NCJ Number
113306
Journal
Security Management Volume: 32 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 27-32
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
As director of the security at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, John Fleming is responsible for everything from public relations to safety awareness, investigation, and personnel and equipment management.
Abstract
Security at the hotel is unobtrusive, and since liability is a major problem, preventive. A training program for all employees is designed to increase safety awareness and decrease the frequency and severity of accidents. The safety program includes a committee that evaluates the program and initiates new activities to increase its effectiveness, a monthly safety meeting, and ongoing safety awareness activities. Security is facilitated by the hotel's split-level lobby, which presents unauthorized access to guest areas. Other security measures include frequent patrols, physical inspections, 11 closed-circuit television cameras, and a key control system using interchangeable-core locks. Guests can keep their valuables in vaults that are operated under procedures similar to those used for bank safety deposit boxes. To hire the best possible employees, the hotel belongs to Stores Mutual Association of Illinois/Wisconsin, Inc., a private corporation that serves as a clearinghouse on dishonest employees. In addition, prospective employees undergo a thorough interview process. Once hired, the employee goes through a 60-day probationary period during which performance is monitored with a training checklist to ensure that only the most qualified people are hired.