Security Sales & Integration October 2021 - 14

FIRE & INTRUSION
▶ Recent turmoil is taking its toll on an
audience that is critically important to
the electronic security industry. " Serving
as a chief of police has always been an
incredibly difficult role, " says Ron Holifield
of Chief Executive Office of Strategic
Government Resources (SGR), a leading
search firm acting on behalf of agencies
seeking new police chiefs. " The convergence
of legislative limits on a chief's ability
to remove bad apples, social media fanning
the flames of hate and hatefulness,
increasingly partisan city councils who
thrive on conflict, and the corresponding
disconnect from basic facts and truth has
made it an almost indescribable challenge.
As a result, we are seeing a growing number
of chiefs who are retiring earlier than
they would have otherwise. "
Why is this an issue for our industry?
Because police administrators play
a significant role in determining policies
regarding licensing and response to electronic
security systems.
" Chiefs and senior police administrators
who are familiar with the industry's
Model Ordinance have led the way in
making it a best practice and accepted
standard for most communities that want
to regulate alarms, " says Stan Martin, executive
director for the Security Industry
Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and a member
of the SSI Industry Hall of Fame. " This
amount of turnover requires more effort
on the part of SIAC and our industry on
a local level to promote and educate leaders
on the Model Ordinance. "
SIAC is active at the local, state, and regional
level but that leaves myriad opportunities
for local electronic security dealers
to play a role in developing stronger relationships
with law enforcement leaders.
" With approximately 18,000 public
safety agencies nationwide there are multiple
opportunities to get involved, " says
Glen Mowrey, SIAC law enforcement
liaison and retired deputy chief with the
14
CONTROL
DETECTION NOTIFICATION
11 Ways to Win Over Law Enforcement
by David S. Margulies
alarm users awareness class and/or
crime prevention program
▶ Sponsor activities/events at state associations
or local police associations
▶ Invite police chiefs, fire chiefs, city
and/or county managers, mayors to
make welcoming remarks at opening
ceremonies of annual conferences;
invite to closing banquet
With approximately
18,000 public safety
agencies nationwide
there are multiple
opportunities to get
involved.
- Glen Mowrey, SIAC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
His suggestions include:
▶ Send condolences to police and
fire departments for fallen officers/
firefighters
▶ Send congratulations cards/notes
to newly appointed police and fire
chiefs
▶ Send congratulations cards/notes
to newly appointed city and county
managers
▶ Have active membership in civil/
service clubs (most chiefs and managers
are active club members)
▶ Invite chiefs and command staff and
city and county managers to industry
association's meeting/events/golf
outings and other functions
▶ Join state associations of chiefs of
police (SACOP), state sheriffs' associations
or fire marshals' associations
as an associate or business member
▶ Offer to instruct a law enforcement
Security Sales & Integration OCTOBER 2021
▶ Continue with the industry association's
scholarship programs for
children of law enforcement officers/
firefighters
▶ Consider providing scholarship for
law enforcement officers/firefighters
to attend executive development
education programs
" These are the things that go a long way
in developing relationships with public
safety agencies that develop into strong
partnerships, " says Mowrey. " It is an offensive
strategy and not a defensive one. "
" None of these activities are necessarily
very time consuming, " notes Martin.
" Outreach and sponsorships are a logical
part of a company's marketing program
and often sponsorship are welcome at levels
that are affordable and require only a
modest investment. People naturally like
to work with those they know and trust.
If an issue involving the industry evolves
it is likely law enforcement leaders who
know someone in the industry will reach
out for advice. "
Martin further believes that with the
huge turnover in law enforcement, it is
more important than ever for our industry
to continue its outreach on the local,
state and national level. " SIAC is a resource
for local companies or associations
that would like additional input or assistance, "
he concludes.
DAVID MARGULIES is President &
CEO of Margulies Communications
Group.
securitysales.com
FRACTALPICTURES/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
http://www.securitysales.com
Security Sales & Integration October 2021

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