Nearly every week, across the country, a security officer is engaged in a deadly shoot-out with a unpredictable individual, hell-bent on taking out anyone in their way, whether it be in Los Angeles or Texas or Oklahoma.
Security can be dangerous work, and that's why continuing education on safety is critical. A story in the York Daily Record -- written by this writer, in which IFPO's Chris Hertig was interviewed -- illustrates this.
Recently, a handcuffed prisoner in Michigan was able to wrestle a gun away from a guard and kill two bailiffs. County commissioners have moved to replace the guards, but the 900-pound gorilla in the room is how to prevent a tragedy like that from occurring again.
It appears the county might be on the right track, as they have hired an outside source to conduct a safety assessment.
By JOHN MATUSZAK - Herald-Palladium Staff Writer
ST. JOSEPH, Michigan — Two additional security positions were authorized by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, in response to the fatal shootings at the St. Joseph courthouse in July.
Commissioners agreed to fund two vacant positions, a jail guard at the Niles courthouse and a courthouse security officer at the St. Joseph courthouse.
That brings to four the additional positions put in place since July 11, when a handcuffed jail inmate being escorted from a third-floor court room wrestled away a deputy’s gun. The inmate, Larry Gordon, wounded the deputy and a civilian, and shot and killed bailiffs Joe Zangaro, head of courthouse security, and Ron Kienzle, before being shot and killed by other officers.
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According to the resolution approved by commissioners, the officer working in Niles will be responsible for overall security and for transporting prisoners within the courthouse. The St. Joseph officer will provide additional courthouse security, and will transport prisoners, including those coming from the jail and those arrested inside the courthouse on outstanding warrants.
Board Commissioner Jon Hinkelman said the new positions are in addition to the personnel who will replace Zangaro and Kienzle, bringing the total number of security officers at the St. Joseph courthouse up to four. This will allow two sheriff’s deputies, or a deputy and a bailiff, to be assigned to move an inmate, Sheriff Paul Bailey said.
Not all commissioners are convinced that adding officers is the final solution to the county’s security needs.
Read the rest of the story here.
