Swedish Medical Center workers on strike. Photo by Rich Smith of The Stranger.
International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) Executive Director Sandi Davies was recently quoted in a story by Rich Smith of Seattle -based media website The Stranger.
The story concerns a strike by employees of Swedish Medical Center, a non-profit health system that operates five hospitals in the Seattle metropolitan area.
In response to the labor dispute, Swedish hired a "tactical" security company; the issue is that this company and its officers are not licensed by the state of Washington, according to the story.
That's where Davies comes in, stressing the importance of utilizing licensed security professionals, with a key component of security licensing being education:
"Aside from simply not wanting to run afoul of the law, Sandi Davies, director of the International Foundation for Protection Officers, said obtaining a license is important because security guards are often the first responders to a conflict, and "they need to have the educational background to fulfill their duties." Some companies, she added, don't provide any training at all, which "could put the security guard and the people they're hired to protect in danger."
According to a Swedish news release, "The three-day strike called by SEIU 1199NW ended at 7:30 a.m. today. Swedish is pleased to report that no major safety events occurred during the strike. We are grateful for everyone who ensured safe, quality care for our patients during this time."
That's very good news; however, hopefully in the future, Swedish considers hiring a fully-licensed company for the safety of all and in order to mitigate possible repercussions.
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International Foundation for Protection Officers Mission Statement
Mission Statement Part I.
The International Foundation for Protection Officers provides professional learning opportunities for security practitioners, to impart the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to maximize job performance and enhance career potential.
Purpose: to make a positive difference in the quality of the participant’s job performance and elevate the professional status of students who partake of our learning opportunities.
Business: to supply committed security practitioners with a quality education to help achieve their highest potential and provide recognized accreditation for successful completion of educational goals.
Values: commitment, integrity, responsibility, and standards of excellence, provide the platform that supports our journey as we pursue our mission.
Vision Statement
Commitment to Excellence: To be the recognized center of excellence and primary provider of education and training products and services to the security industry.
Mission Statement Part II.
“The International Foundation for Protection Officers is committed to the support and professional development of protection officers and supervisors. Through advocacy, promoting training standards, and providing accessible training, education and certification opportunities, we seek to enhance their professional standing as well as increase and diversify the value of the vital services they provide.”
