Open Letter to Chief of Police Fontana PD - Why do you hate us?

 

Dear Chief,

First of all, let me thank you for taking the time to read this open letter. I think it's important what others think about the Fontana Police.  I think it is safe to say that for whatever reasons that must exist in the Fontana PD’s culture [or attitudes ]of others as well, the Fontana Police do not like or take kindly to security guards. Although most of us are trained well enough to do the job as trained observers, there seems to be a large gap [physically and mentally], a chasm of some kind, that is frustrating and somewhat worrisome when it comes time to back up security guards in the field. I work in Fontana at one of your busiest major road intersections. I know your men and women are busy, I observe them daily and see how busy they are.

I have always respected law enforcement. My family is full of law enforcement history. I did over 30 years as a correctional officer, supervisor and a warden in NM and AZ combined and found that retirement and staying home was not suited for me thus I went to work as a security guard.
However, I have experienced that being out there, alone most of the time and in the dark, law enforcement officers do not like to interact with security officers. They appear to shun or avoid talking to us or recognizing us when we patrol and they pass by. It seems almost like if you don’t drive a black or white, you are not worthy of their attention when in fact, we crave their presence because of the hostilities and volatility on the job today.

We wear a uniform, police wear a uniform – we both ensure safety and security only in a different sense. Society has already demonstrated its hate for cops and the distinction is very small when all they see is the uniform or the badge. Let me first say this, there are exceptions to the rule but the rule is “never judge a book by its cover.” There are many good men and women out there willing to help the public and police are asked or drawn into difficult situations.

My public career spans almost 30 years and never before have I felt so alienated with the police. Upon contact, face to face or via the telephone, one expects professionalism. I am not a “wannabe” police officer – I have a son who is a criminal investigator in Santa Fe BIA,  a brother who is also a retired warden, and a son who was a correctional officer sergeant. We know the perils of the job police have and deal with today. 

I spent most of my career inside the prisons doing the same thing cops do on the streets without the guns, taser or baton. Let’s face it. I am just a security guard but when approached by six male homeless transients who refused to move from private property, enforcement is likely to be weak without backup in the darkness of empty building in a shopping center that is like a magnet for transients and who pander even when they are told to leave. If they have weapons on them, there is no way for me to know because I am not the police and I don’t ‘search’ or pat them down before I approach them.

All security guards ask from the police is respect. No snide remarks, no ignoring their words and no condescending attitudes. Every night, when they make their rounds in their SUVs, they deliberately ignore my presence. It is rude and unprofessional and if I was a certified police officer, they would stop with some professional courtesy but they don’t. 

I am a retired deputy warden working as a uniformed security guard and do this to support my family. The same reasons police work to support theirs. There are very few rewards in this job as well as yours. I have worked with convicted felons for more years than I care to mention but they were harsh years. It was just like the PD, 7 days a week, 24 hours on call, holidays and odd shifts. Felons don’t give respect to anyone who doesn't serve their own needs. You have to demand respect with your own “command presence.”

So why do cops treat security officers, or "guards"--whatever you want to call their occupation although I think the term "guard" is most often used rudely--as a "lesser than"? Is it because LEO's have clear statutory authority? We protect the public, and they protect buildings? Training standards for uniformed physical security are generally lower than those than the police? Maybe it's none of the above, or all of the above and then some. Regardless, we are also first responders and risk more than we need to at times for the meager pay and benefits.Sound familiar?

Many of us [retired people] have thousands of hours of relevant training spanning from the National Institute of Justice to the local law enforcement agencies that conducted the training. We know we are NOT the police and don’t act like it. Personally, I think it boils down to ignorance on behalf of the cop, coupled with good old-fashioned police ego...if I am allowed to generalize. That's the danger of perception; it's shallow in depth. Therefore, it is limited in truth. Don’t take me wrong, I respect the police. I love their presence and a little more respect won’t hurt the relationship either.

Regards,

Carl ToersBijns