Norred & Associates, Inc - Unofficial Security Officer Complaint Site

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Hello.

My Name is Christopher -----. I was an employee of Norred in the Tampa Bay Florida area. I was first hired on with ITS and stayed working for this fleet through the transformation into the Norred family. Since hired by this fleet I put in 2-1/2 years of consistant service on one site. The site's name is Autoway Chevorlet of Tampa. I put in 2-1/2 years of service and never been writen up. I have since been terminated and this is why I am writing this email. I first email Norred about 3 weeks ago about a problem I had with a Major of Norred. Just to brief you in here is a copy of the original email I sent to norred 3 weeks ago

\/ \/ \/ \/ Original email from Christopher ----- on Aug 7 2004 \/ \/ \/ \/

Hello,

I'm writing this email to inform you of a problem. I will not disclose my name or release to much information about myself so I can not be narrowed down and revealed. Let me state, I am a long time employee of this fleet dating way back to ITS and through the transformation into the Norred family. I also have never been wrote up from either ITS or Norred. I have no reason to start any problems so I ask that my letter be reviewed with a open mind. This is a serious matter and needs to be looked into ASAP.

Tony Cusumano, I believe this is his name (although I am not 100% sure). He claims to be a manager or supervisor recently sent to the Tampa Florida district of Norred to "clean things up". He is a armed employee with tattoos on his arms.

Again, I will be short on direct details so that my identity can not be
revealed. Tony Cusumano confronted me on my post, demanded I completely change my normal routine (that I have been instructed by the client to do). When I tried to explain that this was going against the clients wishes he refused to listen. Tony Cusumano has never worked not even one hour on this post, nor does he know the clients wishes directly. He never even asked me what is expected from us (the guards) at this location. I did not argue with Tony Cusumano, as soon as I realized he was not going to listen to my words I just listened to what he had to say and followed his orders (even if they were against the clients wishes).

While I was trying to explain the post duties given to me from the client (I assume) he felt I was disagreeing with his new rules of the post and Tony Cusumano started getting very rude and loud. He started throwing the F word around at will and saying things in a unprofessional manner. He even went so far to say "I have the authority to send your f-cking ass home right now". I am a man of Christian faith, I don't like being talked to in this manner and I don't like to be referred to as "f-cking ass". I would mention more about the conversation but it might give away my identity if he is allowed to
review this letter. I'm a respectible employee with a good track record,I dont deserve this kinda verbal abuse!

This man really lost his temper. I assure you that I was very gentle in my words and showed him much respect. But he returned my respect with total disrespect. Even worse, as he lost his temper he had the tendency to fiddle with the buckle of his weapons holster as if he was about to pull his weapon. I am not implying that he might pull his weapon, I am just saying this kinda nervous fiddle while he's losing his temper is enough to bring me worry.

I am not the only guard who has seen this kinda behaver from him, I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't the first report of this kinda behavior from him. I don't trust his temper, I'm down right scared of this temper. From this point on I will be carrying a audio recorder in my pocket, I will not tolerate this kinda verbal abuse again!

My suggestions are that you please investigate Tony Cusumano. I would first try privately interviewing his fellow field supervisor named Gene (I don't know his last name). I'm sure Gene has seen Tony Cusumano act this way plenty of times. Although Gene might be scared of Tony Cusumano as well and might not want to speak, but its worth a try. I don't think a man like Tony Cusumano can be cured of his temper with just a briefing. Please do something about this, before this grows into something bigger. If he treats me like this again and I feel Norred has done nothing to correct or investigate this problem I might seek further resolution by contacting and handing over to the State of Florida any information I have collected. Sorry, I am just trying to protect myself.

I hope this is not the type of behavar Norred excepts from thier field
supervisors. Please take this serious! Thank you for your time. Please
respond to this email so I know this made it to the correct person for
review. I will not allow myself to be treated this way.
Once again, Thanks!

After sending this email to Norred, Norred fowarded this email to Van DeMars which is the Regional Vice President for Norred's Florida Operation. Here is a copy of his email responding to my email>>>

\/ \/ \/ \/ Van DeMars responce to Christopher ----- on Aug 9 2004 \/ \/ \/ \/

In case you don't already know me, my name is Van DeMars and I'm the Regional Vice President for Norred's Florida Operation. Mr. Greg Norred and Mr. Chuck Simmons, Corporate Senior Vice President are in receipt of your e-mail and have forwarded it to me for review and action. Your e-mail will not be forwarded or reviewed by anyone other than me (in Florida). Even though I will investigate and address your issues, I will not reveal any specific details of your e-mail that could allow anyone to possibly guess who you are.

I do take your e-mail very seriously and will not allow this type of
treatment of Norred's employees in Florida. I assure you that Mr. Greg
Norred also does not allow his employees to be treated in a disrespectful manner.

I will immediately address these issues with Tony Cusumano and Gene Stewart. Mr. Cusumano was directed by me to "clean up" the Tampa Field Operations, but he was not directed to do this in an unprofessional or disrespectful manner. I do apologize for his behavior and I will take immediate action to ensure it does not happen again.

However, since I am the one who directed that Tampa's Field Operations be "cleaned up," please allow me to clarify my specific policies:

1. Must have Florida State Guard License(s) and Norred Company ID on your person while on duty.
2. Be in a clean and professional looking uniform.
3. Be on post!
4. Have your Norred paperwork completed properly.
5. Be knowledgeable of your post duties
6. Have a professional attitude.

Strict post inspections will continue in the Tampa District but they WILL BE done in a professional manner.

Again, my most sincere apologies. Please feel free to contact me at anytime (day or night) if you encounter this type of behavior again. You can be assured of confidentiality--my cell phone is (813) 426-6086.

Van DeMars

After this email Van DeMars sent me another email. Here is the copy >>>

\/ \/ \/ \/ Email from Van DeMars too Christopher ----- on Aug 10 2004 \/ \/ \/ \/

Out of curiosity, why was he yelling at you and what was it that he was saying you were doing wrong? Why was he so angry at you? Did he at least tell you what you were doing wrong (or what he thought you were doing wrong)?

I then responded, here is a copy of my responce>>>

\/ \/ \/ \/ Email from Christopher ----- to Van DeMars on Aug 11 2004 \/ \/ \/ \/

Hello,

Well let me list Tony Cusumano's complaints or orders as I remember...

1. Tony Cusumano demanded I relocate myself to a different location on the property and make rounds once an hour.
2. Claimed I forgot or didn't turn in a DAR a week earlier.
3. Claimed I was using the property phone on his last visit.
4. Claimed I was training a guard wrong, he said I am suppose to let the training guard fill out the DAR while I watch. Also upset that I didn't already start the DAR for the shift (2 hours into a overnight shift)

My response to these are as follows...

1. I been on this site for a very long time, I was the first guard assigned to this site at the beginning of the contract. I built a relationship with the client and management of the site. I know what they expect from us. I can say this with confidence only because of how long I been on this site especially if you know how fast the guard turnover rate has always been on this site before and after ITS/Norred and my arrival. About making rounds every hour, well we have more duty's then just rounds, if a guard is doing his job he will be on his feet more then just once a hour! Tony Cusumano never asked me or the client what the client expected from us. After years of me doing my best to meet the clients needs, I find it hard to fix something that is not broken. This site has 3 different managers and they don't communicate very well. all 3 expect something totally different from the guards. Over time I figured out how to make all 3 managers happy at the same time, and I train new guards in the path. Not trying to ring my own bell but I think if it wasn't for my efforts, this site wouldn't still belong to Norred. Tony Cusumano does not value my knowledge and experience of this site.

2. I don't remember not turning in a DAR. Its my priority to fill one out on every shift. I will say the security report box is unsecure so anything can happen from the time I leave my report to the time the client picks them up. Tony Cusumano, said he should had wrote me up a week ago for the missing DAR. My response was "I don't remember forgetting a DAR". I asked Tony Cusumano if next time this happens that he could confront me about right away (not wait a week). If he confronted me a day after the missing report my memory would have been fresh.

3. I do use the phone to call my wife in the middle of the night to check in. I have been doing this since the beginning and haven't had any problems from the client. I don't waste time on the phone though, my calls are brief. To be honest I don't know anyone who would want to shoot the bull over the phone that late at night with me anyway! My response to Tony Cusumano about this was none, he was really upset and I didn't want to make it worse. I just listened.

4. I have not been trained in the field of training. Any training I do on my site is only done at the best of my ability. I did not know I was expected to let the guard in training fill the DAR while he's being trained. I didn't start my DAR by the time Tony Cusumano arrived (2 hours after start of shift) because I was so cought up in showing the guard being trained all the duty's, and walking him around the complete property. This is my bad! Again I didn't reply to Tony Cusumano on this, I just listened to what he had to say.

If you interviewed Gene Stewart about Tony Cusumano's actions then it shouldn't be hard to figure out who I am. Gene Stewart was with Tony Cusumano during this confrontation. But Gene Stewart was not involved. IMO Gene Stewart is very professional and down to earth.

I am not a perfect guard and I will make mistakes like any human. But I will always try my best to be the best officer I can and correct any mistakes I make.

Thanks for listening

That was the end of the exchange of emails between Van DeMars and me.

Now heres why I am writing the email. On Sep 1 2004 I was on duty at my normal post (Autoway Chevy of Tampa). At about midnight I walked next door to the 24 hour Mc Donalds to grab a cup of coffie and a burger. When I came back to were my car was parked in Autoways property I was confronted by Tony Cusumano. He asked me were I just came from and I told him I was next door picking up this burger and coffie. He then started to walk away back to his car, as he was walking away he turned his head halfway back and hollared "dont let me catch you off post again". Then is left the property.

The following day I contacted Larry of the Norred Tampa office about some other work issues when he informed me that I had been terminated for leaving the property and having a bad looking uniform. He said this is what Tony Cusumano handing in to his in the morning and this was the means for my termination. I asked Larry why didnt Tony Cusumano write me up on the spot like he was surpose to do, larry responded "I will get on him about that".

Now in my defence...
I was the first guard assigned to this site (Autoway of Tampa) and was trained by the sales manager of Autoway on the dutys he expected from the guards on this site. One of this things the Autoway manager told me was the guards could walk next door to Mc Donalds to get coffie, food or whatever since Autoway was not going to provide the officers with anyway of heating or keeping cool food. So for the past 2-1/2 years I been visiting Mc Donalds if needed and other field supervisors have never had a problem with this in the past.
My Uniform is the same set of uniforms provided to me when I was first hired 2-1/2 years ago. When Norred took over ITS I was handed new Norred patches to replace the ITS patches on my uniform. I have since contacted Norred at least 5 times requesting uniforms, but every time I ask they tell me they dont have my size right now and to try back latter. So needless to say my uniform is not the crispest looking, but it was clean, I did have a black belt, my shirt was tuck in, I was well shaved, I had black boots on, and was looking the best I could for the uniform I had. I do understand the state of florida states a guard should stay on post at all times, this is why I would have excepted being writen up for the actions of going next door for coffie (even though the Autoway Managment authorized the guards going to Mc Donalds next door)

After 2-1/2 years of faithful service with no write ups, I didnt deserve such a strict discipline action of termination for a problem that could have been corrected with a write up. I think writing me up would have been a better choice. I mean how many guards does Norred have that have held onto a single site for 2-1/2 years with faithful service? I would think guards with my record would be what Norred would strive to have on thier team. This just doesnt seem to be a very bright manigment move on the part of the Tampa Norred managment.

This just doesnt make sence to me. But what I honistly think is I was singled out by maybe Tony Cusumano. I beleive maybe Van DeMars authorized my termination because he didnt like me complaining to the corporate Norred (through email) about the verbal abuse I recieved from his Major Tony Cusumano. Isnt it kinda odd that I would be terminated just 3 weeks after I complained about the verbal abuse I recieved from Major Tony Cusuman? Terminated with no write ups and after 2-1/2 years of faithful service!

Im not looking for my job back. But I dont want to walk away from this unheard. I want this to be investigated so that someone else might not have to go through what I have gone through with the Tampa office of Norred.

PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS TO VAN DEMARS like the first email was. Someone above Van DeMars needs to look into this because there seems to be a good relationship between Tony Cusumano and Van DeMarsh.

Please email me back ASAP to let me know this email was recieved so I know I have not gone unheard.

Once again, I thank you for taking the time to read through this all.

Christopher -----