Coors Brews Security Success

• NCJ Number: 140840
• Journal: Security Management Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1993) Pages: 48-53
• Author(s): C Wilson
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This article describes the structure and operations of the Coors business network, whose major business is the Coors Brewing Company in Golden (Colorado).

Abstract

In addition to its major brewing business, the Coors business network includes subsidiary companies that manufacture various products in countries throughout the world. The Coors security network encompasses all these operations. For the brewery facilities, which stretch for 5 miles, there are no guard posts, checkpoints, or gates. Security measures include key issuance, access control, crime scene investigations, and hazardous material response. The primary access controls are card readers for building access at night and on weekends, as well as hundreds of alarms. All employee and company vehicles have identification stickers. The annual security budget is $2.1 million, which includes funding for a staff of 35. The staff is composed of uniformed, armed patrol officers; four communication technicians; four investigators; and four security representatives, who have become the cornerstone of the security program. The security-representative program was started in 1990 to achieve greater employee participation in security activities. Security representatives must have at least 6 years of law enforcement or security experience. After an initial 90-day orientation training program, there is ongoing training. Security representatives are responsible for improving employee security awareness and education. They conduct security seminars for employees and respond to individual employee security concerns, not only when it involves the company but also employees' personal and family security away from the plant. Each security representative also has a specialty that serves an important purpose in the overall security scheme. The primary security problems in order of frequency are employee drug use, white-collar crime, and employee petty theft. These problems are addressed primarily through proactive employee educational programs and the encouragement of employee reporting of suspicious behavior or observed crimes.