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Project Servator is taking off at airports...


P


assengers and staff at airports across the UK are playing a key role in Project Servator –


the policing tactic used to deter, detect and disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism.


Police forces are encouraging them to be their eyes and ears, and report anything that seems unusual or doesn’t feel right. This includes people working in shops and businesses, such as car hire firms, hotels and transport operators, airline and airport staff and aviation enthusiasts.


At the same time, officers are carrying out unpredictable deployments across airports, including terminal buildings, cargo, baggage handling, offices, car parks, perimeter fences, transport hubs and surrounding businesses. The deployments involve officers specially trained to spot the tell- tale signs of criminal intent, including hostile reconnaissance, and a range of other police resources and less visible measures.


Together, and with the support of airport operators and airlines, they are creating a network of vigilance that makes it difficult for terrorists and other criminals to operate effectively.


The collaborative effort is paying off, with reports of suspicious activity going up and criminals being detected, including people wanted on arrest warrants. Airport users are reporting that they are feeling reassured by the police activity and would be more willing to report anything that doesn’t feel right.


Spotlight on Chartered Security Professionals


Army and was commissioned into The Parachute Regiment in 1981. I left in 1990 as a Major, having seen active service in the Falklands and Northern Ireland. Having had responsibility as a Unit Security Officer during my service, I was interested in the sector, and after doing some freelance work for other companies I set up my own company offering consulting and investigation services.


F


ollowing on from our last issue’s well


received feature on Chartered Security Professionals, we now introduce the first in a series of regular profiles of individual Chartered


Security Professionals.


In this issue, Mike Bluestone CSyP (Ambassador for the Register of Chartered Security Professionals) profiles Michael (‘Mike’) O’Neill CSyP.


Here is what Mike O’Neill had to say about becoming chartered: “I joined the British


© CI TY S ECURI TY MAGAZ INE – WINT ER 2018


I handle a wide portfolio of services, including attempted espionage, frauds, hostile takeovers, counterfeiting and issues around new market entry. I work in Africa, across Europe and parts of the Middle East. For the last few years I have been working with clients particularly to help make them more resilient to the known and unknown unknowns.


In my current role, as the Managing Director of Optimal Risk Group, I am still involved in consulting, but more of my time is involved with planning the future direction of the Group. In particular, understanding what proactive services we can offer clients rather than being mostly reactive.


I was a Director of the Security Institute at the time the Register of Chartered Security Professionals was launched, and I am on record in acknowledging the detailed preparation that went into getting the CSyP


www. c i t y s e cu r i t yma g a z i n e . com Find out more about Project Servator. www.counterterrorism.police.uk/servator/


application process right. I fully supported the drive to improve recognition of the security sector, and I was one of the first ten applicants to the Register, and the first to apply as a non-graduate. In my opinion, the process does make you think carefully about your ability to demonstrate that you meet the required standards, including covering the five specific sets of competencies.


I have now gone on to become an assessor, and mentor for applicants to the register, and earlier this year I joined the CSyP Regulation Authority.


I am extremely keen to encourage more security professionals to apply for admission to the Register, and I have given a number of presentations to explain the process and attract younger applicants.


I have found that clients and other professionals clearly respect the chartered status of CSyPs, and I believe that we are all under an obligation to continue working hard to raise the Register’s profile, and articulate the benefits of becoming chartered.”


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