TPD Arrests UT Student For Alleged Assault on Security Officer

[bigdog]

TPD Arrests UT Student For Alleged Assault on Security Officer

Josh Kratovil

Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: News & Features






A University of Tampa student was arrested earlier this month after a scuffle in the Security Office that resulted in Tampa Police intervention.

According to police reports, Justin Aaron Blau "stepped over a locked gate in the security office and used his body weight" to push a security officer backwards in an effort to get to Security Chief Charles Mascenik.

Blau had apparently wanted to discuss parking tickets with the security chief but "did not respond to verbal commands … instructing the defendant to stop."

When contacted for comment, Blau said he did not recall the incident in question.

Vanessa Duvall, another University of Tampa student, works part time as a receptionist in the Security Office.

According to her statement, she was seated at the reception desk when Blau entered the office. She observed Blau demand to speak with security Chief … Mascenik.

It was at this time that Blau, "without invitation," allegedly stepped over the 36-inch high gate which "[separates] the public and private side of the office."

Security Officer Deborah Dervaes "placed herself between [Blau] and the Security Chief's office," at which point Blau attempted to push her out of the way.

Several additional security personnel stepped in to help restrain and detain Blau, who was handcuffed and seated in a conference room inside the security office.

Blau was taken into custody by Tampa Police and charged with a trespassing misdemeanor and felony battery on a licensed security officer.

He was later released on a $2,500 bond.

As of press time, Officer Dervaes and Security Director Mascenik were unavailable for comment on the incident.

Grant Donaldson, UT's spokesman, declined to comment on the matter, saying it was possible that future litigation could be affected by any comments.

No one was injured in the incident.



Link to HCSO arrest report http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/defa...sp/bn=07017308

[davis002]

Interesting story. I guess now we have to wait and see if those charges stick.

[bigdog]

what i thought was odd is when the news called him, he couldnt remember the incident. Like this kind of thing happens all the time to him or something. Also I thought University of Tampa had its Own police.

[Black Caesar]

what i thought was odd is when the news called him, he couldnt remember the incident. Like this kind of thing happens all the time to him or something. Also I thought University of Tampa had its Own police.

They don't according to their website. UoT Safety and Security

Campus Safety & Security officers do not possess arrest powers.

I imagine they are unarmed as well. I might can understand a private university such as this not having it's own police force (though almost have of private colleges and universities do have PDs IIRC), but for cripes sake they should atleast have armed campus safety officers.

[N. A. Corbier]

UT is private, they can't have a police force. They are unarmed, I've talked to them before, our property was next to UT and when their white kids would come over looking for drugs, we'd know exactly who they were.

We'd usually tell them to go back to UT before we found a reason to arrest them. It worked, too!

I wonder if they're in-house, or contract? In-house does not require a D license.

Now, they may of gotten armed (which would require Ds and Gs for inhouse too), in the time I left and this.

Just to touch on that, unless you are a state university, you may not have a police force in Florida. Florida has no concept of private police forces, all sworn police must be agents of the state government. USF gets police because of specific law appointing state university police. Junior Colleges don't get those because they aren't state universities.

[bigdog]

They don't according to their website. UoT Safety and Security



I imagine they are unarmed as well. I might can understand a private university such as this not having it's own police force (though almost have of private colleges and universities do have PDs IIRC), but for cripes sake they should atleast have armed campus safety officers.

There armed. the position requires a D & G license.



Position Title: Security Officer Position Type: Staff Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Safety & Security Position Summary: The Safety and Security Department has a position for a qualified Security Officer on the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. This position reports to the Director of Safety and Security.

Responsibilities:

-Patrol the campus perimeter, buildings and grounds to provide visible deterrent to crime.
-Maintain building and room security.
-Respond to crimes and other incidents committed on campus, report on same.
-Respond to fire, burglary, hold up alarms, and disturbance calls.
-Control vehicle/pedestrian traffic and enforcing parking regulations on campus.
-Unlock/lock buildings and rooms when facilities personnel are not available.

$10.00 per Hour plus $1.25 Shift Differential with Full Benefits and Tuition. Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent.
Police/retired military experience preferred.
Must qualify for Florida Department of State Class "D" and "G" licenses.
Must be able to exert appropriate strength when necessary.
Ability to climb stairs to the top of a nine story building.
Excellent clear and concise communication skills required.
Must have a valid Florida drivers license.
Must successfully pass a personal background, criminal records, psychological, and physical check.
Experience in using various Security Department equipment (two-way radio, cameras, computers).
Must be a US citizen or a Permanent Legal Resident Alien. Additional Information: To be considered for this positon, you must complete and submit an application electronically.

This description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not to determine specific duties and responsibilities for any particular position. Essential functions and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific task assigned to the position. Special Instructions to Applicants: Posting Date: 03-20-2007 Closing Date: Open Until Filled

[N. A. Corbier]

10 an hour in Tampa for an armed position is pretty good money. Most armed positions pay about 8.

[Arff312]

You have to be kidding me . 8-10 dollars an hour ? for an armed position that is outragous. I make 12 an hour starting and after completion of our in training program which is 60 Hours at your own pace plus 40 hours of field training we get a 1.50 dollar raise. After that we get a .50 - 1.00 dollar range every 4-6 months.

[N. A. Corbier]

You also live in California, don't you? 60 hours + 40 hours is more than the average "licensed security officer" will ever see in training in their lifetime, re-qualifications on their sidearm and long arm not withstanding.

40 Hour D course - Basic Security Course
28 Hour G course - Gun
4 Hour G Requal - Refresher on Firearms Range

That is all that is ever required of an armed or contract (minus the G) security officer in Florida.

With those courses, you go to a company, apply, and that day are put on post. Is it a wonder that the average unarmed pay in Florida is 6-7 an hour, and the average armed is 8-9?

The more the company invests in you with training, the more they need to pay you to keep you there. If they don't invest jack, they can pay you a low wage, and replace you as easily as they hired you.

They are also flexible, they can throw you on any post the day you're hired.

[Arff312]

I didnt make ot clear earlier. The training i mentiond is on top of the 40 hours for your guard card, 16 hours for armed, 4 hours of OC, 8 hours of baton and 4 hours of taser. Plus figure in if you get your 832 Cert that is another 64 hours.

[N. A. Corbier]

I didnt make ot clear earlier. The training i mentiond is on top of the 40 hours for your guard card, 16 hours for armed, 4 hours of OC, 8 hours of baton and 4 hours of taser. Plus figure in if you get your 832 Cert that is another 64 hours.

Exactly my point. That level of training is not required, and even discouraged, for most security personnel in Florida. You require your 40 + 28, and anything more is not required by most companies.

Florida has no equivalent to PC 832 certification, other than the full blown Law Enforcement Certification. With most companies, that means squat, some will pay you a whole 10 to 25 cents per hour extra for having a valid CJSTC certification.

Understand why the average pay is 6-7 unarmed, 8-9 armed now?

[bigdog]

according to the clerk of court website as of june 23 the case was dropped. no further info.

[SecTrainer]

They don't according to their website. UoT Safety and Security



I imagine they are unarmed as well. I might can understand a private university such as this not having it's own police force (though almost have of private colleges and universities do have PDs IIRC), but for cripes sake they should atleast have armed campus safety officers.

I'm not sure how being armed would have been relevant in this particular case but your point, as a more general principle, is absolutely correct. You would think that society would have become aware from recent events that college/university campuses are really "small cities" with a sufficient threat profile so that some degree of armed response capability is required.

[SecTrainer]

Exactly my point. That level of training is not required, and even discouraged, for most security personnel in Florida. You require your 40 + 28, and anything more is not required by most companies.

Florida has no equivalent to PC 832 certification, other than the full blown Law Enforcement Certification. With most companies, that means squat, some will pay you a whole 10 to 25 cents per hour extra for having a valid CJSTC certification.

Understand why the average pay is 6-7 unarmed, 8-9 armed now?

DOL shows avg in FL is around $10, or about a buck below the national average (you'd think it would be a bit higher).

What's really pathetic is that parking meter folks in FL make $14+ on average.