IFPO Certification

Securing the Best:
Raising the Bar with IFPO Certification

By Dan Mendelson

What’s in a name?  Everything, if your mission is to raise the branding profile of the security industry.

Guards are called protection officers by the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO), and for good reason.  The term guard does little to command respect or convey professionalism to the public who encounter them on a daily basis.

“There’s a shadow cast upon the whole industry due to the misconception surrounding guards,” Sandi Davies of the IFPO said.  “In truth, these hard-working, highly trained men and women are our first responders who have a wide range of skills.”

The IFPO’s main weapons in the fight against the stereotype are training and education, tools that have made it a leading security educational institution and an authoritative voice in the field. The not-for-profit membership organization has provided professional development opportunities to many of the country’s protection officers, with over 80,000 guards gaining some type of certification through IFPO programs.  These officers represent a mix of proprietary and contract officers working in industries that include hospitals, campuses, nuclear facilities, cultural properties and gaming.  Businesses that employ what is known as Certified Protection Officers (CPO) are diverse:  Dow Chemical, AFLAC, American Red Cross, Ralph Lauren, Ohio State University and the United States Marine Corps have all hired officers who went through the rigors of IFPO certification programs.

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Minneapolis SWAT Team to Get New Uniforms to Change ‘Militarized’ Perception

The Minneapolis Police Department’s SWAT team is getting new uniforms to minimize the perception of a “militarized” look.

The police department said they will not eliminate any necessary equipment but will just change the color from military green to dark navy blue, which the department says is more consistent with traditional police uniform and equipment colors.

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Navy uniform changes will accommodate bigger, bulkier sailors

Although the size of the force has gotten smaller over the past two decades, the size of individual sailors has grown.

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Sandi Davies
Executive Director, IFPO

Where she came from:

Began her career in 1980 with a contract security agency. Hired by IFPO in 1988; named Executive Director 1992

Developer of leading training materials:

Lead developer of CPO training curriculum, now in its 8th edition. Recently completed 4th edition of the security supervision and management curriculum. Authoring a book about the security industry as a career path for women.

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Profile:
International Foundation for
Protection Officers (IFPO)

Founded
In 1988 by Ron Minion

Headquartered
In Florida, staff of 4. Non-profit with 501(c)(3) status.

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New England Security EXPO 2016
Boston Chapter’s New England Security EXPO 2016 promises to be one of the largest tradeshow and educational programs in our chapter’s history. With more than 50 years of experience, the Boston Chapter continues to provide the highest quality of educational programs and offers the most leading edge exhibitors. You don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity.
When: April 14, 2016
Where: Boston, MA

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ASIS 26th New York City Security Conference and Expo
Join more than 2,200 security and law enforcement professionals for the 26th ASIS Security Conference and Expo. Collaborate with peers, examine the latest trends from proven experts, and discover the innovative products and services needed to ensure the safety and security of your people and property.
When: April 27-28, 2016
Where: New York City, NY

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Contact Dan Mendelson:
800-682-1606 x266
dan@unitexdirect.com
8226 Goldie Street
Walled Lake, MI 48390