[LSNN] Felons as security guards, is enough being done to regulate private security?

[books]

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Felons as security guards, is enough being done to regulate private security?

 

A revelation about an employee of Holland Private Security raises questions of accountability, questions that arguably were partially answered by the now dead CLARKE act 

 

By PHOEBE HOLTER

 

 

Los Santos, SA - To some, the recent rise of Los Santos based security firm Holland Private Security could be described as a breath of fresh air. In a city dominated primarily by controversial rival private security firm Gruppe 6, Holland Private Security has offered their clients what seems to be a fresh alternative.

 

However, a recent revelation about one of Holland Private Security’s team members raises questions about the hiring practices of the company, the operating guidelines they use and finally, the state of regulation over private security in the state. 

 

Holland Private Security promotional image, sourced from their website.

 

Previously charged with evading law enforcement and being an accomplice in a burglary, Denvor Dogson is both an supervisor at Holland Private Security and a convicted felon. 

 

He now finds himself tasked with “offering premium active security security solutions”, according to HPS’ website.

 

Cynics may spot something slightly ironic about Dogson, who was himself convicted for serving as an accomplice in a burglary, supervising the protection of clients’ property from burglars. 

 

Holland Private Security themselves do not see this as an issue though. In a statement to LSNN, they said that they only heard positive things from their clients about Dogson.

 

"Since D. Dogson was active within Holland Private Security, no client ever informed us of missing items or damage, in fact, our clients only spoke well of D. Dogson."

 

The company seems adamant in claiming that Dogson has only been a positive influence. HPS has claimed that they were aware of his criminal record when joined the company; they had just chosen to overlook that at the time. 

 

Another promotional image from Holland Private Security, sourced from Holland Private Security's website.

 

The statement they provided also contains claims that they had performed an internal investigation into Dogson after news broke that those outside of the company. Their internal investigation concluded that Dogson was not a threat to clients. 

 

"At the time of hiring D. Dogson, Holland Private Security was made aware by D. Dogson that he had a record."

 

"After an extensive investigation by Holland private security, we found that D. Dogson would not pose any risk or threat to Holland Private Security, its continuity or its clients."

 

It is unclear if HPS perform criminal record checks in their recruiting policies.

The rehabilitation of criminals in society is important. You would be hard pressed to find many who would disagree that Dogson should indeed be allowed to work his way back into society in some capacity.

 

But as those in the business know, security firms rely a great deal on the trust their clients put into them. The decision to not only hire Dogson but also to further back him may cause clients of Holland Private Security to ask more questions of the staff they pay Holland Private Security to send to guard their properties.

 

Gruppe Six patrol car in downtown Los Santos

 

Dogson’s hiring though is just another in a long line of issues in Los Santos relating to private security. Holland Private Security’s larger rival, Gruppe Six, is also no stranger to controversy.

 

In much of America, security guards have to obtain permits from local authorities to work. Indeed in Los Santos, according to the recently passed SHAFT act, security guards must obtain a Security Guard License to serve as armed security. It is unclear both if Dogson holds such a license and if he has ever worked as armed security. 

 

The CLARKE act, introduced by Democratic ex-Senator Gabriela Morales in the last session of the senate and supported by fellow Democratic ex-Senator Chloe Knight, passed a committee vote but made it no further.

 

Morales’ act set out to establish an oversight board to monitor the actions of private security firms in the state, providing a degree of accountability which at this time is not fully concrete in law.  

 

"Given that it is not illegal to hire ex-felons, Holland Private Security still stands by its statement that D. Dogson is and will not be any threat or risk to services we provide."

 

Perhaps some will wonder if it’s time for a revival of the CLARKE act or an act with a similar spirit. Either way, Holland Private Security has chosen to stick by Dogson. What impact this decision will have on the trust their clients have in them is still not clear. 

 

Denvor Dogson was unavailable for comment, but he is welcome to contact the author of this article for comment if he so wishes. (( @MotionSickness ))

 

The header image is a screenshot of the Holland Private Security website.

 

Update: Full statement from Holland Private Security can be found below.

 

Spoiler

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Edited May 18, 2021 by MotionSickness

[Florida]

Username: deep_fried_oreo

Comment: felons need work too

[bartman]

Username: todd

Comment:

 

>We should rehabilitate felons back into society

>Felon is reintegrated into society, finds meaningful employment. Gets doxxed by the media purely for existing.

 

Shameful, slanderous excuse for an article. If he isn't carrying a firearm he's not doing anything illegal, and props to Holland for giving  rehabilitated criminals a second chance.

[Mathenia]

Username: MathiniG

Comment: I can understand wanting to rebuild the society, but id hope they take better care next time in their hiring process. Never know what could slip through the cracks.

[bartman]

Just now, Mathenia said:

Username: MathiniG

Comment: I can understand wanting to rebuild the society, but id hope they take better care next time in their hiring process. Never know what could slip through the cracks.

Username: Todd

Comment: If he isn't carrying a gun who cares? Let the man work!

[Mathenia]

Just now, bartman said:

Username: Todd

Comment: If he isn't carrying a gun who cares? Let the man work!

Username: MathiniG

Comment: Nothing against the man, the company itself. Needs to improve the onboarding process to make sure this kind of info isn't "unknown". 

[bartman]

Just now, Mathenia said:

Username: MathiniG

Comment: Nothing against the man, the company itself. Needs to improve the onboarding process to make sure this kind of info isn't "unknown". 

Username: Todd
Comment: if you actually read the article you'd see the company knew he was a felon when hiring him. It was a choice. Nothing was unknown.

[Mathenia]

  

Just now, bartman said:

Username: Todd
Comment: if you actually read the article you'd see the company knew he was a felon when hiring him. It was a choice. Nothing was unknown.

Username: MathiniG

Comment: Ah, there was some conflicting info, I read the second portion "It is unclear if HPS perform criminal record checks in their recruiting policies." Further down, wasnt sure if that was post - interview knowledge or not.

[dionkoffie]

Name: S

Comment: HPS is kind of a joke. Lack of knowledge and skill and patrolling around in sports cars.

[Biscuit]

Username: billgates
Comment: