RCMP worried security guards "could be hurt"
Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 11/01) - Yellowknife's police brass have warned Centurion Security to watch its step.
After a weekend in which the private security firm phoned in several complaints, company owner David Beckwith found himself in meetings with RCMP brass Monday.
Of particular concern to the Mounties was an incident at the Raven's Court apartment building. Police were summoned on a disturbing the peace call. When they arrived, they learned that Beckwith had entered a unit to break up a fight.
"Our information indicates that he may have entered the dwelling without permission," said Staff Sgt. Terry Scott, Yellowknife Detachment commander.
Beckwith said Centurion, under contract to provide security in the apartment, is caught "between a rock and a hard place."
"If there is a male or female in a dwelling being assaulted, how long do we have to wait," asked Beckwith.
Scott says Beckwith "runs a risk of being hurt, or arrested. We just don't open the door. That's how officers get killed."
Beckwith met with Scott and Operations NCO Al McCambridge after Centurion called in several complaints over the weekend. Scott says Mounties received "close to 10 calls on Friday," while Beckwith puts the number closer to four. Beckwith said "he learned a lot" from the meetings and that Centurion will be changing their training procedures to address police concerns.
