Windows Weekly 180

Discovery Communications

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38958123#38958123

Security Officer Death Caused By Deadly Errors

Security Officer Death Caused By Deadly Errors
By: Rick McCann Founder/CEO Private Officer International

http://www.privateofficer.com/Deadly_Errors.html

Early Wednesday morning, just before 5:00 AM I made my way to my computer and as I do each morning, I began to check our news board to see what stories my team was working on for the day. Sadly at the top of the list was the overnight killing of security officer George Hayek who had been shot to death. This was indeed a sad and tragic headline and I was prepared to start my list of notifications and assist my staff in the email blast to alert our associates of this death. But as I read the article, the tragic loss of life became even more senseless as I came to realize that it had been the security officer and not the shooter who had committed the crimes, used poor and extreme bad judgement and who had initiated the threat.

I don’t take pleasure in this statement or assessment but it’s the fact.
The news story and a later interview with the deceased security guards brother brought to light the facts that the security officer was someplace that he should not have been, engaged persons he should not have engaged and initiated the threat and caused his killer to use this extreme level of deadly force.

I have asked myself at least a hundred times, was this due to a lack of training or just poor judgement by Mr. Hayek and I can’t help but reach this simple conclusion.

Here are THREE CRITICAL ERRORS made in this incident that cost the security officer his life.

ONE- The security officer left “the assigned property” and made regular patrols of a “city owned” alley that was an abutment or easement between the Pepsi plant and an apartment complex. By his brothers own statements, the security guard frequently patrolled this alley outside of his assigned property. Any concern for perimeter security could have and should have been maintained from inside the fenced property.
He should not have been in that alley for no reason.

(Many security officers get themselves in trouble because of this error in judgement. Once you leave the assigned client property, you are no longer acting as an “agent” of the property owner and have even less authority than a security officer.)

TWO The security officer observed “loud or disorderly persons” “socializing” in a “common area of the apartments”. This statement shows that any problem, criminal or otherwise was occurring on another private property where the security officer was not assigned and had no authority. If a crime was taking place, his response should have been to call 911 and report the incident.

(ONLY in “Exigent Circumstances” would a security officer be justified in entering “Private Property” where he is not employed. In doing so otherwise, a trespass is committed. Such circumstances would include an injured person, a shooting or robbery, a fire or emergency requiring immediate response or victim needing urgent assistance)

THIRD The situation turned deadly “after” the security guard went back to the Pepsi plant, retrieved a BB gun from his vehicle, re-entered the alley and pointed it at the group. This action in and of itself was a criminal act and caused an unexpected response from a person who was part of the crowd at the apartment complex when he pulled a real handgun and fired one shot striking the security officer.

The MOST IMPORTANT “take-aways” and lessons from this terrible tragic death is to be sure that as a security officer
A. Know Your Scope of Authority
B. Know Your Area of Control
C. Know When “NOT” to Get Involved and Call 911
D. Don’t Escalate Situations-De-Escalate or Retreat and Get Help
E. Don’t Carry Un-Authorized or Non-Real Weapons/EVER
F. When In Doubt-Back Out
G. Always Operate With Good Common Sense, Good Judgment and Sound Training

The person who shot the security officer probably will face no criminal charges. He fired in self defense and in fear of his life.

I wish that my conclusion and investigative assessment was different but no matter how I try to turn and twist the facts, the truth is the truth.
My only hope and prayer now is that other security officers will understand their “Scope of Authority” and learn from this mans grave and deadly mistakes.

Mistakes made….Lessons learned…..

Gloria in D Major – Et in Terra Pax (Runaway Train)

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