Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Bill giving guards access to databases criticized

CARSON CITY -- Law enforcement officials blasted a bill Tuesday that would allow private security officers to secure information from confidential criminal history and driving record databases.

Instead of giving security officers such data, state Public Safety Director George Togliatti said, the private guards should continue to call for police assistance when they have concerns about patrons.

Dispatchers would be bombarded with requests for information if security officers were given access to records in the state criminal history repository or at the Department of Motor Vehicles, Togliatti added.

Others told the Senate Judiciary Committee they have doubts about the training and backgrounds of security officers and the lack of limits in the bill.

Under Senate Bill 308, not only security officers who are shift supervisors in resort hotels, but those who work at motels, inns, motor courts and any hotel could be given access to database information now restricted to police. DMV officials said they might be liable if the private security officer used the information to commit crimes.

Tom Donovan, president of the Las Vegas Security Chiefs Association, maintained it was vital for security officers to gain quick access to confidential information in a time when terrorists are looking for new places to attack.

Security officers receive better training today, Donovan said, and they must be given more latitude to perform their jobs. His organization has 8,000 members, he said.