The programme, to be launched on Thursday 8 May, is designed to heighten the security profession’s profile and the vitally important role played by security officers within different communities.
The Anglo-American Exchange Programme is the brainchild of SectorGuard plc, one of the UK’s leading providers of total security solutions for end users. Its basic premise is to introduce an exchange of Best Practice techniques and ideas.
Announcing the initiative, Una Riley – group head of communications at SectorGuard – told info4security: “The SectorGuard Anglo-American Exchange (SAAE) is a unique concept within the security personnel sector. The SAAE model is based upon Best Practice, education and professionalism. Knowledge can be imparted from the UK to the US, and vice-versa.”
Under the Exchange Programme, officers will be chosen from each country to experience the differences encountered when serving as a private security officer in another country. “This programme really is an exceptional vehicle,” said Riley, “which will enable the profession to heighten the profile and role that security officers play within our different communities.”
All ‘formal’ information gathered from the experience will be shared with the profession via the relevant associations in both the UK and the US. “The ‘informal’ side of the experience is to be shared with everyone on both sides of the pond via a web link from the various agencies and associations involved,” added Riley. “SectorGuard’s web site and that belonging to the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) will be used so that everyone can keep up with the officers’ progress, as detailed in their own personal Blogs.”
According to Riley, the collected data will be the first of its kind in the security profession, with all Best Practice information that emerges being made available for dissemination among BSIA Member Companies.
What’s happening in practice?
The two American security officers involved will be seconded to the UK for one week in July, during which time their itinerary includes visits to the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, the worLd famous Harrods store, London University and University College Hospital.
The Exchange Programme will be open to all UK applicants from next month. The two British security officers eventually selected will travel to the States and ‘shadow’ their American counterparts. Within their itinerary is a visit to the FBI.
Managing the US side of the concept is Bonnie Michelman, the well-known and hugely respected director of police, security and outside services at the Massachusetts General Hospital (which also serves as the teaching hospital for the Harvard Medical School). A former president of ASIS and Life Honorary Member of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, Michelman is in charge of security for the hospital’s 14,000 employees.
Una Riley assumes full responsibility for the UK element of the Exchange Programme. Riley was the first woman Master of The Worshipful Company, and is presently senior warden of the Guild of Public Relations in the City of London. For 22 years, Una managed her own security company while also finding time to serve as a Council member-chairman of the BSIA’s CCTV Section. Una also represented the UK security sector’s interests in Europe, serving as chairman of SC1 and an executive Council member on behalf of the Association.
Peter French (Master of The Worshipful Company and managing director of recruitment specialist SSR Personnel Services) is also involved as a foundation member of the SAAE Group.
