Cruise Security

[user999]

Experience

Anybody have any experience in Cruise Ship Security ?

I do.
I see some disscussions about cruise line security being armed? ... I wish ...

http://www.inozemstvo-posao.com/smf_....php?board=7.0

[HotelSecurity]

I work with a guy who's wife is in some sort of top admin position there, he's told me some real horror stories...Like the time the admin types had security escort someone to the front of the college so the cops could meet them to take a report on a b&e to their car, because the college didn't want (gasp) armed police officers on the grounds.

A "Ritz"y hotel in Montreal used to ban the police from coming into the hotel via the front door. they made them use the employee/service entrance. Police response time mysteriously became very long. I wonder why When the hotel decided to let them use the front door again, response time became quicker again

[Lawson]

Haha... Lacey PD is always working details on that campus. So that kinda suprises me. But I have had to work alongside their security as an explorer cadet. Our guys who were even 15-16y.o. I would say were more up to speed and more squared away than their officers. A school like that has so much potential for security... I mean with the money they bring in, they could outfit those guys with the best vehicles, the best uniforms, the best training and equipment, etc... They could even probably get them limited police commissions. But alas... that is just one nasty outfit. I think they only pull like eight bucks an hour... they wear blue button up shirts with sewn on patches, jeans, I think they use talkabout radios, and a can of OC on their belt. Not even black jeans, were talking blue jeans, tan cargo shorts, hip huggers... the works. Their security director was telling me about how he had been arrested for DUIs and whatnot... Im just thinking "wow, what an outfit"

What they need to do is axe the policy that you must be an attending student to be an S/O.

Thats affirmative

I work with a guy who's wife is in some sort of top admin position there, he's told me some real horror stories...Like the time the admin types had security escort someone to the front of the college so the cops could meet them to take a report on a b&e to their car, because the college didn't want (gasp) armed police officers on the grounds.

[Lawson]

St. Martins University

http://www.stmartin.edu/

[N. A. Corbier]

Please provide GPS lat long so I can program it into the places I shoul never be.

[Lawson]

Thats affirmative

Theres a University here that does not let campus security wear vests because they dont want the campus to look unsafe. They are also unarmed, unequiped, drive a POS car (It looks like an 89 Ford Escort hatchback, but I think its a toyota), they have sloppy uniforms... and they wear OC Spray.

Now I want to know, how am I supposed to feel safe, when the security is unarmed, unequipped to respond to my emergency and undertrained?

Also... how does not giving them a concealed vest make the campus look more safe and strapping OC onto them does not?

This is also one of the most expensive private universities in the State... it isnt like they dont have the money.

Is it in Lacey?

[Lawson]

Theres a University here that does not let campus security wear vests because they dont want the campus to look unsafe. They are also unarmed, unequiped, drive a POS car (It looks like an 89 Ford Escort hatchback, but I think its a toyota), they have sloppy uniforms... and they wear OC Spray.

Now I want to know, how am I supposed to feel safe, when the security is unarmed, unequipped to respond to my emergency and undertrained?

Also... how does not giving them a concealed vest make the campus look more safe and strapping OC onto them does not?

This is also one of the most expensive private universities in the State... it isnt like they dont have the money.

[N. A. Corbier]

Nope. It was completely forbidden. Regardless, we all wore them cause it was a hot site.

It's just that garbage that ticks me off more than anything. I'd like to consider myself more than a "warm body in a badge"!

... vests are concealed. The public should not be able to tell. That sounds more like "This is a dangerous thing, your all wearing vests, and if someone finds out, they may call it PPE and make us buy it for you."

[Ten32]

Could you wear vests over the uniform? That would be more intimidating IMO.

Nope. It was completely forbidden. Regardless, we all wore them cause it was a hot site.

It's just that garbage that ticks me off more than anything. I'd like to consider myself more than a "warm body in a badge"!

[Lawson]

I'm with ya on that, but what ticks me off is when the officer's safety becomes an issue.

I actually worked on a site where it was a violation of company policy for us to wear vests UNDER our uniforms. Why? Cause it made us look too intimidating to the clients customers. (???)

Could you wear vests over the uniform? That would be more intimidating IMO.

[Mr. Security]

.....Unfortunately, we are all extremely disposable in this industry and rather than deal, they just jettison and find a new idiot till they're ready to be terminated as well.

You got it. I think they start depreciating you as a disposable asset as soon as they hire you. Fully amortized after one year.

[Ten32]

I'm with ya on that, but what ticks me off is when the officer's safety becomes an issue.

I actually worked on a site where it was a violation of company policy for us to wear vests UNDER our uniforms. Why? Cause it made us look too intimidating to the clients customers. (???)

[N. A. Corbier]

I've worked with quite a few guys that have worked for Akal. Just like ANY company, they go for federal contracts. Federal contracts start around 19+ bucks an hour, and that is regulated by federal law. Therefore no matter what the agency, if it's a federal contract, you make some decent money.

With that said, of all the people that I've talked to about Akal, no one was pleased with the way the company was run. Akal seems to be just like most other agencies: It's all about the client, and getting the contract. It's NOT about the employees and thier welfare. But that's just what I've heard, and experienced in the private security field.

Funny you should mention that. From a Yahoo Group "Security Officers Online," addressing that very thing:

Nicely said. I think I've said this here once before as well, NAPSOA and other "groups" that try to travel the road to security fame by making these kind of changes are going about it the wrong way. Anytime you take an organization that was set up to "repersent"
a certain faction of any organization, and then try to offer that as an option to potential consumers, your asking for failure.

Ask yourself, "What client would actually WANT to hire a company that has its MAIN focus as its Officers?" Better still, "Why would they?"
Your flying a great big sign that says "Its all about us." instead of what clients want to hear, that its "All about you!"

As a client, I would not touch a company that sided with its officers, or represented them in such a capacity that removing one from my site wold become an issue, should I have a problem with one.

---

This is the exact thinking that is so pursasive in the security industry. The culture has forgotten who provides the service to the almighty client. Unfortunately, we are all extremely disposable in this industry and rather than deal, they just jettison and find a new idiot till they're ready to be terminated as well.