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• Guide to Contracting Security

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AlliedBarton Company Police Officer Provides a Dedicated Police Authority for a Hospital and Its Emergency Department

Situation

When Cape Fear Valley Health System in Fayetteville, NC, became an independently-owned hospital, it needed an alternative security provider. Previously owned by Cumberland County, Cape Fear had utilized the county’s police officers for its security program; however, with the change in ownership the police department was no longer able to support the hospital’s daily needs.

Due to AlliedBarton’s reputation for high-quality service and award-winning training, the hospital chose the contract security company to fulfill their security requirements in August 2004.

Challenge

Like most emergency units in hospitals, the emergency department at Cape Fear can be a shocking and hostile environment — the risk of a dangerous situation is always present. By its very nature, an emergency department at any hospital sees a constant flow of people and many of the patients and visitors are distraught or involved in a traumatic experience.

That alone elevates the need for security to both maintain safety and present an environment that the community regards as a safe haven. The hospital staff needed to ensure that safety and security were both the perception and the reality. As such, it was important that Cape Fear take actions to raise the level of security in the department. 

Cape Fear needed an enhanced and highly visible security presence in their emergency department. While the local police are responsive to the hospital’s needs, they simply can’t maintain staff there — which was what the hospital ideally needed. The AlliedBarton security officers were highly effective, but an additional layer of security — someone with police authority — was also desired.

Solution

The State of North Carolina accommodates the need for a higher level of security through their company police licensing program. This is an excellent security solution — allowing for the authority of a police officer through a dedicated, site-specific individual.

AlliedBarton became licensed by the Sate of North Carolina as a Company Police agency. This status allows AlliedBarton to provide the same police services within a designated territorial jurisdiction as state law enforcement officers. A company police officer has all of the authority of a traditional police officer but for a specific jurisdiction. In this case, that jurisdiction is the Cape Fear Valley Health System.

In December 2006, the hospital decided to advance their emergency department’s security program with the addition of a company police officer alongside their four existing security officers, all provided by AlliedBarton. The result is the police protection the hospital needs from officers who are focused solely on Cape Fear — exactly what Cape Fear needed to properly secure the emergency department.

This highly visible police presence is dedicated full-time to Cape Fear. The priority focus and law enforcement experience has elevated the level of security. Positive feedback from the hospital staff has confirmed that the company police officer has filled a need and has been an excellent addition to the security program.

Result

Today, Cape Fear is protected by a staff of AlliedBarton security officers and an AlliedBarton company police officer — a security program the 600 bed hospital, its patients, staff and visitors trust and rely on.

“We have a common set of core values, which emphasize the importance of quality and customer service,” explained Steve Schultz, Cape Fear’s Corporate Safety and Security Director.

The transition to contract security proved to be an easy one. “It was clear that providing quality security is a priority for AlliedBarton,” Schultz continued. “They immediately helped us define our needs and took the initiative to make the partnership happen.”

As the partnership with AlliedBarton continues, Cape Fear’s safety and security issues have been handled efficiently and appropriately. The hospital has a well-planned security program and the addition of the company police officer has further enhanced those efforts.

“I would absolutely recommend AlliedBarton to any hospital facility.” said Schultz. “Society is getting more violent these days and properly securing a hospital is extremely important.”

In addition to offering company police officers in North Carolina, AlliedBarton has proven to be an asset to healthcare institutions such as Cape Fear because of its market-specific training. AlliedBarton security officers, serving Cape Fear and other healthcare sites, complete the company’s School of Healthcare Security training program. This training helps prepare the security officers for the unique challenges of the healthcare industry.

Schultz also said he appreciates that AlliedBarton’s officers are well trained, have a great image and are very professional. “That is half the battle because it makes people think twice before they do something. I can sleep at night with the confidence that all the officers are doing their job to protect the hospital.”

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