Working the Doors

SAFETY PRODUCT AND TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR FRONT-LINE SECURITY OPERATIVES IS LAUNCHED

The company that brought us the first accredited and insured Arrest and Plastic Restraint (handcuffing) training programme has this month launched another in its series of Security Operative Safety (SOS) courses.
Former police officer Andy Walker, managing director of Feds Training, has worked closely with the industry's skills and standards setting body Skills for Security and Midlands-based Redweb Security to launch the innovative 'Offender I.D. Spray' training programme.This new belt-worn canister contains a highly conspicuous i-powder spray that marks offenders with a bright red, indelible bio-synthetic man-made DNA code, which when activated forensically links the offender to the exact time and place of the offence, ensuring conviction in court.Andy Walker says, "The 'Offender I.D Spray' is the first nationally accredited system for marking criminals at the scene, enabling them to be identified either close to the scene or later, forensically proving that they were there at the time of the offence. Each individual canister contains an individual batch of the new redweb i-powder (intelligent power), which when deployed at the scene of a crime marks the suspect with a visible red dye, ultra violet traces and a unique DNA code. This provides individual, secure, registered evidence to the police in the event of a serious crime being committed in front of or against a security operative. The use of this new equipment will also lead to a reduction in crime through a genuine deterrent of gaining convictions in court".Once a security operative such as a security officer, store detective, door supervisor, CVIT operative or close protection officer has attended and passed the four hour training and registration programme, he is issued with his own personal 'Offender I.D. Spray' canister and belt pouch. The bar code identifying the individual DNA code in each canister is then scanned into the national Redweb Security database and held until the information is requested by the police following an activation of the equipment.

First of all it marks criminals with a highly visible red dye, increasing the chances of the suspect being caught by Police if he/she decamps the scene. Secondly, the ultra-violet element of the dye becomes stronger as the dye fades and washes out, identifying the offender at a Police station with a UV lamp.
Thirdly, the unique registered DNA in the i-powder can be swabbed from the suspect by the Police, and analysed and compared to the 'Offender I.D. Spray' database, providing solid evidence to gain a conviction. DNA traces can be swabbed for anything up to 2 weeks following the offence or incident.

On a more practical basis, and how it is explained on the 4-hour training programme, is the 'Offender I.D. Spray' system helps front-line security operatives to:

DETER - DEFEND - DETECT

This means that once the product and what it does is known, it will firstly deter potential criminals from offending where this system is in operation; secondly it will help defend security operatives from attack during a violent incident; and thirdly it will if activated assist the police to detect the offender through a highly visible marker close to the scene and a sound forensic identifier for evidential purposes.

The product is perfectly legal to carry and to use because the i-powder in the canister contains a totally non-toxic, highly visible red forensic dye. There is nothing in it to harm the offender. Because it causes no physical harm or permanent damage to property it is not classed as a prohibited article under Section 5 (1) (b) of the Firearms Act of 1968.
Furthermore, the i-powder contained in the canister has been accredited by the Police initiative called 'Secured by Design', and has been given a clear bill of health having been fully tested for compliance and safety.

Evidentially-
The spray incorporates bio-synthetic DNA. Each unique DNA code is assigned to an individual canister, which is issued to a specific user, whose details are kept on a secure database. If a person is arrested following a serious crime, a sample is taken from the suspect and analysed and compared to the database sample, providing an irrefutable link between the suspect and the crime scene or offence. Because of this, canisters work one one-use-only basis.

The uniquely registered canisters are only issued to individuals on completion of the 4-hour training course. On the course users are taught about the safe, legal and practical use of the 'Offender I.D. Spray' in self defence and crime prevention situations.
This new training, recently accredited by Skills for Security, is specifically aimed at door supervisors, security officers, store detectives, CVIT operatives, event stewards, close protection officers, community wardens and Police Community Support Officers.

- in fact, anyone who may have to deal with a serious crime or defend themselves in the course of their duties.

The 'Offender I.D. Spray' can be used legally in violent confrontations (Common Law rules of self defence) or to prevent crimes (Sec.3 Criminal Law Act 1967). Here are just a couple of examples of when the product could be used by security staff.

Store detective observes shoplifter stealing goods from shop. Approaches shoplifter to arrest him as he attempts to leave without paying. Shoplifter pulls dirty needle from pocket and threatens to stab store detective with if he comes any closer. Store detective activates his 'Offender I.D. Spray' at shoplifter, who runs off. Description circulated to police, who apprehend shoplifter four streets away, seeing him covered in red dye and running away from the scene.

SCENARIO 2
Uniformed security officer patrolling site on his own at 3am, when he disturbs two burglars carrying crow bars coming out of one of the factories he is guarding. Sprays suspects as they run away. Acting on information the Police execute search warrants at the suspects houses a week later. Knowing that the 'Offender I.D. Spray' was activated at the scene they pass a UV lamp over the suspects, and find traces on their faces and hands. Whilst in custody DNA swabs are taken, which later match the control sample taken from the Redweb 'Offender I.D. Spray' database using the security officer's DNA bar code, securing convictions in court.

A door supervisor working at the door of a night club searches a customer trying to get in and finds a quantity of what he believes to be Class A controlled drugs. As the doorman attempts to arrest the customer, the customer pulls out a 6" bowie knife, threatening the doorman to hands the confiscated drugs back. The doormen sprays the offender in the face, temporarily hindering his vision. As the offender tries to wipe the I-powder from his face the doorman takes the offender to the ground, disarms him and detains him pending the arrival of police.

The 4-hour training session leads to Skills for Security accreditation for registration to use the hand-held ' Offender I.D. Spray'.
Training sessions can be held in classroom type environments, although some room will be required for the practical instruction.

Aims:
To teach delegates about the practical use of the 'Offender I.D Spray' in self defence and crime prevention incidents.

understand how the product works to identify offenders;explain the relevant laws regarding its use;identify the basic component parts of the hand-held device;show a practical understanding of how to use the device in stressful situations;
understand the importance of proper justification and reporting.

This session will use a mixture of presentation techniques including lectures, Powerpoint presentations, practical demonstrations and question and answer sessions.

Introduction to the productHow the product works (origins, the i-powder, partnerships, evidence etc)Relevant laws in relation to the use of the productThe equipment and its component partsWhat to do after activationEvidence recovery by the authoritiesReporting use and replacement the used equipmentPractical demonstrations
Paperwork, accreditation and registration

This new programme shows a unique partnership between two completely separate companies working in different areas of the security business sector. The physical product itself, namely the canister containing the i-powder, is produced by Redweb Security in Tamworth. The 'Offender I.D. Spray' training course, materials and user protocols were designed and accredited through Feds Training. The two companies originally met at the IFSEC conference just over a year ago.

Andy Walker says, "I saw straight away that the team at Redweb had a terrific product; they just weren't quite sure what to do with it or who to market it to. I had been looking for something to protect front-line security operatives that was safe, reliable, legal and evidentially sound. We sat down together and decided that we would produce a properly accredited training programme for the product, and only issue the equipment to security personnel who had undertake the training. We believe that we now have an extremely useful piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) for security staff, and we look forward to working with forward thinking owners and directors of security companies that recognise the need to protect their staff".

Feds Training are now looking to work with national security providers to pilot the product across the whole of the security sector. You can contact Andy Walker at www.fedstraining.co.uk or on Tel: 07050-605750.