UCA in Business

UCA was formed in 1994 with a focused mission to provide quality consulting, investigations, expert witness testimony, training and instruction in law enforcement and security related matters.

There is little question that the concept of security has had different meanings to individuals in the past, perhaps varying from the personal satisfaction of knowing that in our home, community, or country we were reasonably secure to observing others in remote locations who were less fortunate as victims of violent criminal acts or terrorist attacks. The tragic events of 9-11 and the burgeoning rate of crime have, however, forever altered our interpretation of society’s perception of security on every level. Predators, whose intent may extend from simple assaults to kidnappings, are increasingly more likely. Homeowners are wary of their surroundings, communities are the subject of crime waves, employers are open to workplace violence, and corporations are victims of fraud. Citizens are conscious of the terrorism threat at home, work, or while traveling on a cruise liner or flying. Although definitions may vary, it is certainly safe to say that in today’s world, a criminal act perpetrated on some may be an act of terrorism to others.

With the turn of the century, a more sophisticated group of criminals has become a reality on every level of our society, some of whom have become adept students of our rapidly increasing electronic and technological revolution. This criminal element has the dubious distinction of being perhaps the latest chapter in a criminal lexicon whose ranks range from the vagrant bent on stealing enough for another meal, the stalker who will look for the opportunity to rape or kidnap, the cunning “cat” burglar, the fraud and identity thief, to the atrocities committed by the cruise ship pirate to the intimidation and destruction of the ideological terrorist. Who can deny that since the advent of domestic terrorism, such as the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma to the transnational terrorist activities involving the destruction in New York City and the Pentagon, our perception of security from a personal and corporate level has significantly changed? Indeed, today’s risk analysis and security site threat assessment will encompass a broad spectrum of criminal acts involving many factors with the potential for terrorists’ incidents at the extreme end of a constantly growing scale.

It is difficult to discover a part of our society that does not require some level of security. Every aspect of our daily lives demands an increased degree of awareness regarding the locality in which we live, work, and play. The incidence of ever increasing criminal activity, assaults, kidnappings, corporate extortion, fraud, thefts, burglaries, and terrorism results in corporations, shopping malls, cruise lines, governments, gated communities, and the individual asking the valid questions; are my employees and customers, residents, and homes reasonably safe? Can my employees work in what could logically be expected to be safe surroundings? Does the customer or client have a reasonable expectation of being in a safe environment? Is the security that serves my condominium, business, office complex, school, or government, adequately staffed and trained? Are they capable of competently handling an emergency, a breach in security, a heart attract, a fire, a potential kidnapping? Are the electronic and hi-tech security “tools” available for proper interaction with its human counterpart?

Society can no longer afford the security officer whose minimal duties and expectations perhaps required that he smile and remember important names. The 21st Century Security Officer must be motivated, well trained, and capable of addressing any challenge competently.

In an effort to complement law enforcement, the elements of the ever developing security industry, both proprietary and private, are physically evident in our government buildings and sites, cruise lines, airports, private businesses, casinos, shopping malls, gated communities, and condominiums, interacting with almost every aspect of our lives. It is simply a fact of life that the proliferation of physical and electronic security subsequent to the tragic events of 9-11 is evident to an ever increasing degree in every aspect of our lives.

However, after security measures have been installed, who insures adequate preparedness, state of the art training, and continued awareness of changing security need? Who insures that employees are functioning at an acceptable level, that suitable management procedures are being utilized, that electronic technology meets or exceeds current standards, that lighting standards are acceptable? Are periodic site examinations conducted and if so by whom? Are recommendations made which will assist in insuring that these relevant and very valid questions are addressed? Or, are they frequently unanswered or left to the incumbent contract or proprietary security provider to determine?

How does the traveler know which countries are safe for business or leisure trips? Is the executive safe while traveling? Is the company aware of the dangers of workplace violence, fraud, theft, and extortion? Are there plans in place for natural and man made disasters? UCA consultants and professional operatives can competently, effectively, and efficiently assist in addressing these and other security related problems.