Pinkerton Acquires Force-1 Security.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 1998-- Pinkerton's Inc. (NYSE:PKT) announced Monday it has acquired Force-1 Security, a regional security company based in Wichita, Kan.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Force-1 provides uniformed security officers and patrol and alarm-response services to businesses throughout the Wichita and Topeka areas. The company is one of the area's largest security providers, and its accounts include office buildings, financial institutions, medical facilities and retail establishments.

"The regional strength of Force-1 is a welcome addition to Pinkerton's service capabilities in the Kansas area," said Don W. Walker, Pinkerton's executive vice president for the Americas. "Current clients of both companies, as well as future clients, will benefit from our combined expertise and resources."

Donald R. Sherman, Force-1's president and chief executive officer, will continue to manage the operation in his new role as district manager for Pinkerton's Kansas territory. "This is a great day for Force-1 and our employees," said Sherman.

Sherman added, "As members of Pinkerton's global organization, we will continue to apply our core strengths in officer and patrol services, while adding the broader expertise of Pinkerton for consulting and investigations, systems integration and employee selection services."

Sherman, a former cadet with the Sedgwick County Sheriffs Department and a police lieutenant with the city of Derby, created Force-1 in 1994.

Pinkerton is one of the world's largest and most respected security companies, providing uniformed security officers, investigations, consulting, business intelligence, security-systems integration, and employee selection and communications services.

Founded in 1850 by Allan Pinkerton, the "original private eye," the company has revenues exceeding $1 billion and lists more than 80 percent of the U.S. Fortune 1000 as clients. With headquarters in Westlake Village, Pinkerton (www.pinkertons.com) has more than 250 offices and 47,000 employees throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia.