DNC 2012 Security: Will Charlotte Be Ready?

In the WSOC-TV fluff piece, oops—interview—that aired at the end of July, Charlotte's Police Chief Rodney Monroe bragged that he has "handled a couple of presidential inaugurations before" and that he "spearheaded the Million Man March," although even checking his own self-reported accomplishments in the past only show the March and involvement in one inauguration. More research time is needed here, but that's not the most important issue. Monroe also says that CMPD will be in handling 90% of the security for the DNC 2012 Convention. Citynewswatch checking some facts doesn't understand this math, but isn't sure what to root for...

See Monroe’s comments for yourself on this raw video

(warning: audio is not very good, so you’ll have to turn it up)

Then the Charlotte Observer reported on August 15^th  the U.S. Department of Homeland Security began training with CMPD officers in to prep them for DNC2012.   Chief Monroe asked Police Departments from surrounding cities of Hickory, Monroe, Concord, and Greensboro have been solicited for help.  The article states:

The Charlotte police force is expected to roughly double in size by adding an estimated 2,400 to 3,400 officers for the four-day extravaganza that begins Sept. 3, 2012. These officers will be called upon to help handle any scenario, from a terrorist attack to a disorderly delegate.

Read the Observer’s full article here.

That is roughly doubling the size of the CMPD force, which doesn’t seem to equal the 90% estimate given by Chief Monroe.

In a letter sent to a neighboring town's police department, Charlotte’s Chief Monroe asked for help from a fellow Chief: 

The letter reads in part:

As you know, Charlotte has been chosen as the host city for the Democratic National Convention which will be held September 3-6, 2012.  The convention will bring together delegates and dignitaries from all over the country to develop the Democratic Party platform and will culminate in the nomination of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate of the 2012 Election.  The federal government has designated the convention as a National Special Security Event (NSSE), a designation given to very few events.  The NSSE designation requires implementation requires implementation of extraordinary security measures which will be compounded by the attendance of the sitting President and the security needs associated with his presence.  In order to meet the security demands for a NSSE, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) will need to bring in several hundred police officers from outside agencies to augment its personnel for the week of the convention.

To that end, I am asking if your department is willing to send a squad or platoon of officers to work alongside us during this convention.  All participating officers will have sworn police powers in this jurisdiction for the duration of the convention and will be utilized in assignments that include security at delegate hotels, on delegate buses, traffic control, crowd control, and specialized assignments, including explosive units and bicycle teams.

For your participation, CMPD will reimburse your department fully at an average pay of time and a half for all hours worked and transportation costs to and from Charlotte.  Meals will be provided, at no cost, to all officers working this event and lodging will be provided, at no cost, to those officers who do not live within commuting distance of Charlotte.

This is a step up from one original plan which was promoted on WBT-TV in this story dated July 17^th, 2011 , quoting Captain Speller of Metro Security that Metro employees would undergo special security training in Colorado (no word of who would be paying for that specifically) and that it would “allow the agency to expand services to the community.”  The problem is, if there will be funding going to train security forces and it will benefit Charlotte, then why wouldn’t it go toward Police Officers?  Why would the money go to enrich a private company?

Here is the entire WBTV story: (credit www.wbtv.com)

“Local security firms preps for DNC”

Posted: Jul 17, 2011 11:24 PM EDT<em class="wnDate">Sunday, July 17, 2011 11:24 PM EST</em>Updated:

Jul 17, 2011 11:41 PM EDT<em class="wnDate">Sunday, July 17, 2011 11:41 PM EST</em>

By Kay Johnson, Reporter - bio | email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - The sound of gun fire reverberates throughout the room as bullets rip through a black and white target. Weapons in hand, trainees take commands from Captain J. Speller. "Shooters ready - Fire!"

It's not just another day at the range. It's training.

Come September 2012 thousands of law enforcement will descend on the Queen City.

Metro Special Police and Public Safety is among the agencies chosen to take part in providing security.

"We're really excited about it. We're very grateful first off to Charlotte Mecklenburg PD for even inviting us to work with them," Metro Special Police and Public Safety Captain J. Speller said.

Captain Speller says the company plans to have 20 to 25 certified specialists in place by the time the DNC gets here.

The details of what they'll be required to do are still being worked out. It could be anything from traffic and crowd control to providing private security for some high profiled individuals

"This is such a unique event...there is going to be a lot of high profiled individuals - not only from the private sector but from the political arena as well. When you have that many individuals in one location at one time there is an increased need of personal protection," Speller said. "We're working hard to make sure we can meet that demand in whatever capacity CMPD asks of us."

A handful from the agency will receive specialized training in Colorado. They'll learn everything from planning out route, to what types of vehicles to use and a tremendous amount of firearms training.

Once they bring back what they learn and train others here, they'll have a little less than a year before the spotlight shines on the Queen City.

"I don't think in Charlotte's history there will ever be a time you'll see this much security," Speller said.

Captain Speller says the training won't be lost after the DNC. He says it allows the agency to expand services to the community.

Copyright 2011 WBTV. All rights reserved.

It gets even murkier.  A Craigslist ad includes shows the Metro Security Company looking for brand new recruits to train—and for those recruits to PAY for their training, then get paid $8.50 per hour as security guards.  It causes the question, are these the people who will be protecting Charlotte residents, visitors and dignitaries?

METRO SPECIAL POLICE  CRAIGSLIST AD:

miscategorized
prohibited
spam/overpost
best of craigslist

Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any deal involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, cashier check, money order, shipping, escrow, or any promise of transaction protection/certification/guarantee. More info

Metro Special Police and Public Safety (Charlotte, NC)

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Date: 2011-06-06, 1:36PM EDT
Reply to: job-pqmvm-2424340567@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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Metro Special Police and Public Safety has opened its application process and is seeking candidates for both unarmed and armed security officers positions. The application process will open on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 and closes on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Candidates with current North Carolina PPSB Unarmed and Armed certification are needed for multiple part-time and full-time assignments. Positions include unarmed security, armed security, armed patrol and armed SERT Team assignments. Candidates must have a clean criminal background check, have a valid driver's license with good driving record, have reliable transportation, be willing to travel when needed, submit to drug testing, have good written and oral skills, and have a positive attitude. PPSB Certification, firearms training and/or certification, previous military, fire-resecue, security and/or law enforcement experience is a plus. Training is available for candidates needing certification (see below). We will train the right candidates! Compensation dependent upon experience. Positions start at $8.50/hr and go up depending on assignment and experience.

Metro Public Safety Training Academy- For individuals that do not currently have their PPSB unarmed/armed certification and wish to attend class to obtain their certification, please call Metro Special Police at 704-364-1664 and ask for Lt. Speller in the Training Division for more information on the Basic Security Training Academy (BSTA). The BSTA is the only certification course of its kind in the Charlotte region. Get trained faster and start earning sooner! The BSTA is a 5-day course that trains candidates to receive their PPSB certification as an unarmed and armed security officer. Candidates who complete the course will be given preference for employment with Metro Special Police and Public Safety. The next BSTA is secheduled for June 13-17, 2011 and runs each day from 9AM to 5PM. BSTA training fee is $349. Call today to reserve a seat. Class size is limited

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Compensation: $8.50 and up depending on assignment
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 2424340567

Message from Metro Special Police & Public Safety and Interactive Services

• Building partnerships to prevent the nex

Metro special police & security services offers privatized LAW enforcement and security services. The Company is a certified special police agency governed by the north carolina department of justice chapter 74E of the Company police ACT. Its special police officers MET ALL the requirements of the north carolina criminal justice education and training standards commission. AS a sworn and certified special police agency. The Company is enabled to provide contracted police services to its clients. This makes its agency unique in providing customers with officers certified with arrest powers. Investigative authority and other skilled police services. Its officers' primary duties include the safety. Security and preservation of life and property through ANY lawful means necessary. Services include alarm response. Business watch. Community policing. Investigations. ONSITE security. Patrol services and specialized services. Metro special police & security services is located in charlotte. N. C.

Well, not to worry too much …. No matter what Rodney Monroe says, the real Secret Service and  Homeland Security who are actually paying attention were “aware” of the unusual dealings pointed out above, and made it clear with both tone and words that Metro Security would not in any way be involved directly with protection of delegates.  However, Citynewswatch would still like to know if this is the type of security we can expect for the rest of the City of Charlotte during this very important week—not the details.  Details should be left up to the experts (the appropriate Federal agencies we can all hope will really be in charge).

Citynewswatch would also like to know if the government is paying a private company to profit instead of training and paying our police officers.  How the heck did Captain Speller come to make that announcement to begin with?  What was the Colorado training mentioned and is that related to other CMPD trips taken in the past?   We deserve to have CMPD Officers trained for these positions with any public money that will be spent and going toward enriching the community, not private security company employees who have to pay for their own training.  Let’s clear this up.