US Department of Labor investigation of Boise mall shooting finds security company exposed officers to dangers of workplace violence

BOISE, ID – A federal investigation has determined that Professional Security Consultants Inc. – a Los Angeles-based security company that provides officers for shopping malls, schools, hotels, hospitals, office buildings and gated communities – repeatedly exposed its employees at the Boise Towne Square mall to workplace violence hazards and failed to follow its own procedures for interacting with armed individuals to enforce the mall’s code of conduct.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection following the fatal shooting of an unarmed security officer on Oct. 25, 2021. OSHA cited the company for not instituting controls to protect security workers from hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. the agency proposed penalties totaling $14,502.

“Professional Security Consultants’ policies and procedures did not effectively address the risk of gun violence, a recognized hazard in the security services industry,” said OSHA Area Director David Kearns in Boise. “Every worker has the right to a safe and healthful workplace. This employer must provide enhanced safeguards and training to ensure workers have the knowledge and tools to better protect themselves against assault.”

In its citation, OSHA provided Professional Security Consultants Inc. with recommendations for developing a workplace violence prevention program. They included training for security personnel; increased high-visibility signage; and procedures for identifying, tracking and communicating information on high-risk people, persons of interest and habitual offenders of the mall’s firearms prohibition.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Professional Security Consultants also provides security consulting, executive protection and event planning services. It employs about 2,900 workers.

Learn more about preventing workplace violence.