Charlotte NC May 11 2020
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Private Officer International, Richard A. McCann, has announced this morning that because of the lack of cooperation from some state agencies, the organization has begun the process of serving the Department of Health and Human Services of all fifty states and 14 U.S. territories with a Freedom of Information request.
With 96 known security officer deaths related to the COVID-19 virus so far, I am one hundred percent certain that theses are just the tip of the iceberg McCann stated in a press release today.
As with the 9-11 attacks, the numbers just are not adding up because these men and women who have lost their lives trying to protect others, have no one in their corner making sure that the names and their professions are released as soon as they’re known.
When a firefighter, paramedic or police officer dies in the line of duty, the information is quickly released by their agencies so that the public knows that a hero has given their life.
When a private security officer dies doing a similar job, their employers seldom make their bravery or heroics or even their name known to the public. It is almost like it did not happen, McCann said in the press release.
For years after the terrorist attack of September 9, 2001, Private Officer International, worked tirelessly to research public records, law enforcement and fire department reports, media files and other public records to compile an accurate accounting of the names of each security officer and “state peace” officer, killed on that day.
Often times the staff found it difficult to obtain information that was public records.
McCann said that he and his staff including their legal department, have already begun contacting each state to identify and obtain any names of those identified as security officers, special police officers, public law enforcement or others employed in the public safety field.
It may take a while, there may be some battles along the way, we might even have to circle back to the same agencies a few times, but we’re ready to do whatever it takes to not only accurately know and report true statistical information, but moreover, to honor those who have lost their lives trying to help others.
