WHEREAS:

Many states and municipalities as well as the federal government are engaging in the subcontracting of law enforcement duties and functions to private security companies in order to reduce costs; and

WHEREAS:

Such subcontracting has had an adverse impact upon the employment conditions of police officers and other law enforcement employees as well as law enforcement itself; and

WHEREAS:

There are now over 1.5 million persons providing private security in the United States which is almost three times the number of sworn law enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS:

Legislation was introduced in the 103rd Congress by Congressman Martinez of California which would have required the states to enact laws regulating private security services; and

WHEREAS:

Such state laws would have had to "preempt all local ordinances regulating private security services provided by security officers"; and

WHEREAS:

The training requirements for private security officers contained in previous legislation was minimal and of no usefulness whatsoever; and

WHEREAS:

The regulation of private security should be undertaken solely on a state or local level.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the AFSCME International goes on record to indicate that it will continue to monitor this issue and will aggressively oppose any legislation that would attempt to supplant professional public police officers with private security guards.

SUBMITTED BY:

Gary Waterhouse, President and Delegate
Curtis Searle, Secretary
AFSCME Council 15
Connecticut