Govt. Could Buy Security Vests For Holocaust Museum Officers: Union Official

Contributing Reporting By Sam Stein

An executive official at the union representing security officers at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum said that he expected the federal government to purchase security vests for personnel working at the site, following the shooting of an officer on Wednesday.

Kerry C. Lacey, International Vice President of Region 6 of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA), told the Huffington Post that he was set to have a call with the private security firm in charge of museum operations on Friday to discuss, among other things, measures to improve the safety of on-site officers.

One area of focus is likely to be security vests. Union officials had requested that Wackenhut Services, Inc (WSI), the company that employs the Holocaust Museum security guards, supply the officials with the protective gear. The request was denied.

Going forward, Lacey said that he expected the federal government to intervene, "There could be a chance that [the government] buys these vests and requires that they are worn," he said. "They'd make a request to WSI. If the client... buys them, they will be required to wear them. In the close future I think [the government] will probably require them."

When this will take place and which government entity would make the purchase is not entirely clear. The Department of Homeland Security does not have authority over security operations at the museum, a DHS official confirmed. An email to Wackenhut requesting clarification on this matter was not immediately returned. Asked if the firm would require security guards to wear protective vests following Wednesday's shooting, Susan Pitcher, an official with Wackenhut, did not offer an affirmative answer.

"All of our security guards at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum were in their prescribed uniforms, arms and equipment as per the contract specifications," she said, declining to comment further.

The shooting of the Holocaust Museum security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns by James Van Bunn has sparked an angry response from labor officials who note that, during contract negotiations two years ago, SPFPA had pressed Wackenhut to issue bulletproof vests for personnel. Had that request been met, they say, the killing at the facilities on Wednesday could have been avoided. As for future requirements, Lacey said, "This is all subject to negotiations," including issues of liability should security officers be provided with the vests and refuse or simply not choose to wear them.

In addition to pressing for the protective gear, SPFPA will be launching a fundraising drive on Friday on behalf of the victim's family, with the international union matching donations made by its local affiliates.

Comments

[snapshot1940]

Why didn't the Govt. contract specify that personal protection should be worn? Probably because the company would have charged the Govt. for the vests and then required the security officers to buy their own. I worked for years as an armed security officer in a casino resort in Laughlin, NV. Remember the shootout between the Hells Angels/Vagos a few years back? I was outside on my little bicycle patroling the parking lot at my casino and wishing like hell I had a vest.
No company is going to buy their people vests because of the turnover and because it would be cheaper to replace the officer than buy him one.
I see and hear about the monuments to the brave police officers and firefighters who gave their lives to protect society but i'm not aware of any for the myriad of security officers who have done the same. Their ratio of deaths per thousand is much higher but it seems like no one really cares. Movies like "Mall Cop", "National Security" and other recent movies diminish the responsibility of the real officers who are protecting you. Give it a thought!

[RGKahn]

If the report is true, that he was shot in the chest with a .22 rifle, then a vest, with or without a trauma plate would have saved his life. I was a security guard with DOD Police and wore the same vests as the DOD Police, with a trauma plate. It is inconceivable to have an armed security officer with out providing that officer with the personal protection of a bullet resistant vest .

[olmossy]

I wholeheartedly agree,and I wore that hot,stinki­ng,itching SOB every day of my career in the Hot South. Vest were issued but not mandatory, Sadly about half our Officers didn't wear their vest.
It's called Superman complex.

Think of the awkwardness of the situation where an Officer has been shot and killed , and then later you have to go to his widow to retrieve the Police Dept. vest hanging in his closet.
Sorry a little dark humor.

[Chapmanp2]

Sorry but private contractors employing individuals have a responsibility to provide for their security. NOT the federal government who can't hardly keep up w/ military demands for security equipment. Corporate socialism is becoming more & more rampant & "conservatives" seem just fine w/ that, try to provide a little health care & they scream bloody murder...

[texanna]

Or, better yet, guns could be illegal in our parks. Oh yeah, I forgot, our "representatives" just voted to allow guns into our parks. Seems like it would save a LOT of money to do something about that bit of absurdity instead the workaround of buying protective vests!

[olmossy]

But this gun was illegal. And it was illegal for VonBrunn to have it. Laws didn't kill the Officer, an ignorant twisted sociopath did.

[LeeCalif]

..... that pulled the trigger of a gun.

[texanna]

yes, but if guns were illegal in our National Parks and Monuments then metal detectors could be in place and he wouldn't have gotten past the entrance. See how easy that was?

[olmossy]

Officer Johns, apparantly acted in every way the heroic police officer or soldier.And he died at his post. I hope they give him a sendoff , befitting a good Cop.
No one. Not Police Officer, or Security Officer, should EVER strap on a gun,and badge and not have a vest on.
Yes I know , they're hot, they smell bad, they are uncomfortable, they cause rashes and itching, AND they are Expensive. The Alternative is unacceptable. It should be absolutley mandatory.

Of course this once again comes down to the bottem line. This is just part of doing business. If a Company wants to supply an armed Security Officer, then he should be properly equiped. If it cost more well then thats the price you pay.

The Security Company should have demanded this when the agreement was made. But the final responsibility lies with OUR GOVERNMENT.

[Chapmanp2]

"The final responsibility lies w/ our Government"???
For a private security contract???? The Company (not the government) is responsible for the security of their people on the job on their behalf. That's the whole purpose of contracting out the work.
If you want the government responsible for providing vests, then make it a government job w/ full government benefits. The sad fact is that that security officer probably was paid a pittance...

[olmossy]

Chap I was trying to be fair and take some of the blame. I am usually real mean to Government Contractors.

I'm assuming the museum is a Government building. If it is. There are unarmed Security Officers, and Armed Secutity Officers for a higher price.

What I'm saying is If the Gov. hires an Armed Security Officer they must believe the threat level warrants this extra expense. I'm saying If you hire an Armed Offiicer you should insist he is properly trained and properly equiped. The Company should see to this.
The Government should demand it. And be ready to pay more for it.

Actually I agree with you on the Government Job aspect. But that is not the case here.

Then again Everyone is trying to save pennies. Which is allways a problem when you privatize Secutity or parts of Law Enforcement.

[ljc]

I find it troubling that the safety of any Security Police is subject to " contract negotiations". It just proves that Corporations care very little about their employees.

[SamKnause]

Too little too late. Nothing like addressing a problem after the facts.

[olmossy]

Like closing the barn door after the horses are out.? Yeah, but theyre are lots of horses still in the barn to look out for.

[Chapmanp2]

More like trying to limit liability...

[Flavor]

It's a shame but we live in a day and time where safety is going to be required just to go boweling. I want to give to the officers family, I'm glad that they are going to do a fundraiser for this family because I know the grief at this time is so hard to bare. To the family of this officer we want you to know that we feel your pain, and nothing any of us at this time can say can stop the pain but we will pray for your family and never forget your love one, he was brave and he served his country as a good servant, just doing a job he loved. A man is not great by all the things he can do, but by the one he goes after and conquers Mr.Johns conquered that one. Thank You, Mr. Johns for showing america what it means to be diligent and for serving your country.

[ChangeNow]

The guards are probably paid less than $10 per hour, and they company they work for won't even give them vests that cost about $600 each. Scu.mb.ags. Cancel their contract, hire the guards directly, and pay and outfit them properly.

The security industry is one of the most exploitive in the country.

[TJCole]

Yeah, it's a shame this poor officer didn't already have a vest...

[majii]

This is what upsets me so much about this whole incident:

"All of our security guards at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum were in their prescribed uniforms, arms and equipment as per the contract specifications," she said, declining to comment further.

[llisa]

So, the government is likely going to buy security vests for Holocaust Museum guards.

The best thing the government could do at this point is to declare such attacks and threats (as well as those toward women's clinics) as domestic terrorism and treat the perpetrators as such.

Expose the hate speech that instigates these terrorist acts for what it is.

Probably most importantly, prominent Republicans in government have to speak out against these acts and against the hate-speech coming from television, radio, and some of their fellow politicians. At this point, I think they are the only ones who have even a chance of getting through to others who think this violence against "the others" is a good idea.

[dillydawg]

Spot on.

[Chapmanp2]

Naw... That only happens for Peace, environmental, & animal activists...

[olmossy]

I don't disagree with your post, but none of these things will stop the next bullet. There's no guarantee the vest make them totaly safe, but they will sure raise his odds of survival.