Washington,
D.C., April 15, 2020 salutes security officers across the United States
who are playing a crucial role in public safety amid the COVID-19
pandemic. There are over 1,000,000 private security officers in the
United States, outnumbering public law enforcement personnel by a margin of
more than two to one. As the current crisis severely strains law
enforcement resources, private security companies and their dedicated,
hardworking security officers increasingly are being relied upon to provide
vital security and support, including maintaining social distancing and other
health and safety requirements, at hospitals, government facilities, and
essential businesses. They are also safeguarding non-essential
businesses and other venues such as schools that have been closed but still
require security. While such public-facing roles come with
increased public exposure, security officers throughout the U.S. are showing up
for duty every day.
Recognizing the
essential nature of private security and private security officers during this
crisis, the Department of Homeland Security/Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency includes “personnel (front line and management)” in “private
security” in the category of essential critical workers related to “Law
Enforcement, Public Safety and Other First Responders”. Also, included in
that important category is “Security staff to maintain building access control
and physical security measures.”
In the United
States, the vast majority of security officers are employed by contract private
security companies. This means the security officers currently providing
security and public safety services on-site at medical centers, critical
infrastructure and manufacturing facilities, nursing homes, grocery and
hardware stores – practically everywhere --- are not employees of those
essential businesses. Nonetheless, it is those contract private security
officers and their companies who are ensuring the safe, continued operation of
those essential businesses. Their contributions are often
overlooked by politicians and the media.
Accordingly, as
Congress, the Federal government and state and local governments look to
provide accommodations or premium compensation to essential workers during the
COVID-19 pandemic, the essential service role played by security officers and
the essential business role played by private security companies cannot be
overstated, nor overlooked.
Our team works hard every day to assure the security and safety of our clients and their properties!
