SECURITY DEPARTMENT

The security department is comprised of personnel specifically trained, organized, and equipped to provide the security required to protect an activity's assets and is the single most important element of a command's security program.

Security departments may be composed of military, civilian, or contract guards, or any combination thereof. Regardless of the type or composition of the security department, the duties will fall into five basic categories:

1. Protection of life, property, and the rights of individual citizens

2. Enforcement of Federal/local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations

3. Preserving the peace; preventing, detecting, and investigating accidents and crimes; arresting violators; and aiding citizens in emergency situations

4. Preventing or deterring theft, other losses, fire, damage, accidents, trespassing, sabotage or espionage

5. Controlling pedestrian and vehicular traffic

Commands where the security department has both a law enforcement and physical security mission (normally the host activity) should be organized as shown in figure 10-1. The Operations Division is responsible for all security and law enforcement functions, such as patrol, traffic, harbor security, Auxiliary Security Force, and training. The Administration Division is responsible for all administrative functions associated with the Security Department including, but not limited to, physical security, loss prevention, and access control. The Investigations Division is primarily responsible for the investigation of all cases not under the jurisdiction of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and will maintain a close liaison with the local supporting NCIS Office.

Figure 10-1.-Security department.

Deputy security officers should be assigned to supervise each of the three major branches-a Deputy Security Officer for Operations (formally Chief of Police); Deputy Security Officer for Administration; and the Deputy Security Officer for Investigations (formally Chief Investigator). Each of the deputies should report directly to the Security Officer.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The security officer serves, via the executive officer, as the commanding officer's principal advisor in all matters relating to physical security. Close coordination between the security officer and personnel assigned to other security disciplines, such as the security manager, the automated information security (AIS) officer, and the operations security (OPSEC) officer, is essential for the success of a viable program. In smaller activities, it is not uncommon for the security officer to serve as the security manager or the manager of other specialized security programs. Additionally, the security officer may work directly for the security manager or vice versa, depending upon the nature of the command's mission and/or the predominate type of property held by the command.

SECURITY COMMITTEES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the three required forums for day-to-day management of security programs.

Coordination is an important building block in any security program and is essential in its day-to-day management. In this section, we discuss three of the required and most widely used forums.

PHYSICAL SECURITY REVIEW COMMITTEE

Every naval activity, regardless of size or mission, is required to establish a Physical Security Review Committee (PSRC) to review and discuss security matters as they pertain to that particular command. The PSRC is appointed in writing by the commanding officer or officer in charge and should be chaired by the activity security officer. Membership in the PSRC is normally comprised of the following command personnel: l Security officer (chairperson). . Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Security

Barracks/Company or, as appropriate, the senior member of the activity Marine Corps cadre. 

l Comptroller. 

. Security manager and officers or managers of other specialized security programs (for example, base/activity police/guard supervisor, ADP security officer).

l Public works officer or facilities manager.

l Supply officer.

l Legal officer or general counsel.

l Directors/heads of activities/installations and major command functions whose missions are influenced and impacted by security requirements.

. Senior rated Master-at-Arms, or senior designated Master-at-Arms, assigned physical security duties. 

. Internal review functional manager. 

. Weapons/ordnance officer. 

. Naval Criminal Investigative Service. A representative of the NCIS, while not listed in the required membership, should be included.

LOSS PREVENTION SUBCOMMITTEE

In addition to the PSRC, all naval activities are required to establish a Loss Prevention Subcommittee (LPS), which normally meets immediately following the PSRC meeting. Membership within the LPS should consist of at least three PSRC members, including internal review participation. The purpose of the LPS is to conduct loss trends analysis, review and tabulate losses, determine preventive and disciplinary measures to be taken, and track actions pending. Minutes for the LPS may be appended to those of the PSRC. In commands of less than 200 assigned personnel, the LPS may meet semi annually versus quarterly. As an alternative, membership in the host command's LPS may meet the LPS requirement.