Blackwater Worldwide Hurricane Gustav LEO, Armed Security gig

[The91Bravo]

got this email from a friend from Blackwater Worldwide (Formerly BlackwaterUSA)

If interested, let them know:





Security for Hurricane Gustav

Blackwater is compiling a list of qualified security personnel for possible deployment into areas affected by Hurricane Gustav.
Applicants must meet all items listed under the respective Officer posting and be US citizens. Contract length is TBD.

Law Enforcement Officers (all criteria must apply)

1. Current sworn [may be full time, part time or reserve]
2. With arrest powers
3. Armed status (must indicate Armed and/or Semi Auto. Revolver only not accepted)
expiration must be greater than 60 days out
4. Departmental credentials (not just a badge)
Armed Security Officers (all criteria must apply)

Only from the following states: OR, WA, CA, NV, NM, AZ, TX, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, IL, OK

1. Current/active/licensed/registered armed security officer
2. All training verification [unarmed and armed certificates of completion]
3. Current state issued face card indicting armed status [expiration must be greater than 60 days out]
Applicants will be required to provide an electronic copy of the above required credentials/documents, recent photo within
the last six months with response to this AD prior to consideration for deployment.

Personnel who meet the above qualifications and are interested, please send resumes and files to: 25505@blackwaterusa2.hrmdirect .com

[MacLean]

I sent a resume out of curiosity.

[Jenna]

Only from the following states: OR, WA, CA, NV, NM, AZ, TX, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, IL, OK

Just wondering--why only from these states?

[The91Bravo]

J,

More than likely these states have a reciprocity agreement, so that the armed security guards from those states can enter a gulf coast state and still perform their duties.

just guessing

[MacLean]

Yup, reciprocity.

[2 Blue 4 U]

I am surprised they are not accepting applications from retirees, in reality how many active members law enforcement can get away from their own department to work for a contractor.

[MacLean]

I am surprised they are not accepting applications from retirees, in reality how many active members law enforcement can get away from their own department to work for a contractor.

A lot, if Katrina was any indication.

But you're right, retirees should be considered.

[2 Blue 4 U]

A lot, if Katrina was any indication.

But you're right, retirees should be considered.

NYPD sent down a contigency of workers and equipment to help out after Katrina, all on the department's payroll. I assumed alot of the outside P.D's also sent down members to assist on their own payroll too, feds may have kicked in to help pay some of the costs.

After Katrina the feds (FEMA) coordinated things better and have created teams with in the department to be deployed when needed. They have received training from the feds thru out the year.

Many departments are short staffed these days and it is hard to get a day off during normal circumstances. I guess that may not be the case every where. If Blackwater or anynother gov't contractor can't recruit enough to fill vacancies their next step would be retirees. NYPD started a volunteer program for retirees who are willing and able to work if ever needed for a mobilization. Sept 11th, severak retirees came to the station house to volunteer, the department had not set policy back then on how to deploy them, had them go to the boros on standby.

[MacLean]

I got a response from the recruiter indicating I would be screened and responded two in two weeks.

Seems a little slow for the type of work requested, but hey.

[Xiphos]

I would prefer going with my department "on duty" but guessing from the lack of interest upstairs during Katrina it ain't happening now. I emailed Blackwater so we'll see what happens.

[AlDeputy]

Only from the following states: OR, WA, CA, NV, NM, AZ, TX, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, IL, OK

I don't see Alabama on there, my agecy sent down a team to help out during Katrina.

[MacLean]

I don't see Alabama on there, my agecy sent down a team to help out during Katrina.

That list of States is only for security guards so their licenses are valid.

No such limit applies to LEOs.

[Jks9199]

I would prefer going with my department "on duty" but guessing from the lack of interest upstairs during Katrina it ain't happening now. I emailed Blackwater so we'll see what happens.

Remember -- for the agency, there are often a lot of issues involved in sending someone several states away to help out during an emergency. Think about how complicated it can be just to send someone over the state line or to the next county...

To do it officially, you'd need mutual aid agreements, enough resources to spare them since they'd be many hours away, budget headaches for the overtime and equipment replacement (lots of stuff that went into Katrina was destroyed...), and other things I haven't thought of.

I think wanting to help is commendable. I think helping in any way you can is even better. But don't tar & feather your bosses for realizing that as great as it'd be to send someone -- the logistics don't support it.

[TXCharlie]

Yup, reciprocity.

Hmmm... Texas Reserves aren't allowed to work off-duty security as police officers in Texas, unless all of the pay goes toward department expenses (or they have a separate Security license, which I'm sure Blackwater could apply for, but it takes weeks to get a State comission to carry a gun as an armed security officer).

I would assume that under reciprocity, Texas laws would apply?

[Xiphos]

But don't tar & feather your bosses for realizing that as great as it'd be to send someone -- the logistics don't support it.

Valid points but lots of other agencies sent people and managed, even small ones. My agency is still considered "large" albeit at the bottom of that scale.

We could have done something if we wanted to.

[MacLean]

Hmmm... Texas Reserves aren't allowed to work off-duty security as police officers in Texas, unless all of the pay goes toward department expenses (or they have a separate Security license, which I'm sure Blackwater could apply for, but it takes weeks to get a State comission to carry a gun as an armed security officer).

I would assume that under reciprocity, Texas laws would apply?

As an LEO, you would not be working as a security guard.

I'm not at all familiar with any Texas laws, so other than that I have no idea.

[nsb22]

Hmm, already had two weeks of for the floods, wonder if I can get more time off for this.

If we weren't so short staffed right now, I bet i could. We actually had to shuffle some day people to nights.

[mack]

After Katrina the department I worked for asked for volunteers to man the jails so that officers there could get some time off to go home and see to their families. Although most of us signed up, only a couple from each shift could go due to our own staffing problems.

[luckyme]

I got a response from the recruiter indicating I would be screened and responded two in two weeks.

Seems a little slow for the type of work requested, but hey.

The will probably be using it again for Ike, it's looking bad.

[armsmaster270]

Too bad I'm old, retired and Broke Dick.