American Security Patrol - Milton WA

[Lawson]

Anyone heard of these guys?

www.asiwashington.com

I dropped a resume with them.

[mjw064]

They have a stupid out of the box type website.

[Lawson]

Yeah, the website was kind of a turn off, but State Patrol is taking longer than expected for my hiring process (waiting for them to finish the background so I can do the psych and medical and be done) so Im looking to get on somewhere for the meantime.

[SpecialAgentKC]

Lawson:

No. Never heard of 'em. BTW, for the meantime, should you be interested: https://www.bates.ctc.edu/jobs/browsejobs.aspx?type=2
--K.

[Lawson]

Thanks for looking out, that position would be perfect. Just applied.

[SpecialAgentKC]

'Salright. While you're at it:

http://www.cityoflakewood.us/employment-opportunities/court-compliance-officer---closes-8-21.html

and

http://www2.tacoma.k12.wa.us/edrmonline/html/app/app_Positions_JobDetail.asp?PosType=2&JobYear=2007&JobNumber=468&JobCode=1&pName=Security Patrol Officer&pLoc=Building and Grounds Security&bFile=EmplBnfts.pdf

Good luck. --K.

[Lawson]

I got hired on by ASP, first shift is tonight, we'll see how things go.

[SpecialAgentKC]

I got hired on by ASP, first shift is tonight, we'll see how things go.

So, what's the verdict?!? --K.

[Lawson]

So, what's the verdict?!? --K.

Its been a decent gig so far. I'll go more into depth later on.

[Swifty]

Hey Lawson, still no update on the new job. If they are good I am looking for a part time gig on the side right now. Are they looking for people?

[Lawson]

Didn't mean to skirt the details...

Basically it's generally a good security company from what I've seen in my little time there. There are things I do and don't like.

Pros:

For one, we work primarily apartment complexes, which I enjoy for the most part. We also have a small municipal airport and a county drunk tank.

It's up to you whether you want to be armed or not. Every site we have is an "officer's choice." So we don't currently have any sites that say "no armed officers" or "no unarmed."

Free uniforms. We get sent to Blumenthals to be outfitted for a pair of pants, a shirt, and a ball-cap. Duty equipment is up to you.

Patrol cars, we currently have a 2003 Chevy Impala and a 2000 Dodge Durango, theres also a new Dodge Magnum that is supposedly being transferred from the owner's to the company's insurance. From what I hear, we're supposed to be getting a new Durango and the owner wants to get 3 marked chargers (everything as of now is unmarked).

Patrol routes. I'm not a big fan of on-site work. Most of our stuff is actually on patrol routes, which I enjoy much more-so.

K-9s. Though they aren't on the road quite yet (they are young) the owner has purchased two german shepards. I think one is being trained for tracking while the other is being trained for bomb or narcotic detection.

Decent pay. The pay generally starts at $10.00/hr. It's not super-awesome-terrific, but it holds me down.

Decent admin. Our supervisors and boss are generally willing to work with you. If you have a scheduling issue, or need a night off or have complaints, they are usually quick to try to help you and allieviate the problems. With our national gas prices through the roof, the boss has from time to time put a little fuel in our tanks and deducted it from our upcoming check when we are hurting for money and need the fuel. So things are nice in this area.

Upcoming company. I forsee this company as up and coming as a big name in the industry locally. The boss is continually looking into bigger and better contracts and continually trying to get us cooler stuff.

Cons:

Primarily what I do not like is vehicle usage. I realize this is a common thing amongst a lot of us here, but still... We have a patrol district that most of the sites are close together, but are still at such a distance you need vehicular transport to do them. You end up putting about 20-30 miles on your car with 0 fuel reimbursement. This also puts your car up for damage as we dont work in the nicest of neighborhoods.

High-Crime, low equip. Currently I am unarmed awaiting my armed certificate to go through. Till then, I still find myself working sites where we get shots fired calls at least once a week. I find myself solo breaking up parties of 20-30 people, and have damn near been ambushed by gang members. This all the while, we have armed officers working "safer" districts where assaults, shots fireds, and other violent calls are practically unheard of. Even though I am TASER certified, I find myself going out TASERless because the city I certified through is dragging their feet on sending me a copy of my cert. In WA it is not required to be certified to carry a TASER as an S/O.

Last minute scheduling. Though this problem is just about squashed, we generally find out what our schedule is going to be week by week. There have been times I have been up, in uniform, in my car, on my way to work when I have gotten a call saying, "hey, just to let you know, you're off tonight." Like I said, I think this problem has been pretty much squashed as we get our schedules 2 weeks in advance, but it still lingers.

Daily shift briefings. This I put in the con area, but its somewhat of a pro. I like the idea of having shift briefings. We are able to go over what happened where and what we need to put extra support onto; however.... what I dont like is the fact that sometimes I have to drive 20 miles to the office for the briefing when I live 2 miles from the area I'm patrolling that night. It's okay if I know I will be picking up a patrol car and going from there, but to drive 20 miles to the office, 20 miles back to my patrol route, then 20 miles back to drop off my equipment and reports, then 20 miles back home... it becomes a little killer on the car.

----

My overall assessment. It's a young and growing company. My cons for the most part are "growing pains" I believe. Things are consistently getting better, but it's not the complete #1 greatest security company out there.

[CorpSec]

Working dumps for $10 an hour? Almost getting ambushed by gang members for $10 an hour? I know money isn't everything, but weren't you making $15 an hour with great benefits at BHR? I don't know many people that could afford to take a 50% pay cut and lose their bennies.

What happened with Harborview Medical Center? That gig seemed to be an upgrade from BHR.

Different things motivate different people and at the end of the day if you are happy with with where you work that is all that really matters. With that being said, I would be on the lookout for a better paying gig with benefits.

[SecTrainer]

Have you figured out what you're making after gas these days, to say nothing of taxes and vehicle depreciation? I'm sure you know what you're doing, but I don't quite get this or putting your eggs in one basket with the state patrol either, which is kind of a long shot. I heard that last round they had a zillion apps for every slot and everyone they hired had a minimum of 5 years full time local LE and could do the 100-yard dash in 0.42 milliseconds while playing "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog" (Three Dog Night in case you're just a whippersnapper) on the kazoo. Rumor?

[bigshotceo]

Working dumps for $10 an hour? Almost getting ambushed by gang members for $10 an hour? I know money isn't everything, but weren't you making $15 an hour with great benefits at BHR? I don't know many people that could afford to take a 50% pay cut and lose their bennies.

What happened with Harborview Medical Center? That gig seemed to be an upgrade from BHR.

Different things motivate different people and at the end of the day if you are happy with with where you work that is all that really matters. With that being said, I would be on the lookout for a better paying gig with benefits.

He is NOT making $10 an hour. Why, you may ask?

He would be making $10 an hour if he were paid the minute he showed up for work and had no work-related expenses except for those common in most occupational fields (for example, gas costs involved in going to from a single work site, costs of washing your uniforms in a washing machine, owning a decent pair of dress shoes, etc..). However, from what he's told and from what I can guess in my experience he has the following additional expenses.

1) Duty equipment, including some expensive items such as bullet-resistent vests.
2) Unpaid time spend driving to the office for briefing and attending the briefing itself.
3) Gas costs involved in going to/from said briefing.
4) Gas costs involved in going from site to site.
5) Certification costs. Granted, some of them are agruably "career-builders" but I would be hesitent to suggest so.
6) Maybe more I'm not thinking of.

I would suggest that factoring in all of these items together, and spreading the costs of each item for the item's longspan (for example, for a $500 vest that lasts five years, $100 a year) I would suggest that he is in fact making $7 to $9 an hour.

I'm curious; Lawson, do you have medical benefits or sick days? I ask because from what I understand the chances of you being assaulted are very real. (isn't it sad that the security companies that are most likely to put you in harm's way are least likely to offer benefits?)

[Swifty]

Yeah personally I am thinking that Lawson is out of his mind if this is actually what is happening. Hell, First Response pays 13 per hour to start, very little danger at all and you even get to drive one of their cars. The job at the hotel in seattle that was posted on here a few weeks ago pays 12.75 and is mainly customer service. Seems like you are kind of getting the shaft there Lawson. If you have all the experience it sounds like you have you need to find a better position and stick with it. Even this place would be better http://forums.securityinfowatch.com/showthread.php?t=5236
SWIFTY

[SpecialAgentKC]

Lawson:

Should you be interested, this would be a promising option:

http://bellevuecollege.edu/joblist/008071.htm

Pretty nice environment, safer area, more pay and authority to enforce campus rules and regs to include parking/traffic violations (fully marked units w/ reds and blues). Plus, if WSP picks you up--you'll be able to count your time there towards some of your benefit accruals since it's a state job. Good luck. --K.

[SpecialAgentKC]

And another...a hop, skip and a jump away from Milton:

Community Service Officer – City of Algona – $2560 to $3142/mo. DOQ. Contact agency for requirements. This classification carries a limited police commission. Application packets are available at City Hall – 402 Warde Street, Algona, WA 98001 or contact Laurie Ulrich @ 253-833-2897. Position opened until filled. (ad placed 03/11/08)

--K.

[Lawson]

Well, this isn't going to be a long term solution for me. I got denied State Patrol, I got pretty far in the process, but ultimately was not selected. I also applied and interviewed with Bates Technical College, but they called and said the processes were all cancelled, so that fell through.

I didn't have all my eggs in the State Patrol basket, I'm consistently shopping around.

ASP probably isn't going to be a long term solution for me, but it's holding me down. The gas is my biggest concern right now, with gas being about a hundred thousand dollars a fill-up, it's constantly getting tighter and tighter.

The job is Okay, there's a couple sites I particularly like working.

BHR had better pay and benefits, but I was absolutely going nuts working there. I mean bad... to the point I was going into a depression.

Thanks for the job postings, I'm going to follow them up.

[Mr. Security]

Bummer on the patrol denial. :( What about other LE positions?

[CorpSec]

Your health, physical and otherwise, really is the most important thing. So, getting out of a gig that was throwing you into a depression was a good move.

However, with your talents and committment to security I think you are underpaid and underemployed in this new position.

[SpecialAgentKC]

SEATTLE AREA:

I work for these guys off-duty as a federal prisoner escort officer on their U.S. Marshals Service contract (for a different rate, though). SecureTrans is on this board (he's my boss). At any rate, it's a good company and it appears as though they're growing.... Give it a shot? Take care. --K.

Armed Security Officer (Seattle area)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-06-12, 9:58AM PDT


SecureTrans, LLC is seeking officers with an State of WA Private Security ARMED license for Fri., Sat., Sun., Mon. patrol shift in the Seattle area. Estimated hours: 36-40 per week. $16.00 per hour.

Position is working with one other officer each shift. Potential for other shifts in future.

Must have armed license and be certified on Glock 17.

At this time, SecureTrans pays the fee to obtain or to transfer the WA State Private Security Guard License.


TO APPLY: Please bring a valid, government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to apply in-person only on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays 10:00 to 3:00 p.m.

No faxed or emailed resumes accepted.

SecureTrans - 4634 East Marginal Way South, Suite C-103, Seattle, WA 98134
Call for driving directions: 206-762-2823.

Our office is just north of the "Indoor Arena Soccer" facility.

[Swifty]

So you can only take that position with securetrans if you are presently licensed armed? I am very interested in the position but us in house guys don't have to be licensed in WA. I have been licensed in the past when I was still working contract but it has since expired by more than a year so it would seem I am deemed unqualified:eek: ? I am going to give these guys a call because I have heard nothing but good things about them but I may be stuck working part time at some "less than perfect" contract place before I can get back to the good jobs if everyone keeps requiring you bring your license with you.

[SpecialAgentKC]

Swifty: They have unarmed and armed positions. One of there niches is the Cruise Line industry (screeners, etc.). So, there's always the possibility of going unarmed and work into something else.... They have EDD K-9 units and a few other things.... And the USMS contract. That pays about $24/hr., but, it requires that you are an active, former or retired LEO....

Give 'em a call, they're nice folks. --K.

[Lawson]

...and at approximately 1600-hrs today, I resigned.

[Swifty]

...and at approximately 1600-hrs today, I resigned.

Did you at least take your armed license with you? Transferability is key! :p

[mjw064]

...and at approximately 1600-hrs today, I resigned.

wow???????

[Charlie Fox]

...and at approximately 1600-hrs today, I resigned.

Sooo.....fill us in:confused:

[Lawson]

Sorry I didn't write more, I was pretty sleepy at the time and couldnt hold myself awake to write all I wanted to.

Anyway....

My primary concern for leaving was paycheck issues. During my 3 months there I've been issued 3 paychecks that were NSF. It came very close to the point where I was about to turn my checks over to the WA State Dept of Labor and Industries, and the Sheriff's Office.

There were some other goofy things being implemented that I didnt care for.

For instance, one of our on-sites was complaining that residents weren't seeing the guard enough. Well this is a huge property with only one guard so that would be somewhat natural. So our company decided the guards were sitting in the cars for too long, and to remedy this situation? The patrol guy working the area of this site now drives the guard to the site after briefing and picks them up after the shift and takes them back to the office, they are not allowed to bring their car to the site. If it's pouring down rain, and storming, tough. We dont have the key to any indoor area to come out of the weather except a bathroom.

Then the boss has apparently decided that our duty gear is causing too much wear and tear on the seats of the car, so he is going to mandate that no one is allowed to wear anything on the back of their duty belts. This including our guards who have a waist so small you could wrap them up in a tortilla shell. One of the cars is a 2003 Impala and one a 2000 or 1999 Dodge Durango, seats getting worn out is just simply going to become natural.

The other straw, was being required to patrol so many sites that require "x" amounts of hits per night then having more and more duties tacked onto us. On a regular night, if I patrol and take 1 or 2 calls for service, and spend maybe 5-6 minutes on each site, I may be able to get all the hits done. Suddenly we get notice that we need to stop at each site, get out, walk around, etc.... but we still have to get all our hits done.

And last I can think of at this point, was goofy duties... the one I couldn't stand the most, was they wanted us to go around and look into people's cars for items that may attract a car prowler. If we found something we were to put a notice on their windshield explaining such. I found this absolutely ridiculous. Eventually these prowlers are going to figure out what these notices are, and instead of spending 30 mins to and hour walking around, trying to find a car, looking suspicious, giving people time to call us or the cops, we're putting notices on cars that say, "HEY!!! SECURITY FOUND SOME GOOD S*** IN THIS ONE!!!" Not to mention, how comfortable would you be with having a security guard looking down into your car, looking for "stuff that could be stolen" ????

That's pretty much it for now, at this time I cant really reccommend this company to anyone.

[Charlie Fox]

Unfortunately that sounds pretty standard for the industry around here:(

I hate the whole "over reaction is the best reaction" routine some owners go through when things are perceived to be "not right". The problem is that most haven't done the job for a few years and lose touch with the realities. Oh well, nature of the beast I guess.

[CorpSec]

Did you give proper notice or did you just up and quit?

[SpecialAgentKC]

Washingtonians: Any of y'all have any access control (integrated security system) and key control experience?!? We'll be advertising for an access control administrator as early as next week. Ballpark's $19-$23/hr. plus full benefits.... --K.

[Lawson]

Did you give proper notice or did you just up and quit?

I couldnt afford proper notice. I just up and quit.

At every other job Ive ever had Ive given as close to a month's notice as possible. But when I have to worry about getting paid or not, I cant afford to stick around for the extra two weeks.

[Lawson]

Washingtonians: Any of y'all have any access control (integrated security system) and key control experience?!? We'll be advertising for an access control administrator as early as next week. Ballpark's $19-$23/hr. plus full benefits.... --K.

Is that like Lenel and whatnot?

[SpecialAgentKC]

Is that like Lenel and whatnot?

PM incoming.... --K.

[Patrol64]

Just wanted to add my two cents:

I called them on the phone last year regarding work and they were nothing but rude. At least the female that answered the phone! They are a private security company looking to hire transport officers for the fed prisoners and are expecting to hire only LE or retired when departments are having a heck of a time as it is! I was a commissioned corrections officer for many years and transports were my primary job. They said because I wasnt a police officer I couldnt do it. Thats putting it nice! I got treated like a moron!! Not to put down police officers, but correctional personel deal with transport issues on a daily basis. Most prisoners that are brought in to be booked by a road officer havent been searched very well, if at all. I dont mean to go off here, I just felt very much disrespected and dont think they should have limited the hiring to just police officers. A week later I saw the new CL ad and they added no correctional officers or security. Maybe its changed, who knows but I wouldnt work for them.

[mjw064]

Just wanted to add my two cents:

I called them on the phone last year regarding work and they were nothing but rude. At least the female that answered the phone! They are a private security company looking to hire transport officers for the fed prisoners and are expecting to hire only LE or retired when departments are having a heck of a time as it is! I was a commissioned corrections officer for many years and transports were my primary job. They said because I wasnt a police officer I couldnt do it. Thats putting it nice! I got treated like a moron!! Not to put down police officers, but correctional personel deal with transport issues on a daily basis. Most prisoners that are brought in to be booked by a road officer havent been searched very well, if at all. I dont mean to go off here, I just felt very much disrespected and dont think they should have limited the hiring to just police officers. A week later I saw the new CL ad and they added no correctional officers or security. Maybe its changed, who knows but I wouldnt work for them.

I believe their reasoning has to do with LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004), which allows Law Enforcement Officers to carry weapons anywhere in the United States without regard for state and local firearms laws. Most of the transport jobs I have seen are using off-duty officers covered under LEOSA.

[bigdog]

I believe their reasoning has to do with LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004), which allows Law Enforcement Officers to carry weapons anywhere in the United States without regard for state and local firearms laws. Most of the transport jobs I have seen are using off-duty officers covered under LEOSA. I know in florida, state certified corrections officers meet the definition of a law enforcment officer under leosa.

[Patrol64]

I could be wrong, but I think it came down to retirement as to what a corrections officer was to be classified in. In 1977 in Washington State the Firefighters and Police Officers formed LEOFF or law enforcement officers and fire fighters retirement system. Corrections officers were not included. They had to be put on the public retirement system and work until 65. It varies state to state... I have heard if you are contracted by the feds, then some of those laws apply while carrying out orders, like transporting their prisoners.

I dont want to get off track... I am sure we could talk retirement all day... I did see a job post by Secure-trans that they were allowing former MP's as well. That didnt make any sense to me... Most MP's do the same job, but once you leave the service, you dont have a state certification or commission card.

I wont beat a dead horse too long, I just think it makes interesting coffee talk.

[mjw064]

I could be wrong, but I think it came down to retirement as to what a corrections officer was to be classified in.

If you are referring to Corrections Officers in regards to LEOSA the determining factor will be arrest powers. If a Correctional Officer has arrest powers (no matter how limited), is authorized to carry a weapon by the agency, has qualified with a weapon at least once per year, works for a government agency and is in possession of his credentials, he would be covered. The same Corrections Officer would also be covered in retirement under LEOSA. However some states do not recognize Corrections Officers as LEO's (Maryland for instance) and do not grant them any arrest powers ... thus they are not covered under LEOSA.

[mjw064]

I know in florida, state certified corrections officers meet the definition of a law enforcment officer under leosa.

Yeah they probably do as long as they have Stutory Arrest Powers. The problem is that most security companies are probably not well versed in LEOSA (most LEO's aren't either for that matter) and just assume that Corrections Officers aren't covered and thus not eligible for those private prisoner transport gigs. In some states such as New York and New Jersey, Corrections Officers have statewide on-duty and off-duty arrest powers. They are fully recognized as police officers inside the walls, as all CO's should be.

[SpecialAgentKC]

SecureTrans is operating under a United States Marshals Service contract. USMS specifies what will or will not qualify, not the company. The positions are not deputed as SDUSMs as in the Court Security Officer program, but, they are covered to carry/use firearms and enforce laws while on duty (retaking prisoners, etc.). . . . It's a pretty decent off-duty gig. --K.

[bigdog]

Yeah they probably do as long as they have Stutory Arrest Powers. The problem is that most security companies are probably not well versed in LEOSA (most LEO's aren't either for that matter) and just assume that Corrections Officers aren't covered and thus not eligible for those private prisoner transport gigs. In some states such as New York and New Jersey, Corrections Officers have statewide on-duty and off-duty arrest powers. They are fully recognized as police officers inside the walls, as all CO's should be.

They have one statute that allows them to arrest so they are covered.

843.04 Refusing to assist prison officers in arresting escaped convicts.--
(1) All prison officers and correctional officers shall immediately arrest any convict, held under the provisions of law, who may have escaped. Any such officer or guard may call upon the sheriff or other officer of the state, or of any county or municipal corporation, or any citizen, to make search and arrest such convict.


(2) Any officer or citizen refusing to assist shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 (http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=prison%20officer%5D&URL=Ch0775/Sec082.HTM) or s. 775.083. (http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=prison%20officer%5D&URL=Ch0775/Sec083.HTM)

[Patrol64]

I carried a commission from the sheriff, not the state. WA State does not recognize correctional officers as LEO's. They did years ago, but because of the retirement issues, they fell into regular public employee, like a teacher. It was really sad to see that happen... We preform law enforcement duties, carry firearms and have arrest powers but because of the state language, could not be classified as a LEO.

So at times, it screwed things up when it came to off duty gigs and other related things.

CO's do not get the credit or benefits they deserve in many states including Washington.

[SpecialAgentKC]

Corrections officers are considered limited authority Washington peace officers pursuant to Chapter 10.93 RCW. They can carry by virtue of their law enforcement authority in lieu of a CPL:

AGO 2006 No. 15 - July 06, 2006
Rob McKenna, Attorney General of Washington

1. Corrections officers may carry concealed pistols without obtaining a concealed weapon permit if they meet the statutory definition of a law enforcement officer and are authorized by the Department of Corrections to carry a concealed weapon.

2. Under RCW 10.93.020(4), corrections officers are limited authority Washington peace officers if they meet the requirements set forth in that statute.

3. Corrections officers who meet the definition of “limited authority Washington peace officers” under RCW 10.93.020(4) are “law enforcement officers” for the purposes of RCW 9.41, but not necessarily for other purposes.

http://www.atg.wa.gov/opinion.aspx?section=topic&id=2822

Further, Corrections/Custody personnel no longer fall under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). They now are under the new Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS) which closely resembles the Law Enforcement Offficers and Firefighters (LEOFF) retirement system.

PSERS also covers other limited authority peace officers such as Park Rangers, Liquor Control Board enforcement agents, Gambling Commission special agents, DNR Law Enforcement Officers, etc. Exceptions exist for personnel working for first class cities (they have their own municipal systems with full reciprocity with other state retirement) to include the Cities of Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane. Details of eligibility are found here: www.drs.wa.gov . --K.

[mjw064]

I carried a commission from the sheriff, not the state. WA State does not recognize correctional officers as LEO's. They did years ago, but because of the retirement issues, they fell into regular public employee, like a teacher. It was really sad to see that happen... We preform law enforcement duties, carry firearms and have arrest powers but because of the state language, could not be classified as a LEO.

The whole retirement plan doesn't really have anything to do with retirement plans. You can look at the Federal Government for that ... although all Special Agents qualify for the Federal Law Enforcment Retirement Plan (6c), very few of the Federal Uniformed Police Officers (series 0083) are eligible, but they are still Police Officers.

[Patrol64]

PSERS is new to the retirement system. It was not around when I was a CO.

Most correctional officers dont meet the requirements in those laws. I have been over most of all these issues with my Supervisors and the PA's office.

The sheriff can commission pretty much anyone they want. They have a lot of power... It still doesnt mean that CO meets the standards and are not considered LE.