In the March print issue of Professional Security, we plan an A to Z of associations and bodies for the UK private security person. On that subject, an article from Nigel Spencer-Knott, Chairman, Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce.
Our organisation EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce) is unique. A not-for-profit organisation set up entirely for the benefit of its membership but from which potential employers and clients can choose services delivered by people engrained with a deep sense of integrity; now how often can you find that in these days of identity theft, sleaze, rip-off contractors and the like.
Formed in 1979, EPIC’s membership consists entirely of ex-police officers who have been granted a police pension and whose conduct during their service was exemplary. The bulk of the membership is therefore between 50 and 60 years of age but all of them are involved in work connected to the field of security. For whatever reason – family at university, upgrading of the house, separation or divorce or just plain unbridled energy, EPIC members continue to either work for other organisations or develop their own businesses. The one common trait is a work ethic which is assisted by being able to talk to fellow members the length and breadth of the country coupled with a realisation that they are not on their own.
It is only when you break out of the cosy cocoon that the Police Service gave you throughout your career that you appreciate the difficulties of life on the outside. Sticking a stamp on a letter that you have written yourself can sometimes come as a bit of a shock.
EPIC is a truly national organisation. Its four meetings a year are spread around the country so you should be able to make about two of them without having to travel too far or stay overnight. However, there is a hard core who visit every meeting including the annual social gathering.
It doesn’t matter what rank you were in the police force – you can see from some of the very successful businesses represented in EPIC that they have flourished simply because of the effort of the individual and not because of their previous position. We also have fun. It is great to speak openly in a meeting knowing that everyone is on the same wavelength. It is also very useful to look up in the password protected website directory to see if a member in a particular area can help you out with something and know that you are speaking to a person who shares the same ethics as you do.
With about 300-plus members we are significant without being over large. It only costs £80 a year for membership and for that you get a comprehensive individual entry on our website www.epic-uk.com.
EPIC’s costs are kept to a minimum because the committee is made up of volunteers. We are solvent and we will not scrimp on worthwhile investment which is for the benefit of the membership. We asked a few of the membership to give us an insight of why they joined EPIC and what they get out of the organisation:
Barry Davis, secretary of EPIC, is an ex-constable from Derbyshire who runs his own business checking out insurance queries. Barry says: "I joined EPIC 22 years ago when I retired from Derbyshire having served 25 years. I get a real buzz meeting ex-colleagues, keeping up to date with legislation and new procedures and being able to ring colleagues around the country to help me out with my business."
Bob Hancock is a former Detective Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police and a former chairman of EPIC. Bob has seen work in both the employed sector and latterly in his own right.
He said: "As an ex-Met man I thought the world of crime and police ended outside the M25! After 12 years with an International Corporation and four years running my own business I have found the advantages of EPIC membership enormous. Not merely networking throughout the UK and abroad with a group of professionals with the highest integrity but the opportunity to get first hand all the latest developments in an ever changing and fast moving Private Security Industry. Membership of EPIC is a MUST for any qualifying former police officer’
Brian Sturman, who until recently was on the Executive Committee, served 33 years, starting off in Dudley Borough, West Midlands Constabulary and then West Midlands Police. Brian retired as a very hands-on Detective Constable having spent the last 20 years in the CID. He said: "When I joined EPIC I thought it might be a ‘talking shop’ for ex-senior officers. That was and is not the case – the organisation is transparent and there is certainly no rank – we all are back in civvy street which is the level playing field that we all started on."
Trevor Barton is the Treasurer of EPIC, and served in Lancashire and GMP. On retirement he set up his own company that diversified into security consultancy and the provision of specialist surveillance personnel. Trevor said: "I don’t think that our company would be where it is had it not been for the advice, freely given by others who had previously gone down the same path. It is tremendous being able to openly discuss business development problems, lack of expertise in new areas, etc. with people who immediately want to help. There is a session at every meeting where the membership just talks about problems with other organisations or companies. Members tip each off about new scams and recommend to each other new methods or types of equipment which can help. It’s also really comforting to know that there is a definite structure to what we do, imbued with obvious standards of quality and yet all tinged with real police humour. I can’t recommend it too highly." See www.professionalwitnesses.com
On my own behalf I have found that membership of EPIC continues the companionship I enjoyed during over 30 years service in both uniform and CID branches. It keeps me in touch with the breadth of security matters including current police thinking; when I set up a vetting service, (Who’s Really Who? Ltd) there were colleagues who could make sure I didn’t make too many business mistakes. The "great things" we did in the job, the commendations, mentions in despatches as it were, are properly understood, in EPIC we tend to look at how we can share skills for mutual benefit; there are so many advantages
I am a member of several groups and associations, I even chair the Disciplinary Panel of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) but I can assure you that EPIC is the organisation I get most from.
So, if you are coming up to retirement or you have already retired and have started work again, whether in industry generally or in the security business either for yourself or for another company, EPIC can really do things for you – if you want to find out more, look us up on the website, download an application form and jump in.
