On Funerals and Lawsuits: CIS

[N. A. Corbier]

CLEARWATER - Aimee Farrell wore the uniform of her employer, Critical Intervention Services, as she lay in her casket at her funeral.

Farrell, 20, loved her job as a security officer with CIS and saw it as a stepping-stone to her dream career as a police officer.

But on Dec. 11, 2001, she was brutally raped and murdered in her Clearwater Beach apartment...

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/09/Northpinellas/Finding_false_sense_o.shtml

Basically, 20 year old woman worked for CIS of Clearwater, Florida. She lived on a property that CIS provided services for. If, by her retired radio call sign, they meant "ALPHA" or "ALFA," then she was an armed RMO, which is basically a regular armed officer. (No BDUs and door kicking required.)

So, a few questions for the group:

Anyone see merit in the suit? Keeping in mind that "doorman" positions are generally observe and report, something CIS isn't known for. The article implies that CIS hired the existing door guards, but they also got a call sign incorrect. (ADAM isn't in the military phonetic alphabet...)

Anyone see pros and cons for having LODD funerals for security personnel? And, having LODD funerals for those not LODD? (She was murdered in her apartment by someone she knew, not killed at work protecting someone.)

[Mr. Security]

Unfortunately, lawsuits are common whenever death ensues, whether deserved or not. IF she was an armed officer entrusted to protect others, it would seem reasonable to conclude that she had more training than other civilians in terms of minimizing the risk of becoming a crime victim.

The problem with articles like this is that we just don't have all the facts to know for sure one way or another. It was nice that her company treated the funeral as special. Most would simply list your name in an employee newsletter.

[Black Caesar]

Edit, never mind, I read it wrong...

[Chucky]

Remember the TV show 1 Adam 12? The Adam could be just a inter company designation. As far as the funeral goes I think in a converse sort of way it is a good thing. Although not LODD never the less anyone that attended it will see a dead person in a security uniform and will never forget every time they see a security officer the pride some have in their trade. If you think about all the kids that are buried in baseball, Football uniforms etc then my point is sort of the same.

[GCMC Security]

Remember the TV show 1 Adam 12? The Adam could be just a inter company designation. As far as the funeral goes I think in a converse sort of way it is a good thing. Although not LODD never the less anyone that attended it will see a dead person in a security uniform and will never forget every time they see a security officer the pride some have in their trade. If you think about all the kids that are buried in baseball, Football uniforms etc then my point is sort of the same.

Although right on with the Adam comment. CIS uses the term Alpha for thier armed Risk Management Officers.

[N. A. Corbier]

ADAM is APCO Alphabet, ALFA or ALPHA is Military Phonetic Alphabet.

[Christopherstjo]

It occurs to me, to ask, whether or not the company bending over backwards to help the family during their time of grief was not a way to try to avoid the lawsuit or minimize the potential jury award against the company. Based on the article, it sure smells like a company rat.

[N. A. Corbier]

It occurs to me, to ask, whether or not the company bending over backwards to help the family during their time of grief was not a way to try to avoid the lawsuit or minimize the potential jury award against the company. Based on the article, it sure smells like a company rat.

They do it for all employees. CIS funerals are famous in Florida.

[Chucky]

ADAM is APCO Alphabet, ALFA or ALPHA is Military Phonetic Alphabet.
Ok then what is Alpo?

[N. A. Corbier]

A Registered Trademark of Ralston-Purina Corporation.

[Chucky]

This is a quote taken from the CIS site. "establish probable cause for law enforcement" Doesn't security with police powers have to abide by the same rules as the police when it comes to probable cause?

"To target the dealers, we use conspicuous presence, surveillance, and establish probable cause for law enforcement arrest."

[N. A. Corbier]

This is a quote taken from the CIS site. "establish probable cause for law enforcement" Doesn't security with police powers have to abide by the same rules as the police when it comes to probable cause?

Security officers in Florida do not have police powers. Only a sworn law enforcement officer may make an arrest by statute. Private citizens may make "detentions" under certain circumstances, usually retail theft and disorderly in a licensed establishment.

At that time, they may, as well as a LEO, make a misdemeanor arrest for probable cause, when normally (with exceptions) a LEO may not make a probable cause arrest for a misdemeanor.

The claim of having "police" or "arrest" authority could be construed by DOACS (the licensing board) as "official authority," which FSS 493 specifically prohibits for private security.

[kjtw]

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/09/No..._sense_o.shtml

Basically, 20 year old woman worked for CIS of Clearwater, Florida. She lived on a property that CIS provided services for. If, by her retired radio call sign, they meant "ALPHA" or "ALFA," then she was an armed RMO, which is basically a regular armed officer. (No BDUs and door kicking required.)

So, a few questions for the group:

Anyone see merit in the suit? Keeping in mind that "doorman" positions are generally observe and report, something CIS isn't known for. The article implies that CIS hired the existing door guards, but they also got a call sign incorrect. (ADAM isn't in the military phonetic alphabet...)

Anyone see pros and cons for having LODD funerals for security personnel? And, having LODD funerals for those not LODD? (She was murdered in her apartment by someone she knew, not killed at work protecting someone.)

Sorry to ressurect an old thread, but I ran across this and wanted to comment.

Aimee worked in the CIS Operations Center as a communications officer (dispatcher). She did not work in the field. Her callsign was Adam 60 (Adam was, at the time, used to designate these personnel).

The location that Aimee lived, although staffed with CIS personnel, was a quiet location. The officer assigned to work that night did exactly what he was supposed to do. There was nothing more that he could have done.

Everything that CIS did for Aimee and her family was because we lost a member of our staff, more a member of our family. There was no other reason. Her death, and the circumstances that surrounded it, struck the staff of CIS to the core. I don't know of a single employee at the time that wasn't effected.

It saddened me when I heard that a lawsuit had been filed. Although I wasn't surprised (due to the environment that we live in), it angered me. Aimee's death was due to the criminal act of one person, not the fault of the property she lived or the security company hired to provide services. If there was something that could have been done, we would have done it!

CIS did what CIS does...cared for one of its own. Simple as that. Unfortunately, CIS has been involved in a number of funerals for employees over the years. Even more unfortunate, there will be more. Regardless of how the person died, the fact still remains that a part of the family was lost. CIS will do anything and everything to help take care of everyone in the company.

[gixxer32404]

I was about to say she was 20. And the possession law for a firearmis 21. I believe the only exception is 19 for a LEO. Glad u explained better.

[gcmc security part 2]

I was about to say she was 20. And the possession law for a firearmis 21. I believe the only exception is 19 for a LEO. Glad u explained better.

You can have a G License under 21. But you cannot take your weapon home after your shift. You must receive it when you go on duty and turn it in when you go off duty. We did this once when I was with TWC. After that officer left we choose not to do it again if we could help it.

Edit: Kjtw, Welcome to the boards, a couple of your coworkers stop by here from time to time. You have some great leadership including KC who I've had the immense pleasure of trading correspondence with on occasion. I also worked in LA with your company during the recent Gustav deployment. Tell SMSGT Spano I'm still waiting on him to find my jacket!