Army Faulted for Private Security Contracts

[1stWatch]

According to a recent report, the U.S. Army spent a budget of $500 million on security contractors to guard various military installations across the country. It was found some of the contractors hired employees with criminal records.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060405/...urity_guards_3

[N. A. Corbier]

According to SEIU, Wackenhut uses Alutiiq Security and Technology as a "front company," with their Inuit status giving them perference points in SBA contracting, to secure base contracts that Wackenhut was denied.

I expected something to come out of this, since these companies seem to do nothing but outsource their contracts to Wackenhut Government Services. I cannot remmeber if the guards working the contracts wear WGS uniforms or Alutiiq Security uniforms.

Outsourcing security from a small firm to one of the largest in the world seems to defeat the purpose of hiring a small firm in a no-bid SBA contract, does it not?

[luckey]

I worked a contract in Kuwait for several years and I can tell you the Army discovered the contractor had hired many people who had warrants and/or bad conduct discharges or they were forced out for several reasons. However there was nothing built into the contact to conduct back ground checks plus most companies do not have access to NCIC to conduct triple III checks. In the end, the big push was to get security clearances so that threat information could be shared with the security force. Through the security clearance process we were able to weed out the force. The air force does a similar process call a public trust position which is close to the same process as the security clearance back ground.

[1stWatch]

That is interesting. It seems to me that military police should have access to the same information resources as civilian police. Not having that seriously hampers investigative efforts.

[Guest]

Alutiiq Security

Ok, I can shed a little light on this. Alutiiq just hired me as a POLICE OFFICER (not security guard) for the Kwajalein Atoll Police Department in the South Pacific. They want me to report for duty April 20th, but I am still awaiting the results of my medical examination. Kwajalein Atoll is the home of the Ronald Reagan Missile Test Site. Here is a link that tells about the department. The KPD officers are SWORN as Department of the Army police officers.

http://www.alutiiq.com/jobs/applications/kpd-info.pdf

Here is a link to Alutiiq's employment site. Look under "Patrol Officer" for the KPD job description and requirements, and then compare them to the "security officer" job descriptions and requirements on the same site.

http://www.alutiiq.com/jobs/

During my lengthily hiring process (I applied in January 2006 and got the final job offer at the end of March) I only dealt with Alutiiq, never Wackenhut. In fact, Wackenhut was never even mentioned. They might have some sort of agreement with Wackenhut for security jobs, but not for KPD.

As far as criminal records go, I had to get a DoD Secret clearance to get this job. That was one of the reasons it took so long to get hired. I had to send in two fingerprint cards and complete an SF-86 questionnaire. No one with a serious or recent criminal history can be approved for a security clearance. In fact the process for getting a security clearance is very similar to going through a police background investigation. They both check pretty much the same information; criminal history, employment history, credit history, education history, etc. The government does put more emphasis on any foreign travel and foreign ties than a police department would.

I am excited about the opportunity, even though it does look like life on the atoll will be a little boring. Being born and raised in Los Angeles I am used to variety and excitement. I understand that there are few serious crimes there, but there is just enough to keep the cops busy.

[Guest]

I expected something to come out of this, since these companies seem to do nothing but outsource their contracts to Wackenhut Government Services. I cannot remmeber if the guards working the contracts wear WGS uniforms or Alutiiq Security uniforms.

I don't know about the security officers on the stateside bases, but KPD police officers wear a KPD uniform with unique KPD badges and patches.

[N. A. Corbier]

I have a feeling that they tried to overextend themselves on the civilian gate guard program for Department of the Army, and sub'ed Wackenhut to perform the services. Which, unfortunately, creates some bad mojo because Wackenhut was shot down for the contract.

I don't think the article is referring to DOD Police Assignments. Those are easier to fill, because you need less manpower. But, if you need, say, 10,000 Contract Security Guards for a non-sworn gate sentry function... Where are you going to get that kind of manpower in 2 weeks?

[ycaso77]

Ok, I can shed a little light on this. Alutiiq just hired me as a POLICE OFFICER (not security guard) for the Kwajalein Atoll Police Department in the South Pacific. They want me to report for duty April 20th, but I am still awaiting the results of my medical examination. Kwajalein Atoll is the home of the Ronald Reagan Missile Test Site. Here is a link that tells about the department. The KPD officers are SWORN as Department of the Army police officers.

http://www.alutiiq.com/jobs/applications/kpd-info.pdf

Here is a link to Alutiiq's employment site. Look under "Patrol Officer" for the KPD job description and requirements, and then compare them to the "security officer" job descriptions and requirements on the same site.

http://www.alutiiq.com/jobs/

During my lengthily hiring process (I applied in January 2006 and got the final job offer at the end of March) I only dealt with Alutiiq, never Wackenhut. In fact, Wackenhut was never even mentioned. They might have some sort of agreement with Wackenhut for security jobs, but not for KPD.

As far as criminal records go, I had to get a DoD Secret clearance to get this job. That was one of the reasons it took so long to get hired. I had to send in two fingerprint cards and complete an SF-86 questionnaire. No one with a serious or recent criminal history can be approved for a security clearance. In fact the process for getting a security clearance is very similar to going through a police background investigation. They both check pretty much the same information; criminal history, employment history, credit history, education history, etc. The government does put more emphasis on any foreign travel and foreign ties than a police department would.

I am excited about the opportunity, even though it does look like life on the atoll will be a little boring. Being born and raised in Los Angeles I am used to variety and excitement. I understand that there are few serious crimes there, but there is just enough to keep the cops busy.

Yup, Kwaj is boring. If you like to swim, snorkel or fish you got it made. Your biggest problem will be drunks and domestics. Then theres the guys who get rock happy and leave early, and you pay your own way back. As to sworn officer, you only have authority on the base itself like a civilian cop on any military base. No federal LEO status, no LEO retirement and it doesn't count as police experience towards a civvie PD. Basically you are security authorized to enforce certain federal laws and the UCMJ on federal properties.
You could try somewhere closer to home for the same type of position and experience. The VA police, many California military bases and other assorted Fed agencies have the same jobs close by. Not trying to give you a downer here, just a little eye opener on what they like to shine up to get people to take the job. That being said it will be an interesting year for you and provide alot of future "war stories" around the locker room.

[Guest]

Yup, Kwaj is boring. If you like to swim, snorkel or fish you got it made. Your biggest problem will be drunks and domestics. Then theres the guys who get rock happy and leave early, and you pay your own way back. As to sworn officer, you only have authority on the base itself like a civilian cop on any military base. No federal LEO status, no LEO retirement and it doesn't count as police experience towards a civvie PD. Basically you are security authorized to enforce certain federal laws and the UCMJ on federal properties.
You could try somewhere closer to home for the same type of position and experience. The VA police, many California military bases and other assorted Fed agencies have the same jobs close by. Not trying to give you a downer here, just a little eye opener on what they like to shine up to get people to take the job. That being said it will be an interesting year for you and provide alot of future "war stories" around the locker room.

I have spoken with a couple of ex-KPD officers on Officer.com and RealPolice.net and I understand the duties, authority, and status.

The only reason I was looking for another job was because I am bored to tears in my current security manager job, which I have held since 2003. The first 18 months or so were exciting and very challenging, since I had to basically create a security force from scratch. I was responsible for all the hiring, training, SOP's, and administration. I learned a lot from it.

Now that the department is established, most of the growing pains are over, it is running basically by itself. I have two good shift supervisors who pretty much handle all the day-to-day issues that come up leaving me to handle the "big picture" and liaison with other parts of the company. The interest and challenge has disappeared, and I have reached a plateau in my career. The only position I can be promoted to within the security department is to the Vice President of Safety and Security and the current VP isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I have looked into other management jobs within the company but nothing caught my interest.

I have looked into police jobs closer to home, but I have no desire to work general law enforcement again. I would love to work for a university police department but I have had no luck in getting hired. Since I was a sergeant in my last PD job I always get questioned why I am willing to be hired as an officer and every oral board has been skeptical about why the college PD I worked for was disbanded. The majority of military bases here in California have been closed down. Ft. Irwin, out near Barstow, is the only base I know of that is currently hiring police officers but I have no desire to work in the middle of the desert and Ft. Irwin is about an hour's drive away from where I live.

The main reason I am attracted to Kwaj is the amount of money I can make and save there. That, and the fact that I love to travel, and working at Kwaj can give me opportunities for international travel that I could never get here at home. If it turns out I hate it, I only have to stay one year. I think I could handle that.

[ycaso77]

I have spoken with a couple of ex-KPD officers on Officer.com and RealPolice.net and I understand the duties, authority, and status.

The only reason I was looking for another job was because I am bored to tears in my current security manager job, which I have held since 2003. The first 18 months or so were exciting and very challenging, since I had to basically create a security force from scratch. I was responsible for all the hiring, training, SOP's, and administration. I learned a lot from it.

Now that the department is established, most of the growing pains are over, it is running basically by itself. I have two good shift supervisors who pretty much handle all the day-to-day issues that come up leaving me to handle the "big picture" and liaison with other parts of the company. The interest and challenge has disappeared, and I have reached a plateau in my career. The only position I can be promoted to within the security department is to the Vice President of Safety and Security and the current VP isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I have looked into other management jobs within the company but nothing caught my interest.

I have looked into police jobs closer to home, but I have no desire to work general law enforcement again. I would love to work for a university police department but I have had no luck in getting hired. Since I was a sergeant in my last PD job I always get questioned why I am willing to be hired as an officer and every oral board has been skeptical about why the college PD I worked for was disbanded. The majority of military bases here in California have been closed down. Ft. Irwin, out near Barstow, is the only base I know of that is currently hiring police officers but I have no desire to work in the middle of the desert and Ft. Irwin is about an hour's drive away from where I live.

The main reason I am attracted to Kwaj is the amount of money I can make and save there. That, and the fact that I love to travel, and working at Kwaj can give me opportunities for international travel that I could never get here at home. If it turns out I hate it, I only have to stay one year. I think I could handle that.

The money will be nice and the travel is a plus, if you're single its definitely something to try. As an old guy I seldom trust the flowery speeches given by recruiters ( civilian or military). Traveled through there a few times while in the military and knew a guy who worked there. If you do go I wish you the best of luck!

[Guest]

The money will be nice and the travel is a plus, if you're single its definitely something to try. As an old guy I seldom trust the flowery speeches given by recruiters ( civilian or military). Traveled through there a few times while in the military and knew a guy who worked there. If you do go I wish you the best of luck!

Thanks for the info and the advice, I appreciate it. I, too, don't trust recruiters either, which is why I asked questions of former KPD officers. To their credit, the KPD recruiter I spoke with provided accurate information. The two former KPD officers I spoke with on other forums gave me the straight skinny, and it doesn't sound so bad. At least I am prepared for the negative aspects of the job going into it.