Allied Security Executive Calls for Federal Legislation to Standardize Quality of Private Security Officers.

Business Editors

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2001

The president of the nation's largest independently held contract security company, today called on Congress to quickly enact legislation mandating comprehensive, professional standards for private security officers, as well as enabling security service providers everywhere the immediate, accurate and nationwide access to criminal records histories of persons seeking security officer positions.

William C. Whitmore, president of Allied Security, the nation's largest independently held security firm and the third overall, said the contract security industry, which provides security officers for tens of thousands of public facilities, including high-rise office buildings and airports, has been asking Congress for legislation to enhance security officer standards and background checks.

"All contract security companies in the United States are pleading to our Congressional leaders to pass legislation that once and for all would require security officers to meet minimum quality and training standards, and demand pre-employment, nationwide criminal record certification," Whitmore said.

He noted that the current procedures find security companies regulated in some states and not at all in others. The process of obtaining criminal record checks varies from state to state; in some states the process barely exists.

"I don't think there is any doubt that federal legislation to establish on-going training standards and standardization of effective criminal background record checks will minimize price shopping by companies to hire the cheapest possible security service - a practice often associated with the airline industry," Whitmore said.

The contract security industry in the United States is made up of an estimated 11,000 companies that generate about $11 billion in revenues.

The National Association of Security Companies (NASCO), of which Allied Security is a member, urged passage of the Barr-Martinez Bill expressly to set standards and provide criminal record histories for the security industry. The legislation died in Congress two years ago after a five-year history by NASCO to gain passage.

Whitmore, a 30-year veteran of the private security industry and law enforcement, said access to nationwide criminal record histories located at a central repository is vital.

"Our recruiters need immediate and accurate criminal record histories on every applicant we process for employment," he said. "It is a travesty that our industry has been blocked from gaining reliable information, considering the millions of people for whom we provide protection on a daily basis. A fee-based system with comprehensive, timely feedback would be embraced by every contract security company - big and small - throughout the country."

Allied Security, with more than 18,000 employees and about $450 million in revenues, has more than 60 offices serving 2,000 plus accounts in over 250 cities coast to coast. The company, based in King of Prussia, Pa., provides Integrated Asset Protection to regional shopping malls, high-rise office buildings, hospitals, universities, corporate complexes, banks and other commercial buildings.