Beyond the Call of Duty?

The June 5, 2003 issue of "City Life", one of the major weekly alternative newspapers here in Las Vegas Vegas, had an interesting article about a local security officer who was seriously injured during an attempt to stop an assault against a female worker in a Clark County Social Services office. The SO worked for an contract agency, and was unarmed, although he had been a member of the Southeast Freestyle Fight Association in North Carolina and felt he had the ability to handle an attack.

The SO's actions saved the woman and he was eventually awarded the distinguished Medal of Honor from Clark County. Even his employer applauded his actions.

Now, however, the SO is facing a not atypical problem following the injuries received. Injuries suffrered were siginificant enough that the SO could no longer work a regular type post, and would have to be assigned to "light duty" security work. The injuries suffered were worse than originally anticipated, and although his employer was initially cooperative, costs to the employer apparently became too high, and the SO's disability checks were cut off for a short period of time until the SO enrolled in a physical therapy program.

Although the SO's actions were prudent considering the seriousness of the attack aginst the employee, and the SO was described as extremely courageous, the question arises as to whether actions of ths type should be taken by security personel working for contract agencies who are hired to protect the premises during the working day. This is not a new concern. Where does the contract security officer end? Does it go beyond that of what may be called for in the agency-client contract, regardless of what conditions may arise?

Or is the security officer under a moral and humanistic duty to go beyond the contracted for services when conditions may call for such action? Is calling local law enforcement the only action a security officer can take when he sees an incident about to begin or in progress, or should he step in to quell the scenario?

It's these kinds of questions that have to be spelled out in the agreement between client and agency, between agency and officer. Sometimes the resulting operating procedures may not be what people would like to have take place, but both the officer, agency, and client have to look at the long term picture. Not an easy task.