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As some of you know, Im working on advancing our security team here at BHR into a better protective force. I recently wrote an email proposal to the bosses... figured I'd give you guys a bit of a read if you'd like...
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I wanted to respond with this email to both of you as I mentioned I would during our meeting where we went over some security issues. One of the things I touched on very briefly were uniforms and security identification. You informed me that here at BHR we used to have a “Security Uniform” but it is no longer used for various reasons. To promote the advancement of BHR Security I’d like to recommend a uniform for approval. I’ve spoken with some security professionals from around the country about this proposal and have received a lot of truly valuable input. I will explain my qualms and reasoning for the proposal as well as my supporting arguments.
I personally think security should have the ability to be more identifiable. As you know our dress code attire consists of “black or dark blue clothing” nothing more, nothing less. I could partially understand reasoning that we are in black so that we are easily identified as security; however; there are currently a couple problems with this. At BHR anyone is permitted to wear solid black clothing. We get a lot of people in from the outside, which include; janitors, construction employees, county employees, furniture cleaners, food and drink delivery personnel, clothing delivery personnel, equipment delivery personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMT personnel, Maxim and Intellistaff employees, client visitors, etc… People who visit will not be able to easily identify us as security personnel simply because we dress in black/blue. Also, there is a possibility they may confuse a clinical, medical, or even another outside person as a security officer simply because they are dressed in black and blue. One could easily say that we need to be identifiable to BHR employees. However; in BHR, we are a rather small facility where everyone generally knows everyone else. Most security personnel could easily come to BHR dressed down completely in civilian attire and BHR employees will still recognize that we are in fact security officers.
We are the only personnel in the facility who have a required uniform; however; there is nothing which restricts anyone else from wearing security uniform appearing clothes. This prevents us from being able to be easily identified by outside non-BHR elements as security officers. Another drawback to our uniforms is that there is nothing on them which helps in our identification as security officers immediately. We do not wear the word “SECURITY” or “OFFICER” or anything of the like on our clothing what-so-ever. We do not wear badges, nor do we wear any badge embroidery. We do not wear duty belts with equipment which is synonymous with security or protective service officers. The only thing that truly IDs us as security officers is our ID badges, which obviously, due to their size are not really a viable recognizable resource.
I realize that here at BHR we try to provide a safe environment for both staff and clients. A military/police style uniform, can be unnerving to some of our staff, visitors or clients. I personally feel that this even applies somewhat to our solid black outfit. I have noticed that as myself and whichever partner I am working with are standing in triage during an intake, the clients (especially those who have been off their medications for a while, or those who are in a heightened state of acuity or paranoia) seem to be intimidated. In the general security and law enforcement worlds, this holds true as well. “Hard” uniforms are generally not appreciated in facilities such as libraries, schools, treatment facilities, etc… To remedy this, they will go with a “soft” uniform. In my own personal experience I have had clients ask if I was the military, a Navy SEAL, the police, a Federal Law Enforcement Agent (FBI, CIA, NSA, etc…), and other variations. I feel this is simply due to the lack of identification we have. It also stimulates paranoid ideation.
As you know, some of our clients who come through have had criminal or bad experiences with the police and criminal justice system. Our duties require a lot presence with clients, whether it is on the units or in triage. Our current attire will sometimes cause a heightened sense of anxiety with these clients during contacts. If we decided to go with wearing a uniform that clearly identifies us as BHR Security personnel we are likely to find a lot of these problems will be alleviated.
A “soft” uniform is something that still allows the wearer to be easily identified, but also keeps a calming state about the person. Our uniforms currently walk a very fine line between soft and hard. They can easily been seen as one or the other dependant upon who is seeing them. Law enforcement and professional security officials will likely consider our uniforms soft, while persons outside the field will likely see them as hard, simply due to their color.
The uniform of BHR Security also does not present much professionalism. While there is that bit of uniformity, and it is good that security officers [S/O’s] are able to choose their own uniforms to assure comfort, they do not present much professionalism amongst the area. Some S/Os wear t-shirts and jeans, other wear black cargo tops and BDU pants, and others wear blue button-ups and cargo pants… etc… There are multiple variations in uniforms which only adds to the chaos and confusion.
Having a more professional work attire will enhance our work relationship with public agencies such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and medics. From my own experience as a police officer, I can honestly say if I came to BHR and was greeted by BHR security in its current state, I would most certainly not be impressed and would probably even think of security here as being somewhat of a non-professional group.
What I personally think we need is something that identifies us, and something that provides an environment of care without undermining our look and air of professionalism. With that I would like to recommend the following uniform for approval.
This is the Galls cotton knit security shirt. This shirt is customizable and we will not only be able to put “Security Officer” on there, but we can also put our agency (BHR) on there as well with an embroidered badge with will give us instant identification. As you can see the proposed shirt offers immediate identification without blasting the word “SECURITY” all over the place. It gives a sense of professionalism while it also offers softer colors; necessary for a support and care facility such as BHR.
To add to this, I would like to have khaki pants made an option over the darker colors.
These are the 5.11 cargo pants. They are used worldwide and are the premiere choice for police officers, and are the security choice for everyone from mom and pop security outfits, all the way up to Protective Security Detail Officers in Iraq. They are durable, long lasting, and offer enough pockets for all the equipment we currently carry. The only drawback to these pants is the cost. They do cost approximately $40.00 for a pair. However, many retail stores sell cargo pants of the same or similar color. Places such as Target, Walmart, K-Mart, etc… have sold pants of these colors for prices as low as $13.00.
Finally, as a finishing touch, the most identifiable and recognizable symbol of any security officer is their tin badge. After speaking with various security professionals, the one I do believe would work best in a facility such as BHR is this one.
This one quickly identifies you as an S/O. It brightly says “Security Officer” on the badge and the golden color closely matches the gold trim on the shirt. This badge would be very appropriate if worn on the belt of the khaki pants. I have selected this particular badge due to the area which BHR is located. Our 3 closest agencies of jurisdiction are; The Olympia Police, The Lacey Police, and The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The Olympia Police Department, Lacey Police Department and Thurston County Sheriffs Office wear badges with a design such as these (respectively).
The badge I am proposing doesn’t resemble any local law enforcement agencies. A big dispute between security and law enforcement fields is security officers attempting to look like police officers. With this badge which I am proposing, that issue will be completely circumvented as none of the local jurisdiction agencies utilize a badge such as the one above.
In closing, I am not currently trying to make a “uniform change.” While in the long run I would like to see an entire uniform overhaul, I can understand that financially it is not likely to be possible at this time. What I would like to propose however; is a simple authorization of the uniform which I have listed. If authorized, I will be purchasing the items myself and using them rather than the “hard” uniform we currently wear. The proposed uniform will present more professionalism, easier identification, and has so many other advantages.
Thank you for taking the time to review this report,
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I wanted to respond with this email to both of you as I mentioned I would during our meeting where we went over some security issues. One of the things I touched on very briefly were uniforms and security identification. You informed me that here at BHR we used to have a “Security Uniform” but it is no longer used for various reasons. To promote the advancement of BHR Security I’d like to recommend a uniform for approval. I’ve spoken with some security professionals from around the country about this proposal and have received a lot of truly valuable input. I will explain my qualms and reasoning for the proposal as well as my supporting arguments.
I personally think security should have the ability to be more identifiable. As you know our dress code attire consists of “black or dark blue clothing” nothing more, nothing less. I could partially understand reasoning that we are in black so that we are easily identified as security; however; there are currently a couple problems with this. At BHR anyone is permitted to wear solid black clothing. We get a lot of people in from the outside, which include; janitors, construction employees, county employees, furniture cleaners, food and drink delivery personnel, clothing delivery personnel, equipment delivery personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMT personnel, Maxim and Intellistaff employees, client visitors, etc… People who visit will not be able to easily identify us as security personnel simply because we dress in black/blue. Also, there is a possibility they may confuse a clinical, medical, or even another outside person as a security officer simply because they are dressed in black and blue. One could easily say that we need to be identifiable to BHR employees. However; in BHR, we are a rather small facility where everyone generally knows everyone else. Most security personnel could easily come to BHR dressed down completely in civilian attire and BHR employees will still recognize that we are in fact security officers.
We are the only personnel in the facility who have a required uniform; however; there is nothing which restricts anyone else from wearing security uniform appearing clothes. This prevents us from being able to be easily identified by outside non-BHR elements as security officers. Another drawback to our uniforms is that there is nothing on them which helps in our identification as security officers immediately. We do not wear the word “SECURITY” or “OFFICER” or anything of the like on our clothing what-so-ever. We do not wear badges, nor do we wear any badge embroidery. We do not wear duty belts with equipment which is synonymous with security or protective service officers. The only thing that truly IDs us as security officers is our ID badges, which obviously, due to their size are not really a viable recognizable resource.
I realize that here at BHR we try to provide a safe environment for both staff and clients. A military/police style uniform, can be unnerving to some of our staff, visitors or clients. I personally feel that this even applies somewhat to our solid black outfit. I have noticed that as myself and whichever partner I am working with are standing in triage during an intake, the clients (especially those who have been off their medications for a while, or those who are in a heightened state of acuity or paranoia) seem to be intimidated. In the general security and law enforcement worlds, this holds true as well. “Hard” uniforms are generally not appreciated in facilities such as libraries, schools, treatment facilities, etc… To remedy this, they will go with a “soft” uniform. In my own personal experience I have had clients ask if I was the military, a Navy SEAL, the police, a Federal Law Enforcement Agent (FBI, CIA, NSA, etc…), and other variations. I feel this is simply due to the lack of identification we have. It also stimulates paranoid ideation.
As you know, some of our clients who come through have had criminal or bad experiences with the police and criminal justice system. Our duties require a lot presence with clients, whether it is on the units or in triage. Our current attire will sometimes cause a heightened sense of anxiety with these clients during contacts. If we decided to go with wearing a uniform that clearly identifies us as BHR Security personnel we are likely to find a lot of these problems will be alleviated.
A “soft” uniform is something that still allows the wearer to be easily identified, but also keeps a calming state about the person. Our uniforms currently walk a very fine line between soft and hard. They can easily been seen as one or the other dependant upon who is seeing them. Law enforcement and professional security officials will likely consider our uniforms soft, while persons outside the field will likely see them as hard, simply due to their color.
The uniform of BHR Security also does not present much professionalism. While there is that bit of uniformity, and it is good that security officers [S/O’s] are able to choose their own uniforms to assure comfort, they do not present much professionalism amongst the area. Some S/Os wear t-shirts and jeans, other wear black cargo tops and BDU pants, and others wear blue button-ups and cargo pants… etc… There are multiple variations in uniforms which only adds to the chaos and confusion.
Having a more professional work attire will enhance our work relationship with public agencies such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and medics. From my own experience as a police officer, I can honestly say if I came to BHR and was greeted by BHR security in its current state, I would most certainly not be impressed and would probably even think of security here as being somewhat of a non-professional group.
What I personally think we need is something that identifies us, and something that provides an environment of care without undermining our look and air of professionalism. With that I would like to recommend the following uniform for approval.
This is the Galls cotton knit security shirt. This shirt is customizable and we will not only be able to put “Security Officer” on there, but we can also put our agency (BHR) on there as well with an embroidered badge with will give us instant identification. As you can see the proposed shirt offers immediate identification without blasting the word “SECURITY” all over the place. It gives a sense of professionalism while it also offers softer colors; necessary for a support and care facility such as BHR.
To add to this, I would like to have khaki pants made an option over the darker colors.
These are the 5.11 cargo pants. They are used worldwide and are the premiere choice for police officers, and are the security choice for everyone from mom and pop security outfits, all the way up to Protective Security Detail Officers in Iraq. They are durable, long lasting, and offer enough pockets for all the equipment we currently carry. The only drawback to these pants is the cost. They do cost approximately $40.00 for a pair. However, many retail stores sell cargo pants of the same or similar color. Places such as Target, Walmart, K-Mart, etc… have sold pants of these colors for prices as low as $13.00.
Finally, as a finishing touch, the most identifiable and recognizable symbol of any security officer is their tin badge. After speaking with various security professionals, the one I do believe would work best in a facility such as BHR is this one.
This one quickly identifies you as an S/O. It brightly says “Security Officer” on the badge and the golden color closely matches the gold trim on the shirt. This badge would be very appropriate if worn on the belt of the khaki pants. I have selected this particular badge due to the area which BHR is located. Our 3 closest agencies of jurisdiction are; The Olympia Police, The Lacey Police, and The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The Olympia Police Department, Lacey Police Department and Thurston County Sheriffs Office wear badges with a design such as these (respectively).
The badge I am proposing doesn’t resemble any local law enforcement agencies. A big dispute between security and law enforcement fields is security officers attempting to look like police officers. With this badge which I am proposing, that issue will be completely circumvented as none of the local jurisdiction agencies utilize a badge such as the one above.
In closing, I am not currently trying to make a “uniform change.” While in the long run I would like to see an entire uniform overhaul, I can understand that financially it is not likely to be possible at this time. What I would like to propose however; is a simple authorization of the uniform which I have listed. If authorized, I will be purchasing the items myself and using them rather than the “hard” uniform we currently wear. The proposed uniform will present more professionalism, easier identification, and has so many other advantages.
Thank you for taking the time to review this report,
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