LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Aug 1, 2004 12:00 PM

More on the Complexities of Credibility

You expressed [that] the public believes “security” lacks credibility, and “there's probably not much we can do about it” (“Why the Public Thinks Security Lacks Credibility,” Editor's Letter, May 2004). I respectfully disagree with that statement. Being in the insurance loss control field and addressing safety and security issues for a variety of businesses, I know all too well how difficult it can be to prove that you prevented something from happening. It's far easier to prove that you caused something to happen. As you explained, the public only points the finger when security measures fail to work. This occurs in safety and fire prevention as well; a safety director will only get attention when a workplace injury happens, and will never be recognized for what he saved by implementing a new series of engineering controls to eliminate hazards.

You say, “Security guards are untrained and inattentive. They can't keep guns or knives off our airplanes. Terrorist targets aren't being guarded.” But then you immediately state, “Being a security professional in this day and age is a thankless task.” The difference between a security professional and a security guard is very important to the public credibility issue as well as the development of the profession. You stated, “The monumental successes of our industry go unreported, and therefore largely unnoticed by the public at large.” Again, there should be a distinction between the security industry and the security profession — distinctions that the public does not understand.

Just because the security profession cannot prevent 100 percent of the loss events doesn't mean it cannot have credibility in the public eye. I believe much of the problem has been with the security profession itself.

The public and many security practitioners should realize that most security guards are there to be the “eyes” of an overall security scheme, provide human judgment, and implement a set of procedures for a particular event; they are typically not there to provide law enforcement, prevent crime, or provide “security.” If the security guard community believes they have a credibility problem, then efforts should be made to create a minimum image standard and attract higher quality personnel with appropriate compensation. Because of poor promotion, the public is not aware of security professionals or the work they do. Until this awareness is achieved, the public will believe that “security” is the uniformed guard and the CCTV cameras.

We cannot have, nor can we afford, a defeatist attitude on how we are perceived, whether we are involved in the intricacies of the profession or face the risks and thankless tasks of being a guard.
— Chad Veach, CSP, EIT, Senior Engineer, Home Office Risk Improvement, EMC Insurance Companies, Des Moines, Iowa

The Benefits of Knowledge and Links

I always look forward to the Security Beat E-Newsletter. The articles are informative and links have been of substantial interest. As a security manager for an international airport (Edmonton) and with a security guard force of 70 (responsible for physical security and protection of assets), I believe knowledge and information gathering are important.

Again the articles and links allow me to keep in touch with what is going on and what is available.
— GARRY HOLLAND, CPO, CSO, Site Security/Pass Control Office Manager, Initial Airport Security Services, Edmonton International Airport, Alberta, Canada

EDITOR'S NOTE: Readers can sign up for the weekly Security Beat e-mail newsletter by visiting www.securitysolutions.com

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

Your opinions are very important to us at ACCESS CONTROL & SECURITY SYSTEMS. To offer comments or suggestions, please send an e-mail to editor Larry Anderson at landerson@primediabusiness.com. Please be sure to include “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line.

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