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4. Safety Equipment Endorsement - Loss
Prevention Officers APPROBATION DU
MATÉRIEL DE SÉCURITÉ – AGENTS DE PRÉVENTION DES PERTES |
Committee Recommendation AS AMENDED
That Council endorse a call on the Province to support improved measures for the protection of Security Guards such as requiring their employers to make available to Security Guards the use of protective garments such as concealed slash-proof vests.
RECOMMANDATION MODIFIÉE DU COMITÉ
Que le Conseil appuye une demande
faite au gouvernement provincial d’adopter des mesures améliorées visant à
protéger les agents de sécurité, qui exigent des employeurs de
fournir des vêtements protecteurs aux agents de sécurité, tels que des
vestes dissimulées contre les armes blanches.
Documentation
1. Community and Protective Services
Coordinator’s report dated 13 February 2009 (ACS2009-CCS-CPS-0004).
2. Extract of Draft Minute, 9 March 2009.
Community and
Protective Services Committee
Comité des services communautaires et de protection
13 February 2009 / le 13 février
2009
SUBJECT:
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OBJET :
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APPROBATION DU MATÉRIEL DE SÉCURITÉ – AGENTS DE PRÉVENTION DES PERTES |
That Community & Protective Service Committee recommend that Council endorse a call on the Province to support improved measures for the protection of Loss Prevention Officers such as requiring large retailers to make available to Loss Prevention Officers the use of protective garments such as concealed slash-proof vests.
Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande au Conseil d’appuyer une demande faite au gouvernement provincial d’adopter des mesures améliorées visant à protéger les agents de prévention des pertes, qui exigent des gros vendeurs au détail de fournir des vêtements protecteurs aux agents de prévention des pertes, tels que des vestes contre les armes blanches.
WHEREAS Loss
Prevention Officers from large area retail stores have expressed concern
respecting an increasing number of shoplifters carrying knives and other sharp
items as weapons,
AND WHERAS some
retailers are not investing in appropriate protective clothing to safeguard
Loss Prevention Officers against potential attacks from shoplifters,
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that Committee and Council endorse a call on the Province to support
improved measures for the protection of Loss Prevention Officers such as
requiring large retailers to make available to Loss Prevention Officers the use
of protective garments such as concealed slash-proof vests
City Operations
Staff is supportive of the recommendation to ensure the safety of Loss Prevention Officers. All Loss Prevention Officers are licensed with appropriate training pursuant to the Private Investigator and Security Guard Act and Regulations.
There are no legal and/or risk implications associated with this report.
N/A
DISPOSITION
Staff from the City Manager’s Office, Legislative Services, will advise the appropriate Provincial Ministry of the disposition of this item by City Council.
Safety Equipment Endorsement - Loss Prevention Officers
APPROBATION DU MATÉRIEL DE SÉCURITÉ – AGENTS DE
PRÉVENTION DES PERTES
ACS2009-CCS-CPS-0004 CITY
WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE
Councillor Chiarelli introduced the delegation present to speak to the report. He stated that a number of loss prevention officers have been working with his office over the past year trying to advance their proposal due to the changing conditions in the stores. They are asking the Province to help them become more safe in their day to day jobs.
Mr. Alex Lewis and Mr. Mark Hargreaves, Loss Prevention Officers, gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee and their speaking notes is held on file with the City Clerk’s office. Their main purpose presenting to the Committee is to educate and open some eyes to the increasingly dangerous fields of Security and Loss Prevention. They are asking the City for its assistance in strengthening their voice. They stated that they are unnecessarily under protected and stand vulnerable to the inherent dangers that accompany them in protecting property and corporation assets alike. They are asking the Committee and Council to table a motion directing the province to make changes in the "Private Security and Investigation Services Act, 2005" and more specifically Regulation 362/07 of the Act that protective vests be included in the uniform section.
They stated that Security Guards out number police 15 to 1 in Ontario and said that there will never be enough Police to replace these guards. They work very closely with the Police across the province and support the police because they are 100% public servants and the police support them. In the past 20 years, according to a Statistics Canada Report, shootings and stabbings have accounted for about one third of all homicides and prior to 1985, shootings were much more common than stabbings. They are asking for the City’s support in this protection.
Councillor Chiarelli asked for further clarification on the people they are apprehending the kind of arms that are now being used. Mr. Lewis stated that more and more instances of people they are coming into contact with are carrying weapons of opportunity such as knives and even needles. Alex himself has been injured due to punches.
Councillor Leadman inquired if the act itself requesting this protection had been drafted yet. Mr. Lewis stated that the act itself comes into full effect on August 23, 2009 but without the safety vest provision. Mr. Hargreaves also mentioned that they are not representing any organization just as concerned workers in the field.
Councillor Bédard commented that as person responsible for security for the Franco Ontario festival over the years, he has noticed a marked difference over the years in dealing with troublesome people and the need for added protection for security personnel. Mr. Lewis in replying to colour of uniforms stated that the code seems to state that as long as they don’t resemble police in their uniforms and vehicles. The act does not forbid the guards from wearing vests but the costs should be born by the employer since the cost can be high and out of reach for such low paying jobs.
Councillor Feltmate inquired whom the act applied to. Mr. Lewis responded by saying that the act applied to private investigators and security guards and as loss prevention officers they are considered security guards.
Councillor Feltmate wanted confirmation from staff if the City’s staff such as by-law, or OC Transpo Constables had any protective wear. Mr. Steve Kanellakos stated that By-law officers do not wear vests, however, the OC Transpo constables do wear vests as well as police of course. He also believed that the security personnel with Ottawa Community Housing are provided with vests as well.
Councillor Leadman asked if there were occasions when a retailer would ask that their security personnel not to wear vests. Mr. Lewis stated that he was not aware of any circumstances when this would be requested since it would be a big liability on them should they such and their employee got injured. He said that slash resistant vests are light and be easily concealed under shirts and jackets.
Councillor Qadri inquired if they knew if any retailers provided vests. Mr. Lewis responded by saying that he was aware that the employees at HBC at Rideau get vests but those at St. Laurent or Bayshore may not get them.
Councillor Chiarelli asked the Committee to approve the recommendation before them. He has seen tapes where very violent individuals have confronted the security personnel. These employees go to work every day with the risk of something happening or being injured by those they apprehend.
Councillor Bédard suggested amending the recommendation.
Moved by Councillor Bédard
That the recommendation wording be changed from “loss prevention
officers” to “Security Guards” and “large retailers” to “their employers”.
CARRIED
That
Community and Protective Service Committee recommend that Council endorse a
call on the Province to support improved measures for the protection of Security
Guards such as requiring their employers to make available to Security
Guards the use of protective garments such as concealed slash-proof vests.
CARRIED
as amended