News Stories Section Thursday, November 16, 2006
Please be advice, NOT to subscribe to the News Stories Section. As you know, i'm taking over this site as the new administrator and my intention is to keep all sections free. I'm starting to administer the site and have yet to find the way to deactivate the subscrition page for the News Stories.

A New Beginning Monday, October 9, 2006
After months of uncertainty the fate of SPS has finally been determined...and a wonderful fate it is. Long time member Francois has offered to take over SPS in its entirety. Processes are underway to facilitate the transfer and have already begun. In a few days, a week at the most, the transfer of SPS will be complete. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Francois for taking on this obligation (including the financial aspects), and thereby ensuring the life of SPS. Spread the word to those that already departed. SPS is back and I'm sure it will be better than ever!

Code of Ethics Monday, March 13, 2006
Most of us probably consider ourselves "ethical" and would argue vehemently if anyone suggested otherwise. Yet do you always comply with your organization's Code of Ethics? That is the March poll question. Answer honestly!

February Poll Question Monday, February 6, 2006
Most of us have such an interest in our chosen field of security that we even spend time "outside of work" talking or reading about security. Those activities may take the form of security related courses, websites, books, meetings or magazines. This month's poll question asks:  On average, how many hours a week do you spend on security related interests, outside of work, each week? (ex. security articles, websites, courses, books, etc)   How will you compare to your fellow security professionals?

Whitney Khattak named Security Officer of the Year Thursday, February 2, 2006

In one of those funny twists of fate, a temporary job while in school not only became a permanent career for Whitney Khattak, but it has also earned her the honor of being named Security Officer of the Year for 2005. This was the first year for the international award, which is sponsored by The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) and the Security Professionals Site (SPS).

Khattak, who works for Hannon Security at Riverside Plaza in Minneapolis, said she originally thought working in the security field while she was in school would be a good step toward an eventual career in law enforcement. Instead, as soon as she started her job with Hannon Security in 1997, she found herself liking it so much that she’s not only still there, but has absolutely no desire to do anything else, she said.

Who knows? Had her first security job been elsewhere, she might have not stayed in the field. And that, based on what her supervisor at Hannon Security, Director Jason Elmes, says about her, would certainly have been a loss for the profession, the company and the clientele she serves. She was instrumental to the Minneapolis Police Department's arrest and incarceration of a male who, in a month’s time, kidnapped two young girls, who he had planned to molest, said Elmes who nominated her for the award.

Khattak’s hard work and professionalism have not only earned her recognition as Security Officer of the Year, but the prizes that come with the award, which include a $500 cash prize from IFPO, a $100 cash prize from SPS, and a $300 scholarship toward any IFPO educational offering. She will also receive a free lifetime membership to SPS, and will be featured in the February 2006 issue of "Security Magazine."

Riverside Plaza, where both Khattak and Elmes work, is an apartment complex with approximately 3,000 apartments with a very diverse population, and about 35 other properties.

“Our properties are monitored via video surveillance, vehicle patrol, and foot patrol by our officers,” said Elmes. “Our officers respond to all types of emergency and customer service situations that occur within security and policing.”

“As a matter of fact, we’re not even called the security office,” said Khattak. “We’re called Resident Services because of the multiple tasks we perform,” she said. The office is staffed 24 hours a day. “If you have a complaint or a need, you come to us.”

And it’s that very diversity of tasks that make the job so appealing for Khattak, who obtained her CPO certification through IFPO. Each day is different, she said. When she comes to work, she never knows what she might end up doing before the day is over.

But whatever the task, Khattak is up to doing it with diligence, dedication and determination, according to Elmes.

“I hired Whitney over five years ago for a position that required her to be both a security officer and a supervisor on different days. Whitney’s tenacity and ability to handle difficult situations quickly elevated her to become a full-time supervisor. Eventually, Whitney became my Assistant Director and Lead Investigator. Whitney has investigated many crimes to include assaults, kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct cases, and many other crimes with a high degree of success,” said Elmes.

Elmes said that during his career that includes experience as a Marine military police officer and more than 6 1/2 years as a manager and director of security, he has seen many security and police officers, both good and bad.

“Because of my experiences, I feel confident of my ability to rate Whitney as one of the best officers any organization could have. No matter what the assignment is, Whitney will consistently take charge from start to finish. She plays an intricate role in the training of new supervisors and keeps our security organization running smoothly no matter the situation,” he said.

The Security Officer of the Year program was launched by IFPO and SPS as a natural extension of both organizations’ objective of fostering excellence in the security profession, said Sheldon Bergner, owner and administrator of SPS.

Individuals from both IFPO and SPS formed an international committee charged with coming up with criteria to judge the candidates. All agreed that the successful candidate could be employed in a variety of security jobs, and would possess the integral qualities of honesty, professionalism and commitment. These qualities, together with experience, education and impeccable references would form the core requirements for the “Security Officer of the Year.”

Inquiries poured in almost as soon as the new program was announced, and those initial inquiries grew into over 40 comprehensive applications encompassing a broad spectrum of security personnel, said Bergner.

All the applications reflected a phenomenal wealth of experience, knowledge and professionalism, which made choosing just one candidate a very challenging task. Several weeks were spent reviewing the applications and conducting reference checks. After much deliberation Whitney Khattak was declared the winner, Bergner said.

For more information about the award, see the IFPO site at http://www.ifpo.org or the SPS site at http://www.securityprofessionalssite.com.

Psychological Testing for Security? Sunday, January 1, 2006
Should psychological testing be mandatory for anyone seeking employment as a security officer? That is January's Poll question. What do you think?

New Poll! Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Think your site is prepared for an evacuation? Are your plans up to date and reviewed with all new (and not so new) employees on a regular basis? More importantly, do you have an actual evacuation exercise at least annually? That is the question asked in this month's poll.

Professionalism Poll Thursday, June 2, 2005
Our newest poll asks Compared to 5 years ago, has professionalism in the security industry increased, decreased or stayed the same?

SECURITY OFFICER OF THE YEAR! Thursday, April 14, 2005
Security Professionals Site and the International Foundation for Protection Officers are proud to announce the formal launch of the first annual "Security Officer of the Year" award! Starting immediately you can submit an application or nomination for this prestigious award!

Prizes for the winner include a $500 cash prize from IFPO, a $100 cash prize from SPS, and a $300 scholarship toward any IFPO educational offering. The winner will also receive a free lifetime membership to SPS, and will be featured on the cover of the January 2006 “Security Magazine.”

Physical Aggression? Tuesday, April 5, 2005
At work do you often have to deal with potentially violent situations? Or do you never have to deal with physical aggression? Be sure to vote in our Poll for this month: On average how often do you deal with a physically aggressive individual in your capacity as a security professional?