(Editor’s note: The attached write-up captures the development of the Alarm Management Committee – AMC — in Utah. We felt this description worth sharing with our readers to understand the steps necessary to get this up and running. SIAC is ready to help you explore this option in your state to help improve alarm management practice.
AMC’s connect alarm dealers in states with their respective chiefs of police so they can hopefully achieve a long-term bond, working together through common issues like adjusting the Model Ordinance to their specific needs to conform to state law. With that relationship usually comes trust, and provides the communication vehicle necessary to substantially reduce the risk of a chief producing an onerous ordinance. In fact, once the chiefs adopt the jointly produced ordinance, they promote it, and can urge/persuade others to adopt it. Their buy-in usually prevents other chiefs from coming up with more restrictive versions.)
Steve Keefer began establishing a relationship with the Utah Chiefs of Police Association four years ago. Whether sponsoring their golf tournament at their annual conference or displaying SIAC educational information within their exhibit hall, the relationship, slowly began to build.
Steve was able to meet Washington City, Utah Police Chief Jim Keith at a bi-annual State Agency Chiefs of Police Conference (SACOP). Both Jim and Steve represented their respective states at SACOP. At the time, Steve was still a Chief of Police at the Sparks Police Department in Nevada and the relationship carried over when Steve joined SIAC in 2013.
They shared information afterwards, and although the information was welcomed, the desire to move to the next level wasn’t quite there. Relationships take time to build.
Over the next few years and more time together, Steve shared why an AMC is effective and important. Chief Jim Keith embraced the idea and arranged a meeting at the 2018 IACP Conference in Orlando, Florida.
SIAC’s Glen Mowrey led the meeting, with Utah Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Val Shupe; Chief Keith; and Steve Keefer present. Glen did a fine job and peaked much interest with the possibility of forming the first AMC in the Western United States.
Keefer presented a proposal several months later which got finalized. The board approved adoption of the AMC and members were soon selected.
Three alarm industry professionals were selected: Clint Beecroft of Peak Alarm Company (also Utah ESA President); Brian Kirtley of Comcast and and Arlen Kingston of AAA Security.
Three Chiefs of Police were selected: Chief Jim Keith of Washington City PD; Chief Carl Merino of Roy PD; and Public Safety Director Dan Benson of Brian Head PD.
The first meeting with all six members and SIAC’s Steve Keefer was held on March 26 in St. George, Utah, during the association’s annual conference. The first meeting produced a general sense of excitement from participants, looking to provide the association with valuable future resources for all aspects of alarm management.
It’s a long process. But huge results follow as chiefs and alarm industry members buy-in to collective solutions. We recognize at SIAC that positive change takes time. We commit to working together to develop these committees, serving as a resource, providing counsel and guidance. Their growth and success is demonstrated by the numbers:
We now have active AMC’s in TN, FL, GA, MI, SC, NC, MN, CT, ME, TX, WV, PA, IL and now UT. The next Utah meeting is tentatively set for July in the Town of Brian Head, Utah.