Law enforcement officers stand guard at the entrance to the Social Security office in McComb, Mississippi, following a report of an attack July 9, 2018.Matt Williamson / The Enterprise-Journal via AP
Security officer Kipper Breckenridge, who shot and killed a man who was stabbing his mother and grandmother inside the McComb Social Security building in Mississippi, penned a detailed post on Facebook on the anniversary of the deadly shooting. As with most issues, the security industry is lagging far behind law enforcement, and security professionals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) appears to be no different. Breckenridge's post details how he has been abandoned by companies and agencies that ostensibly would be willing to help him, given that he saved -- at the minimum -- two lives as a man was wildly wielding a knife inside the federal building. It is instances like this that prove the security industry has a long way to go in taking care of the individuals on the ground-level, the Forgotten Soldiers of the Invisible Empire. This must end. -- IFPO.
Today is the day I finally break my silence. A year ago today I was the protective security officer that shot and killed the young man that tried to stab his mother and grandmother to death at the social security office in McComb.
Not a day goes by that I don't think about him and his family and hope that the mother and grandmother are recovering emotionally, mentally, and physically. I hope that they understand that I wasn't trying to kill their family member but to stop him from killing them.
So people understand my job a little better, I am contracted through a company to the federal government. Every 5 years the contract goes up for bid, the company tends to change to the lowest bidder, and by law they have to offer us our job. With that change comes different company policies and rules.
When the shooting happened Inner Parrish Security Corporation (IPSC) out of Hammond, LA had the contract. They told me to take as much time off as needed with full pay but at least a week. So me, not knowing any better took the minimum week.
About 3-4 weeks later I started having severe headaches and neck pain. Pain so bad I was starting to double over. I was also waking up 15-20 times a night. I thought I had a brain tumor or something because my head was hurting so bad. I went to statcare and the doctor asked me what was going on I explained to him how I felt and what I recently went through. He diagnosed me with anxiety and depression from stress and referred me to a therapist. The therapist diagnosed me with PTSD. I had no idea the symptoms of PTSD could manifest itself in physical pain.
The therapist recommended me to take 6 weeks off work and to see a psychiatric nurse to be properly prescribed medicine to help me with all of my symptoms.
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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.”
