Conservator of the peace

[Lawson]

Does anyone know of any decent C.O.T.P. jobs out there?

[OccamsRazor]

Does anyone know of any decent C.O.T.P. jobs out there?

Yeah, but this guy already has it- http://www.thurstonsheriff.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/67/MenuSubID/5.htm

[Lawson]

Gary Edwards ( met him a few times... Great Guy!) is a sheriff. I am looking for Conservator of the Peace in a Private security fashion. Like they have in VA.

[OccamsRazor]

Gary Edwards ( met him a few times... Great Guy!) is a sheriff. I am looking for Conservator of the Peace in a Private security fashion. Like they have in VA.

Not being familiar with that sort of position, I am assuming (yes, ASSuming) that it is akin to some sort of Security Police Officer position? If so, the only one I know of offhand in Washington State would be at the Hanford facility...Link here:

http://www.hanford.gov/reach/viewpdf.cfm?aid=191

They don't seem to be hiring right now, but I've seen it open and close several times a year.

[Lawson]

Washington... as far as I know... does not allow for what I am looking for, which is private security with policing powers, the hanford site (which I have been to and met some of their officers) are actually federal employees. They are govt. police officers commissioned by the department of energy. Our company is working on commissioning employees at a particular site, as there is a lot of need for more protection that private security cannot offer without powers of police.

[OccamsRazor]

Washington... as far as I know... does not allow for what I am looking for, which is private security with policing powers, the hanford site (which I have been to and met some of their officers) are actually federal employees. They are govt. police officers commissioned by the department of energy. Our company is working on commissioning employees at a particular site, as there is a lot of need for more protection that private security cannot offer without powers of police.

I know there are some guys at Hanford that are private security, that do have 'special' commissions, I met one on a tour a few years ago.

I used to hold (A LONG TIME AGO) a special commission here in WA, but it was also a security position for the state. I just checked, and that position doesn't even exist anymore. I am OLD :(

Maybe you coud change jobs within your company? Try this one:

http://www.wsihq.com/careers_nevada.asp

[Sampson]

Washington state law (R.C.W./W.A.C.) does not provide for Special Conservators of the Peace. It would be nice if proprietary and contract security petitioned the State to allow such officers, but organizing such a movement would be difficult because of conflicting points of view. It is needed considering that State law does not have any provisions for citizens arrest authority (with the exception of merchants stopping shoplifters). I would imagine that many of the large companies would be in support of this effort. You could start by contacting leaders of private and public security agencies to get their support.

Presently, only city and county governments can issue Special Police Commissions (with the exception of Railroad Police. They are commissioned through the C.J.T.C.). I believe Seattle used to issue special commissions to loss prevention officers prior to the Retail Theft Program. Now, from what I?ve heard, these commissions are only issued to city employees (e.g. Animal Control, Parking Enforcement (meter maids), Court Marshals, Seattle Center Security (for parking enforcement), and possibly the water department to cite for water usage during low water seasons.

I believe up at the watershed, operated by the City of Seattle, Watershed Inspectors are commissioned to enforce trespass laws. Since they are outside the city limits, their commissions come from King County.

Tacoma used to issue Special Police Commissions to private security but I believe that all went away after the State took over licensing of private security. Now, like Seattle, they probably only commission Animal Control, etc. I don?t even think that the Port of Tacoma Security have special commissions (this is bizarre considering how professional they are).

The State?s community colleges have statutory authority to control vehicular and pedestrian movement on campuses. Security Supervisors at Pacific Lutheran University are commissioned through the county.

Over at Hanford, I believe the Security Police Officers are commissioned through the D.O.E. and they are private employees of a government contractor.

[Lawson]

Edited out thanks.

[N. A. Corbier]

You were wasting the Guard's time, he was probally watching TV. :)

Securitas. For Gate Security. On a secure facility.

...

[OccamsRazor]

Which company was providing the gate security? Was it actually the Port of Tacoma officers, or a contract company? I've met a few PoT officers, and they were all high-speed, low-drag types, nothing like that. Of course, that was a few years ago...

Also, Sampson, do you know when the state of Washington stopped doing the special commissions? I had one several years ago, including an 'oath' administered by a brass-level trooper who didn't look like he could tie his own shoes :rolleyes:

[EMTGuard]

Port of Tacoma Security... some of the worst security Ive EVER seen guarding an international terminal. Sad thing but it may be just that particular Guard, I won't call him a SO. It's possible that if you got to the port on a different shift you may have found a dedicated offocer who wsa serious about doing his/her job.
The same thing has happened to me. I show up to work one day to find out that we were being replaced by Securitas. Seems that it wasn't anything I was doing wrong but what someone on a different shift WASN'T doing. Other shifts had SOs sitting at the main gate watching tv with their shoes off instead of checking the IDs and vehicles of people trying to enter our facility. The facility safety director found out and decided to cancel our contract and bring in Securitas with a whole new crew and stronger supervison. The problem is that I see it happening again at this facility where I'm posted now. I'm told by plant employees that it's common knowledge that some SOs on opposite shifts spend most night shifts sleeping and doing paper rounds (logging rounds as made in the book but never actually leaving the guard shack).
I'm SICK of doing my job and having to worry that I could loose it because some lazy bastard on another shift may wave through a safety inspector one night instead of getting up and walking out to check them in properly.

[Lawson]

I dont know who it was. I assume it was PoT. But KIRO 7 ( I think) did an investigative story on it... same results... were waved right through every time they approached the gate.

[Lawson]

I just think when you are guarding something like that... you should take more pride in your job than anything else. You are being trusted with billions of dollars of cargo, ships, equipment, loaded freight, etc... Not to mention the lives of people working in the facilities and on board the ships. Like I said, when I worked Port of Olympia, I went out to kick ass (as arrogant as that may sound). I worked hard to see no one was on the site who wasnt supposed to be, doesnt matter if it was crazy bum, punk teenager, or muhammed the terrorist. If they didnt belong they left on their feet or in cuffs. I was pretty aggressive when it came to guarding that site, I rolled around everywhere, off schedule, any calls for service were answered immediately, I knew all the hotspots for criminal activity, transient sleeping spots, public urinations, vehicle prowls, etc... and worked them like none other.

Well all my work, eventually brought me down. When my company said I almost killed someone and committed federal violations, etc. It was at that time ALL my supervisors turned against me and were like "yeah! we told him he's too aggressive" Im thinking "Bull****, I just happen to give a damn and want to keep my port safe." Instead of these assholes who just roll from point to point hitting their stupid Polestar. And eventually the Local Police said I did nothing wrong... actually they said that within 24 hrs of the accusations.

The company offered me work after that at the port of tacoma, but I quit.

Sorry for the rant... that story just gets me worked up.

But anyway.. I used to work extremely hard on my port, which has not even close to what PoT has. And these guys wont even ask for a drivers license... or write down a plate number. I hope U.S. Customs has replaced them or squared their ass away. I know KIRO's bad media coverage probably gave them a well needed kick in the nads.

[OccamsRazor]

I hope U.S. Customs has replaced them or squared their ass away. I know KIRO's bad media coverage probably gave them a well needed kick in the nads.

Amen!

As an aside, while I was waiting for my armed license (!), the place I work for offered me a temp job at the Port of Olympia, guarding some sort of military ship against Evergreen State College protesters (?)...For $10 an hour. It was only after I'd been laughing for 30 seconds or so that the manager guessed I was turning it down...I'm not driving over 100 miles RT for that type of wage. :mad:

[EMTGuard]

I was pretty aggressive when it came to guarding that site, I rolled around everywhere, off schedule, any calls for service were answered immediately, I knew all the hotspots for criminal activity, transient sleeping spots, public urinations, vehicle prowls, etc... and worked them like none other. Same here. It's how I got the nick name Q-Beam. I was always ready to patrol and working nights I was very liberal with the spotlight in the dark shadowed areas. The chemical plant where I was assigned liked a very high profile show of security patrols in addition to our more mundane and lower profile duties such as building walk throughs and door checks. When I worked it was just like I was back at the State Prison. Anyone parking on the highway next to our plant could expect me to be there in a couple of minutes to check them out. Vehicles passing by several times a night would be reported to the local Police to check out. damage to gates, fence or buildings was logged and reported to the plant manager.
Of course, it didn't save us from loosing the account.

[EMTGuard]

..I'm not driving over 100 miles RT for that type of wage. :mad:
That's what I do every day. It's just about 100 miles there and back (97 actually) for $10.50 an hour.

[OccamsRazor]

That's what I do every day. It's just about 100 miles there and back (97 actually) for $10.50 an hour.

Good Lord! I was mad this week as I had to work a different-than-the-normal post...Driving nearly 55 miles RT for my base wage of $20.92/hr.

How do you do it? I was able to (by working there 1x a week) retain my transit ID stuff, so I can ride the buses/trains for free...If I had to pay for gas and parking, I'd be looking for another job.

[Lawson]

Forget that. My last company (security masters) tried to get me to go more than 40 miles for a job for 8 an hour... sorry... aint happening.

[Lawson]

By the way, I think the PoO (Ironically... that what that place smells like) contracts TCSO for ship guards now.

[OccamsRazor]

By the way, I think the PoO (Ironically... that what that place smells like) contracts TCSO for ship guards now.

I'm not surprised, the way my company handles things...

[Lawson]

Yeah... all I can say, is the Western WA. Merchant Patrol... the company I worked for is the worst security outfit Ive ever come across. Period.

[OccamsRazor]

Yeah... all I can say, is the Western WA. Merchant Patrol... the company I worked for is the worst security outfit Ive ever come across. Period.

I heard bad things about them as well...Weren't they run out of some guy's house in Federal Way, and the 'office' phone was his cell??

[Lawson]

They are run out of centralia and their office is a house next to Cent. Comm. Coll.

[Sampson]

Which company was providing the gate security? Was it actually the Port of Tacoma officers, or a contract company? I've met a few PoT officers, and they were all high-speed, low-drag types, nothing like that. Of course, that was a few years ago...

Also, Sampson, do you know when the state of Washington stopped doing the special commissions? I had one several years ago, including an 'oath' administered by a brass-level trooper who didn't look like he could tie his own shoes :rolleyes:

Hi wilrobnson,

I don't know when the State stopped issuing Special Commissions. In fact, I was not aware that any were ever issued except for the railroad police. I do know that DNR, State Parks, Lottery Commission, Liquor Board, and possibly corrections do have limited police powers, but they are more in the form of statutory authority (they are given powers by state law and they issue commission cards from within). I am interested to know who issued yours and what it looked like?

I have seen evidence of when a few of the community colleges were commissioned (old badges/patches/signs), but its hard to say when that was in place. Currently, the R.C.W. only allows 4 year colleges/universities to be commissioned. I am guessing that the two year colleges obtained commissions from local agencies.

In the Eastern part of the U.S., private security, with the proper training, can
obtain special commissions that are active while they are working and on company property. It would be nice to see something like that happen in Washington State.

[OccamsRazor]

I have seen evidence of when a few of the community colleges were commissioned (old badges/patches/signs), but its hard to say when that was in place. Currently, the R.C.W. only allows 4 year colleges/universities to be commissioned. I am guessing that the two year colleges obtained commissions from local agencies.


Didn't Highline Community College have it's own PD awhile back?

[Sampson]

Didn't Highline Community College have it's own PD awhile back?

Very interesting subject there. Check this story out! Many years ago, Highline was in un-incorporated King County. From what I understand, they felt they needed to have some sort of police presence on campus, so they assumed the title of Police Officer. This included badges, patches, and patrol cars with police markings and emergency lighting (most colleges use red or red/blue because they have statutory authority to control traffic). This went on until just a few years ago (well after the college was annexed into the city of Des Moines).

I remember asking them about how they could use the title of Police Officer. they told me it was just like any other job title (like Janitor). They were not commissioned and had the same authority as Campus Security Officers at the other State colleges.

It appears that the State job description for Campus Police Officers and Campus Security Officers is identical with the exception of a required police academy. So, to circumvent this, Highline would send their officers to a reserve academy to satisfy the job description. Good pay too!

Here is something stranger. I vaguely remember that Tacoma PD used to issue licenses to individuals who wanted to work as private police officers at a fixed location (security dressed up like a police officer). These were individuals who wore a police uniform, but had no affiliation with the city and no commission of any sort. I guess it was more of a visual deterrent for businesses.

[OccamsRazor]

It appears that the State job description for Campus Police Officers and Campus Security Officers is identical with the exception of a required police academy. So, to circumvent this, Highline would send their officers to a reserve academy to satisfy the job description. Good pay too!

Yeah, didn't they run a reserve academy there as well?

[Sampson]

Yeah, didn't they run a reserve academy there as well?

Yes. Highline, Tacoma, and Everett community colleges had an academy. I believe T.C.C. still does. South Seattle used to have a corrections academy.

[OccamsRazor]

Yes. Highline, Tacoma, and Everett community colleges had an academy. I believe T.C.C. still does. South Seattle used to have a corrections academy.

Don't forget Renton Vo-Tech...I took theirs sometime in the last century (!), dunno if it's still in operation though.

[Mr. Security]

Very interesting subject there. Check this story out! Many years ago, Highline was in un-incorporated King County. From what I understand, they felt they needed to have some sort of police presence on campus, so they assumed the title of Police Officer. This included badges, patches, and patrol cars with police markings and emergency lighting (most colleges use red or red/blue because they have statutory authority to control traffic). This went on until just a few years ago (well after the college was annexed into the city of Des Moines).

I remember asking them about how they could use the title of Police Officer. they told me it was just like any other job title (like Janitor). They were not commissioned and had the same authority as Campus Security Officers at the other State colleges.

It appears that the State job description for Campus Police Officers and Campus Security Officers is identical with the exception of a required police academy. So, to circumvent this, Highline would send their officers to a reserve academy to satisfy the job description. Good pay too!

Here is something stranger. I vaguely remember that Tacoma PD used to issue licenses to individuals who wanted to work as private police officers at a fixed location (security dressed up like a police officer). These were individuals who wore a police uniform, but had no affiliation with the city and no commission of any sort. I guess it was more of a visual deterrent for businesses.

Just when I thought I had heard it all..... :)

[N. A. Corbier]

Heh. Up here, alot of the local private college's job description for "campus public safety officer" is identical to that of a police officer. Public colleges get sworn law enforcement officers, but not why you think: The AFL-CIO successfully sued a state college, when the WI Dept. of Justice mandated that their "campus security guards" be fully sworn law enforcement officers. The reason for this, the case law goes, is that they had the same mission as a law enforcement officer, worked for the state, were commissioned as "special deputies" in some cases, and were required to enforce public law.


Sounds like a cop to me, right? So, they were required to be POST certified. The AFL-CIO sued, as the guards were union, stating that it was unfair that the guards required POST to keep their jobs, as only 2 had POST. The State required to send them to POST.

[Lawson]

I am looking at Virginia.

[OccamsRazor]

FYI, in case you're interested, the police academy in Burien is hosting a CJ job fair tomorrow, 1300-1600.

[jakeslife]

Our company does some work at the Port of Seattle and lots of stuff for a major airline at SeaTac airport.

Our officers also used to be Deputy Sheriffs, commissioned by the county about 25-30 years ago. The rusted badges are hanging in our lobby to prove it. LOL

[SpecialAgentKC]

"Conservator of the Peace" status does not exist in Washington State law. I've held "special police" commissions at several agencies for which I've worked. "Special Police" can mean various things. You can commission a volunteer to enforce disabled parking stall violations or you can commission someone with full police powers to enforce the laws of the state (reserve police officer) or anything in between.

Special Police Commissions are defined in Chapter 10.93 RCW. Any general authority agency can issue them--so, they're not limited to counties and cities. The Chief of the State Patrol could issue them if he so chose and essentially does for Commerical Vehicle Enforcement Officers (very limited powers), but, do not have reserve troopers. State Deputy Fire Marshals can also hold a commission--but they currently don't. Department of Fish and Wildlife had, but discontinued, their reserve program.

Typically security police assignments, such as watershed inspectors and the like, hold special commissions from their city's police departments. They also may carry a water pollution special police officer commission (which is actually a limited peace officer commission granted by the mayor) which authorizes enforcement within and without a city's boundaries on city property.

Aside from reserve police assignments, I've held a special police commission as the Highline College police chief, as the Bremerton watershed inspector and as a local County fire/arson investigator. Highline College currently holds no police authority (save the limited grant of authority relative to parking and traffic regulation). Port of Tacoma has the authority to issue their own commissions or to hold Tacoma Police Department special police commissions. They choose to do neither at present.

Tacoma Police commissions the road use compliance officers and other enforcement positions not located within the department. As for Seattle City Center emergency services unit and some of the other commission eligible positions (such as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers) they typically aren't limited to parking enforcement. Auburn School District police officers carry special police commissions from the city. Highline Public Schools (where I also work) and Tacoma Public Schools, who employ some armed patrol personnel do not. Spokane (unarmed) has some specially commissioned school security officers.

At places such as Pacific Lutheran University, where the Campus Safety Supervisors carry a special deputy sheriff commission, they are indeed limited to parking enforcement authority. Their director is a supervisory PCSO deputy (presently a sergeant, to my understanding) on contract and they use deputies to patrol around the school and Campus Safety actively works campus proper.

Notwithstanding the excellent railroad police example, the federal government routinely commissions private security personnel. You'll see this example frequently on military and naval posts such as Bangor (security police are contract folks) and at federal courthouses. Court Security Officers are typically AKAL Security, RAM Security, DynCorp or the like and they are commissioned and armed special deputy U.S. Marshals while on duty. As for Hanford Patrol, I believe they have a mix of personnel responsible for their security program. They bulk of them work for a private entity (to my understanding) and carry a federal commission. They are not all federal employees.

Private security was frequently commissioned in Washington State many years ago, however, liability concerns became the controlling factor together with the inception of security guard regulation. The closest thing you'll find to "conservator" status is the authority of certain cemetery personnel to enforce the law (to include making lawful arrests) within a reasonable radius of their property. I hope some of my insight helps.... --K.

[SEO_09]

"I am looking at Virginia."

If you need info about the Virginia Conservator of the Peace certification PM me and I can give you a heads up. I am currently an SCOP out of the Hampton Roads Area.

[SpecialAgentKC]

SEO 09: Perhaps I misunderstood. I believe he was wondering if there was the functional equivalent of the VA system in WA. I surmise he was looking at VA as a comparison and contrasting that to what may or may not exist here in the Evergreen State. Take care. --K.

[SEO_09]

SEO 09: Perhaps I misunderstood. I believe he was wondering if there was the functional equivalent of the VA system in WA. I surmise he was looking at VA as a comparison and contrasting that to what may or may not exist here in the Evergreen State. Take care. --K.

That would make sence. I don't know of too many other places that have fully sworn private police like in VA, there is of course the Company Police system in NC, but that is as close as I know of. There is nothing in MA.

[sgtnewby]

I know there are some guys at Hanford that are private security, that do have 'special' commissions, I met one on a tour a few years ago.

I used to hold (A LONG TIME AGO) a special commission here in WA, but it was also a security position for the state. I just checked, and that position doesn't even exist anymore. I am OLD :(

Maybe you coud change jobs within your company? Try this one:

http://www.wsihq.com/careers_nevada.asp


If I didn't listen to Art Bell and Coast to Coast AM so much, I might have a shot... ;)

[sgtnewby]

"Conservator of the Peace" status does not exist in Washington State law. I've held "special police" commissions at several agencies for which I've worked. "Special Police" can mean various things. You can commission a volunteer to enforce disabled parking stall violations or you can commission someone with full police powers to enforce the laws of the state (reserve police officer) or anything in between.



Reserves in MN cannot be commissioned with full police powers. They can however, enforce non-moving and non-criminal laws and city ordinances.