The recent article concerning the nurses fearing for their safety at St.Josephs Hospital in St.Paul, Minnesota begs the question; Why are they fearing for their safety? Is it perhaps the hospital won't let the security department do its job, or are there other underlying reasons? Poor training, or lack thereof? Do the healthcare providers not want security around for fear of being seen as "not caring." Without a doubt, healthcare providers across the board, i.e.,nurses, doctors, techs, face hostile patients from every walk of life, it is a fact they cannot avoid. A security department in any facility is only as good as the people who are hired to staff it, and also the "tools" that are given to them to ensure the safety and physical protection of all staff. It isn't a game, and should not be treated as one. There should be no shortcuts, nor hinderances on the part of security officers to let them do there jobs. The wealth of experience that many officers bring to the job is invaluable and should not be under utilized. In many instances nobody wants security around because they do not want to seem "harsh", and healthcare providers feel they can "handle it," until of course its to late. Then of course security is never there quick enough, or handled it the "right way". And ultimately you never hear about the great job security did or does, its always when things go "terribly wrong" that the fallout, concerning security, is neverending. If you have great training, you can end up with a great security department, one that is motivated, respected, and professional. Their mission statement should be direct and forward, we as security professionals(believe it or not, we can be professional,) know there are "grey areas" in any situation, let us do our jobs, allow our experience to work for us, and for the staff we have promised to protect.

Anthony J. Kapets
April 22, 2011