Sunstates Security

National provider of contract security guard services

Security Personnel and Technology: Who Does What Best?

Is the security force of the future driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and battery powered? How about the security force of the present?

What does technology, especially technology driven by artificial intelligence, do better than humans? What do humans do better than even the most sophisticated computers? Is there a place for both in security?

Replacing human labor with machines isn’t new. The first industrial revolution, late in the 18th century, introduced mechanical production, steam power and railroads. A century later, the advent of electricity ushered in a new era of mass production.

The 20th century has added digital technology to the mix. And that technology is rapidly making inroads in the security industry.

The benefits of technology

Technology can work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cameras can cover every inch of a facility or campus, in blazing heat or bitter cold. With AI, those cameras can spot a vehicle driven by a disgruntled former employee returning to do damage (or worse). AI can spot patterns, doors that shouldn’t be open, objects out of place. Sensors can detect floods, sudden temperature changes, and other potential security issues.

For years, companies have been considering replacing or supplementing human security personnel with technology, such as cameras, access-control technology and robots. The business case is compelling:

  • No need for benefits, raises or any human resource-related expenses
  • Technology is a depreciable asset, which means tax benefits
  • Technology theoretically pays for itself in lower personnel costs

As the pandemic has forced us to use technology more than ever, and as technology—particularly AI—has improved, companies are again rethinking how to incorporate technology into their operations.

The benefits of humans

Human security officers have several advantages over AI and other technology:

  • Humans can explore, ask questions, and be open to new ideas and ways of working.
  • Humans are creative in ways that machines are not.
  • Humans are capable of empathy and can understand and connect with other people.
  • Humans can build relationships and reach deeper levels of understanding with other humans.
  • Humans can influence emotions, inspire action, express empathy, and use persuasion to change outcomes.

A security officer can navigate and manage open-ended scenarios. AI can process and analyze mountains of data. But if external factors change, a machine’s algorithms may no longer work as well. A programmer may have to adjust or modify the machine and define new system rules.

How Sunstates uses technology

Sunstates has long used technology in two ways.

First, our recruitment and screening process, as well as our training systems, ensure a high level of technological proficiency. In addition, we constantly update training and development programs to prepare our work force to meet clients’ evolving needs. In this way, Sunstates upgrades its employee skills to reflect modern requirements.

Second, we use security technology to expand and extend our security officers’ abilities and skills. For any company considering this route, we highly recommend working with a partner that understands how humans and technology can best work together to provide the highest levels of security.

A story of human security success

During recent riots in Wilmington, Del., no technology could have protected the downtown courthouse the way Security Officer Jacqueline Green did.

When protesters pried open the courthouse’s sliding glass doors and began flooding into the empty courthouse, intent on damaging the building, Officer Green met them—not with weapons, but with empathy and understanding. She persuaded them that their destructive anger would gain them nothing. They listened, then left, and the building was saved from major damage.

That’s something no technology can do.

To discuss how Sunstates Security can help you provide the highest possible level of security for your organization, whether that includes trained security officers, technology or both, please call 866-710-2019 or email us

Image for Safety Considerations During Social Unrest post, Sunstates Security CompanyOver the past week, many cities across the country have experienced heightened social unrest, protesting, and rioting.  Some peaceful protests starting in daylight hours turn into violence and rioting after dark. These types of gatherings present potential safety threats to both people and property. Other challenges associated with mass gatherings may include blocked roadways, disruptions of business schedules, and dangers to individuals in uniform.

During times of emergency, Sunstates Security’s primary objective is to effectively maintain operations and safely staff client facilities. Outlined below are strategies the company implements to safely maintain our services during protest and riot scenarios.

Sunstates Security Emergency Response Measures

 Initial and Ongoing Communications:

  • Initiate contact with management team members and security officers immediately when any type of highly publicized event that has the potential to result in social unrest.
    • Put all local officers and emergency response teams on call.
    • Operations Managers to visit all sites in the area of concern to assess safety, provide direction, and continuous support.
  • Contact clients directly to advise of a potentially emergent situation, find out client-specific requests, and make recommendations regarding changes in coverage.
  • Continuous communication between managers, security officers, clients, and law enforcement to share the latest information and adjust coverage as needed.

Increase Staffing/Training:

  • All clients in affected areas may be advised to implement 24-hour coverage if not already in effect.
  • Recommend double coverage (at minimum) at all affected sites to ensure no officer is working alone.
  • Stay in touch with clients located outside of the immediately affected area to ensure we are responding to their requests for additional coverage.
  • Provide specialized training regarding risk mitigation and safe/appropriate responses to facility-related issues that may occur during the unrest that presents a risk to personal safety. Training is customized and documented through the Sunstates Learning Management System (LMS).

Scheduling:

  • Teams working in affected areas change to 12-hour shifts to minimize the amount of travel in and out of the geographic area of concern.
  • Adjust shift times from standard to accommodate public transportation schedules into areas of concern to allow officers the opportunity to get in place during daylight hours.

Officer Support/Safety:

  • On-duty Officers:
    • Continuous contact via phone, email, or on-site visit to obtain status updates and ensure safety.
    • Share information/answer questions.
    • Offer reassurance and support.
  • Scheduled Officers:
    • Contact officers via phone prior to their scheduled shift to discuss the following:
      • Ensure they have reliable means of transportation.
      • Brief them regarding on-going or anticipated action during their shift.
      • Share information about traffic delays or parking issues that may impact transit time
      • Offer the opportunity to arrive to work in plain clothes and change into uniform on-site to avoid drawing attention.

Technology/Equipment:

  • Utilize real-time reporting technology through a web-based platform to document tours, incidents, and activity with photos/videos.
  • Live video capability (i.e., FaceTime) with clients, managers, or other officers as needed.
  • Know the location and how to operate safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, AED units, etc.

Resource for Clients

Sunstates is committed to our clients and strives to serve as an information resource during difficult times. Following is a list of best practices to consider when preparing your contingency plan for dealing with protests or riots.

Best Practices for Facility Preparation.

  • Remove anything outside the facility or on the first floor/lobby that is not secured to the ground and could potentially be used as a projectile including tables, chairs, garbage cans, etc.
  • When locking down the building, be sure to include dock and elevators.
  • Be prepared to shut down the HVAC system in the instance that tear gas or other airborne chemicals are deployed in the immediate area of the building; should these substances get into the HVAC system, the entire building will have to be evacuated and decontaminated.
  • Recommend that a member of the building engineering team be on-site or available 24/7 as part of building an emergency response plan.
  • Be sure that all external security cameras are well secured and be prepared to share the footage with law enforcement.
  • Identify a safe place to park away from any action or plan to utilize public transportation. Do not park a vehicle in areas where the action is anticipated and is likely to get blocked in and/or damaged.

Minimize Risk to Employees.

  • If possible, allow employees to work remotely.
  • Reschedule events for a later date.
  • Limit business hours to end early and allow travel out of the affected area before nightfall.
  • Provide training/guidelines on an emergency response within your facility and the importance of situational self-awareness.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with employees who are remote or onsite during a violent scenario to provide support and direction, as well as ensure emotional well-being.

As your security partner, Sunstates Security is committed to the ongoing support of our regular security operations while serving as a resource to our clients for any emergency response requirements. The Sunstates Security management team is available 24/7 for our employees and our clients.  You are encouraged to reach out to your local contact if you have questions, concerns, or additional coverage needs or visit our website.

THE DECADE IN REVIEW AND LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE OF SECURITY

More skills and expertise, more training and knowledge, more technology. The 2010s saw profound changes in the security industry. The advancements, if anything, will accelerate in the decade we’ve just begun.

More Security Guards Than Police Officers

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As global threats increase, so does the need for security. In the past decade, the number of security officers surpassed the number of full-time, sworn police officers. By 2018, the number of police

officers in the U.S. stood at 686,665, according to Statisa.com. By comparison, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported more than 1.1 million security guards and gaming surveillance officers during the same year.

That trend is worldwide. Many countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia report that they employ more security officers than police officers.

Not only will those numbers continue to grow, but the skills of security officers will become increasingly sophisticated. The security officer of the 2020s will have a greater understanding of using technology to enhance security capabilities. There’s no substitute for human eyes, ears and analysis, but augmenting humans with high-tech tools will be a major shift in the industry during the coming decade.

Technology: What’s Here, What’s Coming

When the past decade started, a minority of security employees used technology as part of their day-to-day duties. Today, the vast majority do.

Much of that is technology we now all take for granted, such as using smartphones to track patrol officers and to report incidents. Clients, too, are using more technology, because of a drastic change in the industry.

Specifically, there’s been a global move away from proprietary hardware and software to plug-and-play equipment, which is much easier to install, upgrade and expand. With new capabilities being added so quickly, systems and equipment go out of date within two or three years, and upgrading quickly and economically has become critical.

In addition, the coming years will see greater use of technology in three areas:

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Drones
  • Robots

What Artificial Intelligence Can Do

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly adding more analytical and observational capabilities. It can be very expensive to have multiple human operators constantly monitoring the perimeter of a corporate campus to watch for a vehicle driven by a dangerous, disgruntled former employee. But AI can monitor and analyze the images from multiple high-resolution cameras in real-time and then alert a security officer if a vehicle matching the description is spotted.

AI can also, say, flag a vehicle that’s been spotted in an area where it shouldn’t be, or flag a suspicious vehicle that’s been seen in the same area multiple times over a short period. If the same person has been seen behind the building three times after midnight in one week, are they casing the facility and planning a break-in? AI can alert officers before the break-in occurs.

Many secure government buildings are already using AI to enhance perimeter security, and that same technology will be increasingly used in the private sector during the 2020s.

Drones on Patrol

Whether backed by human operators or artificial intelligence, drones can monitor every square inch of a campus, office park or other group of buildings much more efficiently than security officers on patrol. Drones can easily monitor areas such as rooftops that are difficult for humans to watch.

Drones can also be mobilized to quickly respond to any potential incident, providing high quality, real-time audio and video to security officers and others. They can be programmed to track heat sources or detect smoke to provide early warnings of fires.

The Human Touch

We have a logistics client who needs to ensure food safety. The client’s facilities process the contents of over 950,000 vehicles a year, and we employ advanced technology to ensure that every truck arrives in perfect condition, sealed correctly, so the client knows its contents are safe when the vehicle arrives at a grocery store.

Thanks to technology, our analytics shows that the number of potential issues has been slashed by almost 80%.

But humans will always be important and critical. Cameras and artificial intelligence can confirm that a seal is on a handle, but only a security officer can determine whether that seal is actually snapped closed. Trained personnel can spot signs of tampering and know what they’re seeing, while a camera cannot.

All of that means that human beings will still need to be an integral part of the security process. But over the next decade, security officers will be more educated, better trained, and more comfortable and familiar with how to use security technology. Clients will still want the human touch.

To discuss the impact of these trends on your organization, please call Sunstates Security at 866-710-2019 or email us.

 

FROM BOOTS TO BOTS:
SUPPORTING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY WITH SKILLED HUMANS

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Increasingly, providing the highest levels of security and peace of mind for clients requires more than boots on the ground.

It requires technology.

While human beings will always be at the core of our security strategy, we increasingly use technology to extend our security and threat mitigation capabilities.

Human beings can do many things technology cannot, such as sizing up certain types of threats. But technology can also outperform humans in certain tasks, such as monitoring the Internet to identify potential security issues in real time.

Day-to-Day and Global Security Technology

We use two basic types of technology in serving our clients.

First, we use many tech tools to manage and enhance our security officers. We track activities, ensure that all security checks are done as they should, and provide reports and analysis for clients to demonstrate that we’re meeting and exceeding their expectations.

In addition, some members of our security staff are gaining the skills required to operate Global Security Operations Centers (GSOCs). More and more companies are using GSOCs to:

  • Monitor potential threats in real time
  • Protect people and assets
  • Predict and mitigate emerging risks
  • Monitor and protect threats to corporate operations and reputation

As an example, a large church with missionaries around the world wants to analyze threat levels and potential issues in every location with church personnel, to mitigate threats and to ensure their safety. Companies with executives who are travelling to other countries for business want the same. Many areas where companies might want to set up operations, open a manufacturing facility, or visit potential partners have such threats as political unrest, terrorists or kidnappers.

Here in the U.S., one client GSOC continuously scans the internet to see if the company or its executives are mentioned anywhere, including on the Dark Web. This company, for instance, could be affected if a pending strike in Argentina threatens to affect the power grid. Skilled Sunstates analysts review compiled intelligence around the clock to not only spot potential threats, but also to judge how likely and severe they are. The most credible risks are immediately flagged for further action.

The growing use of technology offers almost infinite opportunities for Sunstates’ security officers to advance their careers and to take on new challenges.

Upgraded Training

Another area where Sunstates uses technology for ongoing upgrades is training in general. Sunstates has a rapidly expanding library of online training courses and materials for officers and supervisors, including both general and site-specific programs. Many client sites have specific security needs and challenges, which are carefully documented for all officers and supervisors to understand.

As a client-driven organization, we continually meet with clients to gain insights into the skills our security officers need to have, and our corporate training department develops materials to ensure Sunstates employees have the necessary competencies.

To discuss the impact of these trends on your organization, please call Sunstates Security at 866-710-2019 or email us.

 

HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR SECURITY PARTNERSHIP

How to Get the Most from Your Security Partnership- Sunstates Security Guard ServicesIn many organizations, managers aspire to certain perks. Such as the corner office, the big desk, the fancy furnishings, or power lunches and high-level meetings where important decisions are made.  Sunstates Security managers are a different breed.  They practice project-based management, a simple idea that yields better service for clients. With project-based management, Sunstates operates more efficiently, provides competitive pricing, and delivers more hands-on service to clients.

Simply put, Sunstates security officers and managers go above and beyond every day. The results: Our client retention rate is 95%, significantly above the industry average.

Project-Based Management:

With project-based management, managers spend more time out in the field, visiting client sites and talking to security officers and clients, than they do in their own offices. This has a number of advantages for clients and Sunstates:

  • Develops closer relationships between managers and security officers, as well as between managers and clients. Managers can listen to concerns, solicit suggestions for improvement, and make decisions on the spot.
  • Gives security officers and clients the opportunity to discuss concerns, issues, and suggestions that might not make it into a formal report, but are important enough to address.
  • Ensures our employees follow the security plan that is custom-tailored to each client and site.
  • It provides opportunities to improve those plans, as well as other security policies and procedures, immediately on-site.

Those site visits and conversations can be fruitful. When a client mentioned that no one routinely checked fire extinguishers to make sure they were operational and up to date, we added that to our operations manual. Now, every fire extinguisher has a bar code and is checked regularly. When a client casually mentions to a visiting manager that a door was defective (and the replacement was delayed), we added an hourly check of that door to the duties of every patrolling security officer.

A formal report might have no mention of these minor items. However, they help make a facility and employees more safe and secure.

Best Practices in Working with Sunstates:

When a Sunstates manager visits a client site, here’s how to take advantage of that visit:

  • Offer or brainstorm ideas for improvement to processes or services, no matter how small. We are always willing to learn new or refined processes.
  • Share ideas or ask questions. Ongoing communication is critical.
  • Point out items or situations, even temporary ones, that can increase safety and security.
  • Don’t feel reluctant to bring up any concern or issue; that’s why our managers are on-site.

Sunstates managers receive thorough training to ask for suggestions and to recognize good ideas. Please take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade your security program continually.

For more information on how Sunstates Security manages on-site security, or for an evaluation of your existing security, please call 866-710-2019 or email us.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CONTRACT SECURITY INDUSTRY

Image for Contract Security Industry PostTechnology, social trends and budgetary constraints are driving opportunities and challenges in the contract security industry. Increasing consolidation is also changing the industry landscape, especially among the larger companies.

Sunstates Security has been preparing for many of these challenges and opportunities by taking a different path when it comes to growth and consolidation.

 

Challenges and Opportunities

A recent white paper by Robert H. Perry & Associates, Inc., outlined several trends that will affect the industry in the near future:

Opportunities

  • Many municipalities are upgrading their security by outsourcing to security firms.
  • Recent crime increases in public places are also leading to increased needs for security firms and services.

Challenges

  • There is growing pressure on the industry to provide higher wages, especially as minimum wages rise.
  • There is growing pressure to provide more benefits, such as sick pay and other paid time off (PTO).
  • Several alarm and technology companies are racing to develop electronic security systems to replace or supplant security officers.

Growth and Consolidation

To meet those challenges, the biggest companies are getting bigger, often by merging with or swallowing up competitors.

A recent report by Security ProAdvisors shows that the top 10 firms account for half of all industry revenues. Six of them acquired, merged with, or formed partnership agreements with other firms in 2018. Others did the same in previous years.

Sunstates Security, which was listed as the 11th largest in the industry, has followed a different strategy.

Unlike other firms, our growth has been entirely organic: no mergers, no acquisitions, no takeovers of other companies to bulk up our employee count and revenues. Starting with $0 in 1998, Sunstates Security has grown by going above and beyond for clients. Period.

We’ve also proactively met many of today’s industry challenges by the way we take care of our security officers and other employees:

  • A culture that provides opportunities and promotes from within
  • Many industry-leading employee benefits, including medical, PTO, 401(k) plan with employer match, and others
  • Education and other resources to help employees improve skills and earn raises and promotions
  • An employee recognition program that rewards employees at every level
  • A level of service that helps Sunstates achieve client retention rates well above the industry average

Benefits of Organic Growth

Growing a company organically may be slower, but it has a lot of benefits:

  • Controlled growth. Companies can manage their growth, ensuring that infrastructure and operations keeps up with the increase in the number of employees.
  • No culture clash. Employees aren’t coming from different corporate cultures; everyone understands and follows the same policies, procedures and value.
  • More opportunities. Employees have more opportunities to grow and learn, as well as earn promotions. Smart organic growth promotes from within whenever possible, ensuring that managers understand the needs of the rank and file.
  • Orderly succession. As employees move up into more responsible positions, other employees are trained and ready to take their places.
  • Higher morale. As employees see the opportunities available, morale stays high.

The Sunstates Difference

As the industry giants get bigger, many are looking to cut costs by trimming or eliminating benefits.

At Sunstates Security, we look at our security officers and managers as more than just employees. They are partners in our growth and success, and they deserve paid time off to recharge their batteries. Sunstates provides benefits that are above average because we want people who are above average. That’s also why we have a robust employee referral and recognition program—because we want to attract and retain the best.

The Future of Security

The security industry faces a changing landscape over the next few years, from an increase in electronic surveillance and other technology to new opportunities in outsourced security from government agencies. Municipalities are increasing security in schools and other public places, adding to the growth of the industry.

How will security firms meet those demands? We think organic growth is better for employees and clients, and that’s the way Sunstates Security plans to continue to grow.

To discuss the impact of these trends on your organization, please call Sunstates Security at 866-710-2019 or email us.

Regional Manager Spotlight – Jeff Olsen

Sunstates Security is excited to spotlight the latest addition to the Sunstates team, Regional Manager Jeff Olsen. Jeff oversees operations in our newest market – California. He brings the benefit of nearly 20 years of security operations and human resources management experience. He’s worked in a variety of industries to include airline, financial, automotive, and contract security. He has managed enterprise security and safety operations for a corporation with 18 offices and 10,000 employees, as well as a corporation consisting of 7 companies, 250 offices, and 15,000 employees. He’s also served as an Account Manager for a well-known motor company, directing 200 employees across multiple locations.

Having held numerous positions within the industry, he has excellent perspective on what is important to both our employees and clients. He has extensive experience developing and implementing security procedures, training and mentoring personnel, and prioritizing security initiatives. His experience and passion for continuous improvement make him a valuable asset to the Sunstates team.

In his free time, Jeff can usually be found golfing, traveling, camping, or hiking. We are excited to have Jeff with us and hope you will reach out if he can assist you in any way! He can be reached at JOlsen@SunstatesSecurity.com.

SECURITY BY DESIGN: BEST PRACTICES IN SECURE ENVIRONMENTS

Image for Security by Design PostMost commercial buildings begin with an architect and a designer. Outside, a landscaper or landscape architect will usually be tapped to provide the esthetic surroundings.

Open floorplans. Glass walls. Lots of windows. Outside, beautiful plantings.

These features may be pleasing to the eye. But they also can significantly compromise safety. Security would be greatly enhanced by including a security expert on the initial design team.

The Four Aspects of Designing for Safety

There are four key elements to corporate security:

  • Access control, especially in shared spaces
  • Landscape design that emphasizes security
  • Interior design that mitigates potential threats
  • Security-minded policies and procedures

Element 1: Access Control

Access control can be challenging when a building or campus is shared by different organizations. But there are several best practices that can mitigate the potential for security issues:

  • Individual access control for each office or tenant
  • A centralized communication system, such as a PA, to warn all occupants of potential or actual threats
  • Building-wide access control, so only those who belong in the building can enter
  • Security systems or personnel that can flag unusual activity

Consider, for example, the auto mechanic who was terminated at a West Coast auto dealership after weeks of poor performance, threats to co-workers, and other red flags. He went to his vehicle, retrieved a gun and returned, killing two former colleagues before committing suicide. Incidents such as this highlight what many businesses are now following as a best practice:

  • Have employees park in a secure area with controlled access
  • Restrict employees from visiting their vehicles during the workday or monitor employees who do so

Element 2: Exterior Design

Parking areas, pathways and landscaping should be designed with two goals in mind: perimeter security and elimination of hiding places.

Perimeter security means establishing layers of security, typically with multiple checkpoints and many opportunities to spot potential security issues. Ideally, this strategy positions the initial access control so that a would-be intruder would be stopped before being able to enter or penetrate a facility or campus.

For landscaping, the key is to eliminate not only hiding places for intruders attempting to enter the building, but also places where someone could attack or otherwise harm employees and visitors heading towards or away from the building.

Element 3: Interior Design

The same glass walls and bullpen-type seating areas that give a space a light and airy ambience have a serious drawback. In the event of an active shooter or other incident, employees have nowhere to hide. Walls, offices and secure doors make it possible to hide from an intruder.

Employees have three options when confronted by an active shooter: run, hide or fight. Interiors should be designed to maximize all three of those options. In addition, entrances should have a holding area that can be secured to prevent an intruder from entering the inner offices.

Element 4: Policies and Procedures

None of these steps, of course, will effectively mitigate potential security threats without employee training in the proper policies and procedures to spot and react to security issues.

For organizations without an internal security chief, a security consultant that offers employee training can be an invaluable resource. Security training should be part of every new employee’s orientation, and refresher training should be mandatory and regularly scheduled.

For information on how Sunstates Security can use technology and personnel to provide greater security, or for an evaluation of your existing security systems and strategies, please call 866-710-2019 or email us.

SMART CAMERAS, SMARTER PEOPLE

New technology, especially security cameras with analytics features, are adding new capabilities and providing more reactive and proactive options. Today’s systems have capabilities previously seen only in the movies: pattern-based analytics, self-learning and AI (artificial intelligence) that can find security threats and suspicious patterns incredibly quickly and accurately. The new technology won’t replace security officers, but it will enable them to provide even greater security.

 


Spotting Potential Security Issues

Scenario 1: Looking Back for Clues

For example, you know a white van with green stripes was involved in an incident, or is suspected in an incident, on a corporate campus with 200 security cameras. Analytics software and a skilled security officer can find every instance that van was recorded by a security camera over the past few hours, days or weeks, typically in less than an hour. The security officer can build a timeline of the vehicle’s movements on the campus, as well as identify when anyone entered or left the vehicle.

Scenario 2: Looking Forward Proactively

Today’s cameras and software can also reverse-engineer that scenario. The security officer can use the software and camera system to be on the lookout for a white van with green stripes, and send an alert as soon as a vehicle matching that description is spotted.

If, say, a recently terminated employee is deemed a potential threat, and the security officer knows what type of vehicle that person is driving, the system can alert security as soon as that person drives onto the corporate campus.

Building and Managing a Complete System

Most importantly, software can now bridge different systems and different cameras from multiple manufacturers to build a complete, seamless system. Even older cameras can have the same capabilities as the latest generation, albeit possibly with lower resolution. Even if the images aren’t as sharp and clear, those cameras can still be an integral part of an early warning system, saving the costs of replacing equipment.

Cameras and Access Control

With facial recognition technology, the future won’t rely on keys, badges or card swipes, but on cameras and software that “recognize” employees and flag intruders and anyone not known by the system. This technology will be both more secure—an intruder could steal an employee’s badge or key card, but not an employee’s face—and more cost-effective.

The Human Element

Security cameras, software and other technology won’t replace security personnel. Instead, security officers will be more highly skilled in using that technology to provide higher levels of both reactive and proactive security.

For information on how Sunstates Security can combine technology with skilled personnel for a higher level of security, please call 866-710-2019 or email us.

 

 

Ready, Aim, Fire (Risk Mitigation During Terminations)

Image for Risk Mitigation During Terminations PostCalled into a termination meeting, an Illinois man pulled out a handgun, fatally shot five co-workers and wounded five police officers. In Orlando, a fired employee returned later and fatally shot five employees before killing himself. A Los Angeles man, fired from his job at an auto parts store, shot and killed six co-workers before dying in a gun battle with police.

Terminations are almost always emotional. The key is to keep them from turning deadly.

Risk mitigation prepares for the “what-ifs.” What if the employee argues and threatens? What if the employee turns violent? What if the employee has a weapon?

Most human resources professionals are caring individuals. They’re not thinking about safety and security, but about treating the terminated employee humanely while following company policies and government regulations. But safety and security should always be a prime consideration when terminating an employee.

Best Practices During Termination

  • Place an experienced manager in charge of the termination, and brief everyone involved beforehand about the process.
  • Always have a witness to the event. In an ideal situation, assign two people—at least one of the same gender as the employee—to help defuse any potential issues. The best-case scenario also includes video surveillance in real time.
  • Position HR personnel so they always have an accessible escape route; they should never have their backs to the wall or otherwise be in a position where they can be cornered or blocked from leaving.
  • Post security personnel nearby, and provide HR employees with a way to quickly call for help, such as a code word or another discreet communication method.
  • Escort terminated employees off the premises immediately, preferably not back to their desks or work stations. Instead, HR personnel should box the employee’s personal belongings.
  • Use a third-party carrier to return equipment, so the terminated employee has no legitimate need to come back to the workplace.

HR personnel should be briefed on how to calm upset individuals. One common, and effective, technique positions the termination package as a carrot by making it contingent on employee compliance with the company process.

Employees should also be trained to look for red flags, even before considering termination. If any exist, security personnel should be placed on alert for an extended period. Terminated employees have returned to their former workplaces with a weapon weeks, months or even years later. Security personnel should receive as much intelligence regarding the terminated employee as possible, including a recent photograph, what vehicle(s) he/she drives, and what to do if the individual is seen in the area.

Terminating employees is a fact of life. Mitigating the risks when that becomes necessary protects everyone.

For information on how Sunstates Security can support your human resources department and other employees before, during and after terminations, please call 866-710-2019 or email us.

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