Who’s Responsible for Police Department and Fire Station Security?

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s tip is about building security and it’s for everyone in public safety. 

Do your part to keep your building, yourself, and your coworkers safe.

Maybe you work in a police department, a fire station, or a probation office. Maybe on a school campus. It doesn’t really matter where you work. If you are in public safety, facility security should concern YOU. In fact, you should think of facility security as YOUR responsibility. 

It seems like every day we read a news story about workplace violence. It’s all too common to hear of an angry former employee coming in wreaking havoc. Not to mention the threats we face from angry criminals seeking revenge, terrorists, and politically motivated attackers.  

In some places, it was common to allow unauthorized family and friends inside so-called “secure” areas. But times have changed.  

There are some simple steps you can take. Keep the doors locked. Don’t prop the doors open. If you see a stranger in the building, don’t ignore them or assume they’re an authorized guest. Do something. Try to figure out who they are and what they’re doing.  Learn and follow your department’s building security policy. Ensure those around you know and understand the policy too.  

If you don’t have an adequate policy, bring it to your supervisor’s attention. Discuss building security in briefing and in other appropriate meetings. 

Do your part to keep your building, yourself, and your coworkers safe.  

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham, signing off. 

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