Partnering for Protection

"Partnering for Protection: Leveraging Relationships to Improve Parking Enforcement Safety"

There are a few key themes that I've learned during my time in parking.  First, I have discovered that the industry is built on relationships.  Although not unique to parking, I have seen firsthand how welcoming everyone in this industry has been to me and my colleagues who have never worked in parking before.  For instance, I recall a time when a vendor, instead of promoting their own services, recommended a competitor who was better suited for a particular project. This kind of camaraderie, which reflects the industry's values of customer service, collaboration, and professionalism, is not uncommon in this field.  These experiences have deepened my respect and admiration for the parking industry.

However, there is another theme that demands our immediate attention, and I am reaching out to our industry relationships to help tackle it. The problem at hand is the glaring lack of training, particularly in officer safety, for frontline parking enforcement personnel. In April, I had the privilege of conducting a one-day Frontline Parking Enforcement class with Paso Robles Police Commander Caleb Davis at the SWPTA Mid-Year conference. While the training was well received, Caleb and I were shocked to discover that the frontline parking enforcement personnel were completely unaware of even the most basic officer safety practices. This is not a reflection on their capabilities, but a critical issue that must be addressed promptly, given the potential risks and consequences.

Commander Davis and I bring with us years of experience as police officers before we ventured (or were thrust) into the parking industry. Much of our officer safety training was instilled in us from the very beginning of our careers. In the police academy, our instructors would have us eat and carry our bags with our non-dominant hands, reinforcing the principle that your gun hand should always be free. We were taught to be ever vigilant, focus on suspects’ hands, use cover and concealment, and make safe and tactical approaches to cars and buildings. These techniques have become second nature to us because they were ingrained in us from day one. Unfortunately, frontline parking enforcement personnel do not receive this training, despite patrolling the same streets and interacting with the same communities as we do as police officers.

Targeted violence against law enforcement on the rise (https://leb.fbi.gov/, https://www.police1.com/officer-safety/articles/violent-week-a-grim-sign-as-targeted-killings-of-police-rise-MVh5oeixsI4fp2Sr/). While the number of assaults on non-sworn professional (civilian) employees is not as closely tracked, we can assume that the job is also becoming more dangerous for our frontline parking personnel. Now, more than ever, we must focus on providing this training to the frontline. While I could talk for days about officer safety, here are just a few things to consider:

• Frontline parking enforcement personnel are not just tasked with enforcement. They are community caretakers, ambassadors for the agency, and the community's eyes and ears. They should know that their function extends well beyond parking compliance.
• Situational awareness does not just apply to police officers. While I am not suggesting that people become paranoid, a healthy level of awareness in daily life will keep you safe. Pay attention to your surroundings, put your phone away, be confident in your interactions with people, and, most importantly, trust your intuition.
• Know your city or service area. What are the high-risk areas? What environmental hazards are present (such as traffic conditions, pedestrian activity, weather, etc.)?
• Learn de-escalation techniques. Remember, it’s about safety and professionalism. Give yourself personal space and keep your tone and body language neutral. Do not be afraid to disengage and walk away; no ticket or tow is worth compromising your safety.
• Think before stepping onto the roadway or directing traffic. Assess the environment, use lights to your advantage, wear your reflective vest, create buffer lanes, and keep your head on a swivel.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Frontline parking enforcement personnel should also be trained in communication skills, tactical positioning, the use of personal protective equipment, conflict management, knowledge of case law, self-defense skills, mental and physical preparedness, and mental well-being and wellness.

I am not alone in wanting more training for frontline personnel. I’ve had the opportunity to moderate and participate in several parking panels at NPA, CMPA, and SWPTA (my obvious favorite!). The frontline parking enforcement panels have confirmed my suspicion. Frontline parking enforcement personnel have expressed a clear and urgent desire for additional training. They recognize a significant gap in the training currently provided to them, particularly compared to the comprehensive training that police officers receive. Unlike their sworn counterparts, parking enforcement officers are not equipped with the same defensive tools, leaving them at a disadvantage in potentially violent situations. This disparity impacts their ability to perform their duties effectively and raises concerns about their safety while on the job. We must do better.

Now, I am calling on my connections in the parking industry. Help me spread this message. Vendors, when you meet with cities, especially police departments, please ask them what training they provide for frontline parking enforcement personnel. For those of you who work for municipalities, please talk with your police departments’ command staff and encourage them to seek out this training. Frontline parking personnel already have such a difficult job; they should not be forced to put themselves at an increased risk of personal harm without being equipped with this officer safety training.

As much as I appreciated the opportunity to provide a one-day training at Mid-Year, this is not nearly enough. Training needs to be continuous. Officer safety skills are perishable, and unless you consistently think about them, a person’s confidence and abilities degrade over time. What is worse, complacency kills. We cannot allow our frontline personnel to become complacent. Even in the safest communities, tragic incidents can occur in seconds, leaving those who are unprepared seriously hurt or worse.  Instilling a sense of confidence and preparedness is not just important for officer safety but also a vital component of career and professional development. Safe frontline employees are also more effective in their roles, leading to better relationships between the police and the community.

As a practice, we must also ensure that frontline parking enforcement personnel are equipped with the tools and equipment to keep them safe. During our one-day training, we were shocked to learn that some enforcement personnel do not carry radios or other communication devices. How are they to call for immediate assistance if they are being assaulted? Further, an emphasis should be placed on equipping enforcement personnel with body-worn cameras. This has become the industry standard in policing, and I have seen how much less likely a person is to engage in assaultive behavior if they know they are being filmed.

While the sense of camaraderie and mutual support in this field is truly commendable, there is a pressing need to enhance the safety training for frontline parking enforcement personnel. The increasing risks they face highlight the urgency of this issue. By leveraging our industry connections, we can advocate for comprehensive safety training programs that equip these dedicated individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to stay safe on the job. I am grateful to organizations like SWPTA for their support and commitment to this cause and everyone who has contributed to making our industry safer. Together, we can ensure that frontline parking enforcement personnel are effective, protected, and prepared in their roles within our communities.