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Security Expert Witness

Residential and Home Security Expert

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J. Patrick Murphy provides forensic security expert witness services to plaintiff and defense counsel for litigation involving apartment security expert, security guard security expert, premises security expert, negligent security expert, retail shoplifting security expert witness, bar and nightclub security expert witness.

No need to be a security expert today.  Home owners have resources at their fingertips to protect their home and loved ones.  Wading through the techno-speak of supposed “home security experts” such as alarm and camera companies, can be daunting.   When a homeowner makes the leap, for whatever reason, to upgrade their home security, there are many considerations that go into that final buying decision.

For instance, does a homeowner need both an alarm system and a camera system to truly be safe.  Unfortunately there are no guarantees that any piece of physical security hardware will prevent or deter bad things from happening.  On the flip side, does a homeowner need an 8 camera system with cloud storage plus a burglar alarm system with redundant detection?  Answer:  It depends.  These decisions are based on budget, need, size of home and grounds, and threats to the family’s safety.

Security expert and consultant Pat Murphy can assist any homeowner with decisions about security.  LPT Security Consulting will perform a site assessment of any home to determine any strengths and vulnerabilities that may be present.  From that starting point, a customer would be able to understand their options and not be oversold by a company wanting to sell expensive equipment.

Call Pat Murphy, 713-899-2402.  pat.murphy@lptoday.com

PC Magazine carried the article below that can also help you make those important decisions.

The Best Smart Home Security Systems of 2017

A Smarter Way to Stay Safe

The Internet of Things has made it easier than ever to set up a smart home in which you can remotely control your door locks, lawnmowers,lights, thermostats, vacuums, and even pet feeders, using your smartphone and an app. It’s also made it very easy (and relatively affordable) to monitor your home from just about anywhere with a smart security system. Smart security systems are highly customizable and are available as do-it-yourself kits or as full-blown setups that include professional installation and monitoring.

Depending on your needs you can go with a system that you monitor yourself, or pay a subscription fee to have your home monitored 24/7 by professionals who will contact your local fire and police departments when alarms are triggered. Of course, the more coverage you have the more you can expect to pay. Here’s what to look for when deciding how to outfit your home, along with the top systems we’ve tested.

Components

A smart home security system connects to your home Wi-Fi network so you can monitor and control your security devices using your smartphone and an app. Entry-level systems typically include a couple of door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a hub that communicates with these devices using one or more wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, or a proprietary mesh network. You can add extra door, motion, and window sensors to provide coverage for your entire house and build a comprehensive system that includes door locks, garage door openers, indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras, lights, sirens, smoke/CO detectors, water sensors, and more.

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CV of J. Patrick Murphy

713-899-2402

Mr. Pat Murphy is a negligent security subject matter expert who provides nationwide forensic security expert witness services in the areas of premises liability and negligent security. Areas of expertise involve the reasonable standard of care in Risk Assessment, Security Management, Nightclub Security, Security Guards, Apartment Security and Retail Loss Prevention.

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Mr. Murphy has experience in Security Management, Law Enforcement, and Loss Prevention since 1975. His career for over four decades qualifies him as a risk management and premises security liability expert witness in Federal and State Courts and provides critical knowledge and expertise in:
  • Risk and Security Management Practices
  • Foreseeability and standard of care;
  • Crime analysis and prevention;
  • (Crime Mapping for Demonstratives)
  • Physical security assessment, planning, and implementation;
  • Security and loss-prevention management and training;
  • Development of Fortune 50 corporate strategic initiatives and policies and procedures to protect assets, human capital, and reduce losses; and
  • Security management across a broad spectrum of areas within varied business sectors.

Experience: 1975 to Present

President, LPT Security Consulting, 2001 to present. Litigation services and security consulting practice specializing in two primary areas:

  1. Litigation Services. Mr. Murphy provides services as a testifying security expert witness for plaintiff or defense in the areas of foreseeability, premises liability, negligent security, crime analysis and security standards of care.  Subject matter expert in nightclubs, concert venues, security guard negligence, apartment security and many more.  Experience in over 500 cases.
  2. Security Consulting. Mr. Murphy provides services to businesses, corporations, schools, and individuals to provide security vulnerability assessments, crime prevention strategies, training, and physical security planning.

Director of Loss Prevention Operations, Eckerd Corporation, 1999–2001
The Eckerd Corporation was the fourth largest retail drugstore chain in the nation, with sales in excess of $16B. They had 3,000 stores and 10 distribution centers with over 78,000 employees. (Eckerd was sold to the CVS pharmacy chain in 2003.)

Mr. Murphy managed the southern half of the company’s operations through five regional loss prevention managers. He was responsible for creating and implementing strategic loss prevention and security initiatives for theft, shrinkage reduction, training, physical security hardware, state and federal controlled-drug compliance, and investigations. He also conducted high-level internal investigations as well as crime analysis to identify and respond to any emerging trends or patterns.

He developed the company’s training programs for loss prevention/security management and store operations. He also coordinated and conducted physical security surveys and audits of all facilities in his area of operations.

Regional Loss Prevention Manager, Eckerd Corporation, 1989-1999
Mr. Murphy was responsible for creating and implementing strategic loss prevention and security initiatives for theft, workplace violence, training, physical security hardware, and controlled-drug compliance and investigation. This included security management of a 500,000-square-foot warehouse.

Area Loss Prevention Manager, Sears (Houston, TX), 1979–1989
Mr. Murphy managed security and loss prevention.

Patrol Officer, Dallas Police Department (Dallas, TX), 1976–1979
Mr. Murphy was assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division.

Security Guard Supervisor, Southern Research Company (Shreveport, LA) 1975–1976
In addition to supervising guards at Louisiana Downs Racetrack, Mr. Murphy was also assigned as an undercover operative to the Investigations Division for theft and narcotics investigation.

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Protection Professional (CPP) 1984-1996. Board certified by ASIS (American Society for Industrial Security now ASIS International) after examination.

EDUCATION

  • B.A. Spanish and Sociology (criminology emphasis), Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, 1975
  • Post graduate (3 hours), Sam Houston State University, 1978
  • Certificate from The Management Program, Rice University, Jesse H. Jones School of Business Management, Houston, TX 1994

BOOK
Mr. Murphy was a contributing author to the 2008 book “Retail Crime, Security, and Loss Prevention” by Charles Sennewald and John Christman regarding drug diversion investigations and retail drugstore loss prevention.

AUTHORED ARTICLES

PUBLISHED ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS FOR MEDIA

  • “Club Owners, Security Experts Say It’s Hard to Protect Against Attacks,” Time, 6/2016
  • “How Amazon Shames Warehouse Workers for Alleged Theft,” Bloomberg Business, 3/2016
  • “Sneaky Thief Uses Fake Bar Codes to Steal Pricey Products”, KHOU ABC Channel 11 (Houston, TX), 12/2013
  • “Mall Security After Nairobi,” Live interview on KTRK, ABC Channel 13 , 10/2013
  • “Our children at risk: Security cameras at (HISD) public schools broken for months,” Interview on KHOU Channel 11 (Houston, TX), 2/2013
  • “Theft from layaway at local retailer,” . Interview on KPRC, NBC Channel 2, Houston, TX. 12/2011
  • “Organized Retail Crime”. Interview. KPRC, NBC Channel 2 (Houston, TX), 12/2011
  • “Experts Weigh in on Criminal Flash Mobs,” Society for Human Resource Managers, 8/2011
  • “Safe Haven,” Geoff Williams, American Express Inside Eagle, 4/2011
  • “Internal Theft Trends and Security Systems,” Vicky Uhland, Natural Foods Merchandiser, 8/2010
  • “Employee Theft at Distribution Centers,” Heather Landi, Beverage World Magazine, 8/2010
  • “RX for Secure Warehouses,” Journal of Commerce, 3/2010
  • “State Capitol Shooting,” Interview on KTRH AM 740 (Houston, TX), 1/2010
  • “Choosing a Safe for Your Restaurant,” Pizza Magazine, 1/2010
  • “Operation Loss Prevention,” Warehousing Education and Research Council, 10/2009
  • “Johnson: Policy is aggravating, but it’s for the best,” Bill Johnson, Denver Post, 8/2009
  • “10 Steps to Reduce Loitering at Tax Credit Housing,” Susan Hash, 8/2009
  • “Stopping Losses from Shrinkage,” Pet Business Magazine, 7/2009
  • “Use of Force within the Retail Industry Loss Prevention,” LP Community.org, 8/2008

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • MHA Business Summit (pharmacy convention), Las Vegas, NV, 4/2017
  • Do It Right (national hardware store retailer), Des Moines, IL
  • Board of Directors, Houston Retail Merchants Association
  • Membership Committee, Forensic Expert Witness Association, Houston, TX

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Chairman, Membership Committee, Forensic Expert Witness Association – Houston, TX 2009-2010
  • Member, American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
  • ASIS Retail Loss Prevention Council
  • Texas School Safety and Security Training

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • First Degree Black Belt, Tae Kwan Do, 6/2009

Disgruntled employee fired shots into multiple vehicles. Workplace violence.

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As a security expert witness, I am retained in cases of workplace violence, active shooters, and policy and procedures.  A temporary employee can bring issues to your workplace that were not developed or disclosed by the temp agency.

August 26, 2016

Police say a disgruntled employee fired shots into multiple vehicles just before 10 a.m. in a parking lot at the plant on Passmore Lane near the Highway 45 Bypass.

Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol later intercepted the alleged gunman near Old Humboldt Road and Ashport Road.

A WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News reporter on scene saw officers take a man into custody who appeared to be naked.

Passmore Lane is closed to traffic and will be for several hours while officers process the crime scene, according to police.

Stanley Black & Decker released the following statement in response to the shooting.

“This morning a temporary employee committed an act of workplace violence in the parking lot of our Jackson Facility. We are thankful that no one was hurt and grateful to the local law enforcement for their extremely rapid response and apprehension of the suspect.”

WBBJ News

Security Expert: Courtesy Officer vs. Police Officer: What’s In a Name?

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gated-community-security-courtesy-officer-training

Apartment Complex and Gated Communities:
It’s Not The Name, It’s The Function!

Security expert witnesses over the past several years have seen an increasing use of Courtesy Officer jobs in apartment properties in an effort to deflect any appearance of having “Security”.  This shift has been prompted by the (unfounded) belief that a job title change could reduce the property’s liability and even lower their tenant’s expectations.  Litigation has proved otherwise.

The problem lies in the fact that the Courtesy Officer is, by their very nature, a law enforcement officer who is there to provide security functions on the property. The courts tend to work quickly through the contentions of property management that no “security” is provided even though the primary job requirement of the courtesy officer is that they be currently employed as a police officer. The fact that they are also provided a reduced rent or rent free apartment in exchange for their services tends to highlight their real purpose.

Courtesy officers provide critical services to the tenants of their properties but the sufficiency of the security provided needs to be clearly reviewed.  One officer cannot be on a property 24/7. For at least 40 hours a week, they are working their primary job which leaves gaps in property coverage. While it may be argued that during normal office hours that the staff and maintenance personnel on duty, they still do not possess the powers conveyed upon a police officer. Understanding crimes on the property will assist in creating the most impactful schedule.

Managing Courtesy Officers can be challenging because management assumes that since they are police, they naturally know what to do. That is correct in terms of law enforcement but, at least in an apartment setting, there may be other functions required as well as a different level of accountability. Accountability means that prior to hiring a particular officer, all of the job duties are outlined and agreed to. These should be reduced to writing and signed as part of the hiring process. A police officer may feel micro-managed because it is recommended that all activities are documented.  To ensure the level of work is satisfactory, a daily report should be created to document that. Those should be turned into management daily. The types of tasks required may include listing all lights not working, or checking the pool area and laundry rooms. Whatever has been mandated by management must be completed the same as if they were an actual employee. If the officer is a “poor performer” then they can be released from their services and replaced.

In short, a Courtesy officer or security guard must have planned and documented tasks. Their function must be properly managed or the level of service desired will not be met.

The Courtesy Officer responsibilities template is available as a Word document:
Download a copy of the Courtesy Officer Responsibilities Template for a copy and make changes as appropriate.