom/ litigation training etc we just dont issue, train to slap then have them go at it. we then go into defensive tatics.

I also agree, if we pepper someone, we must restrain them with cuffs.
None of my officer carry unless they do the ENTIRE monadnock training
course.

[dwdorow]

I am not sure if this is any value to someone seeking employment at Valor Security, but I'll tell my story.

I worked at a local Valor mall from April 2006 to July 2006 as a security officer. I was recommended for the supervisor position and well-liked by all of my co-workers and superiors. I received outstanding marks in all the testing and "new guy classes."
At the beginning of July I was terminated for damaging one of the security vehicles. It was the company's right to fire me as I was the one who made a mistake. I was on routine patrol in one of the parking garages and I bumped a low ceiling with the light bar on top of the vehicle. The employee handbook clearly states that anyone who damages Valor property is subject to termination.

A week after my termination I decided that I wanted to finish up my training and become a pilot. To do that, I needed to be approved by the FAA, TSA and Homeland security. When I applied they said that I was unable to be approved because I had a mark on my record from Valor saying I demonstrated, "Blatant negligence and total disregard for public safety" and that I was "hazardous and unsafe behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle." This was a surprise to me. When my incident happened at Valor, the garage was empty and I was the only person in the vehicle. I did no damage to any person or mall property, just the company vehicle.

I tried to contact the security director via phone several times leaving polite courteous messages asking how I can get my records at Valor review and remade (you know in a more truthful light.) I found out after one week of phone calls that the director personally advised every guard on staff that if they should receive a phone call from me they are not to let me speak to any Valor or Mall personnel.
This director, who I might mention is extremely overweight, will not even give me a phone number to call to just find out information. I recorded every voicemail I left and every conversation I had. Thank god I did, because now, thanks to Mr. "too many donuts" director, I have to peruse legal action against company and the mall. All I ever really wanted to do in my life was fly planes. I went through 3 years of the Marine Corps and 3 years of public service to be qualified to do it. I hope that I can someday pick up the pieces that Valor has broken my dreams into.

If you want to work for Valor, go ahead, but don't even think about making a mistake. It will ruin your entire career and prevent you from ever holding a public service/transportation position again.

[N. A. Corbier]

While it can be argued that you were negligent in damaging Valor Security's property, "disregard for public safety" is yet another method that Valor Directors of Security use to make their departments have vague quazi-authority.

It does not sound that "omg" if you say, "total disregard for security." But use the word Public Safety in place of Security like Valor does (for all things), and it becomes much worse.

Since this was reported to a government agency that keeps records, and since such terms as "public safety" and ""hazardous and unsafe behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle." I hope they can prove those statements. The Department of Motor Vehicles determines if you are hazardous and unsafe behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle, not a security company that calls its self a public safety department.

My suggestion to you is to retain an attorney and pursue damages.

[T202]

Depending on what state you were working in, there are laws pertaining to employees and former employees right to view their personnel files. Sounds like it might be lawyer time.

[N. A. Corbier]

Depending on what state you were working in, there are laws pertaining to employees and former employees right to view their personnel files. Sounds like it might be lawyer time.

Most of those laws don't apply when the Department of Homeland Security conducts a background investigation, though. In some cases, you incur federal crmiinal violations for not releasing information, as a matter of hindering national security.

Its the difference between an employer asking, "Would you hire this guy again," and a federal agent asking, "Submit documentation of all violations of policy or procedure the employee committed."

[T202]

Most of those laws don't apply when the Department of Homeland Security conducts a background investigation, though. In some cases, you incur federal crmiinal violations for not releasing information, as a matter of hindering national security.

Its the difference between an employer asking, "Would you hire this guy again," and a federal agent asking, "Submit documentation of all violations of policy or procedure the employee committed."

I didn't make myself real clear here. What I meant was according to certain states' laws, Valor can not block dwdorow from seeing his own personnel file. They have to give him access to it. He would have grounds for a civil suit.

[N. A. Corbier]

I didn't make myself real clear here. What I meant was according to certain states' laws, Valor can not block dwdorow from seeing his own personnel file. They have to give him access to it. He would have grounds for a civil suit.

Ah, I see what you mean.

[SD Security]

I was just curious as to how this situation was going? Was a lawsuit filed?

[treetop]

I have had 6 years of experience working with Valor in a management capacity, I left voluntarily. Of course like any company they have their strengths and weaknesses, but my experienced opinion is that the latter outweighs the former. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

[Arrowslinger]

I worked for Valor about three years at a Chicago area mall, the mall was “in house” when Valor took over they kept everyone and made no changes. The “in house” security never required a p.e.r.c. Card, Valor paid for these upon the change, which I thought was great.

NO Valor officer at this mall was EVER to chase and apprehend any person, our cuffs and pepper spray were only to be used should a person become unruly threatening the safety of the officer, any patron or mall/store employees. If shoplifting occurred in a store and an employee called security, we dispatched an officer to the store. The officer was only to observe the “arrest = we are holding you until police arrive” by the person who saw the incident take place, if the person ran the officer was simply to follow and note the escape route. Running rarely happened as we had a police sub station in the mall, once the security officer deemed an arrest by the employee was going to happen, a police officer was also sent to the scene. If a police officer was not available, we escorted them to the security office, and yes 90% simply went with you. A professional uniform and an officer carrying himself well carries a lot of weight, all the people see is some sort of law enforcement. They really have no clue as to just what authority you have; this makes most people follow instructions really well.

As far as the vehicle damage incident, if I fired every officer that damaged a vehicle, I would have been the only guy there. Never even had the suspicion that any officer may have done it on purpose, but that would have been another story. Disregard for public safety could have simply been, it happened where people walked accessing the mall? We always ran little investigations, reviewing video if possible, to determine just how bad an incident was whether it involved a vehicle or someone feeling security stepped over some line in dealing with them, theft, etc.

I liked Valor, had some issues but no major things I could not deal with.

[N. A. Corbier]

Was this an upscale establishment in Northwood? :)

That site lost its batons, can only use OC when being physically attacked, and has enough red tape to work though to make me wince.

They got pretty red-light LED light bars, though, and their trucks look like Sheriff's vehicles. "Department of Public Safety," which is great cause it doesn't say who they are at all.

[4795209]

I have worked for Valor and other mall security operations/companies. As someone with prior security experience and solid references and some education, security jobs seem like a decent "stop gap" measure: a job to get to pay the bills while you seek out long-term, stable employment.

If you work for any of the outfits for more than a few months (90 days) you are considered a "senior" staffer. Directors of security quit or are fired or demoted on average every six months, with security "officers" quitting more regularly due to low pay, horrible morale, and brutal schedules. Every mall does things differently. One mall I worked at rotated security "officers" with drivers every several hours, while another had security staff riding bicycles, golf carts and walking aimlessly on foot for hours at a time - despite below freezing conditions and not providing winter clothing.

As a security "officer" you are told both in writing and verbally, not to do anything and that you have no real authority to arrest or detain. I have been told repeatedly by multiple security companies, not to carry mace or any other weapons on my person, and that I could not even wear winter apparel outdoors unless they were approved or company issued. I did it anyway.

As a security officer, you must be prepared to work brutal rotating shifts with few days off or wildly erratic and illogical schedules, work in all weather conditions with your own clothing, be prepared to wear uniforms that may or may not fit for months at a time, and understand that you are present for insurance companies not to protect anyone or anything. You have no authority to arrest, detain, search, or do much of anything else - except as a private citizen. Just show up and wander around, and you'll do well, and if you see anything dangerous or unusual, call it in and document what you see and hear. If people are fighting, just wait for police. If a robbery takes place, just wait for police. If you are confronted with violence, just run and hide.

That's it.

[SecureTN]

Sounds about right... Working with Valor right now...

[Apolo]

seems a bit contradictive, company's name being valor and all