Yuma firm contracts for security services

When a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-300 landed in Yuma after losing cabin pressure April 1, special armed security was needed to guard the damaged plane — worth several million dollars — while it sat in Yuma.

One local company, Arizona Southwest Patrol (AZSWP), was up to the challenge.

“When we got that call, I was really surprised they picked us,” said Sgt. Lorenzo Vazquez, who owns and operates the company. “Getting the credibility to be out there and provide professional service was awesome.”

AZSWP is now contracted with Yuma International Airport to provide security services in the future.

“We will now start doing training exercises along with them for anytime they have any major incidents,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez is proud of his Yuma-based company.

“There is a security guard company here that is really professional. You don't have to go all the way to Phoenix. We are right here locally.”

Vazquez, a native of Ventura, Calif., founded AZSWP in 2008.

The company includes about nine certified armed guards who provide private active patrol and onsite armed security services. The officers have pistols, shotguns and AR-15 assault rifles at their disposal, as well as a trained K-9 unit.

The company is also certified to provide security and traffic control in east Imperial County, where it is known as Metro Anti-Crime.

AZSWP is even called upon from time to time to watch over bank ATMs and can help area law enforcement agencies respond to incidents if requested.

Since its inception, the company has grown from patrolling one residential subdivision to guarding about 16 properties.

In the future, AZSWP will train all armed and unarmed security personnel in the Yuma area.

“I am a certified pistol instructor through Arizona Department of Public Safety, and we are going to start providing the training for all their operations licensing unit for armed security officers,” Vazquez said.

“Anyone who wants to get into armed or unarmed security will go through us. We are the only ones who provide certified training here in Yuma.”

The Wackenhut guards who transport illegal immigrants in the Yuma area and the armed guards who stand watch over the Yuma Desalting Plant were trained by AZSWP.

Even though Vazquez is the owner, he is content to be a sergeant.

“I'm a young guy still. I don't see a need to be the chief or the captain — that is for the older guys. I like to be out in the field. I can't be stuck on the computer all the time. I need to be out there.”

Because AZSWP guards are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Vazquez gets plenty of street time.

Vazquez and his fellow security officers are fully equipped and, like their law enforcement counterparts, wear badges and drive marked Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors.

Even though Yumans give them plenty of double takes, Vazquez said they are still considered private citizens. “The only difference is we have a little more authority because we are in uniform, based on the Arizona Revised Statutes and the training we have.”

Vazquez commands a high standard from his officers.

“We stick with a professional image. I'm sure a lot of people are used to seeing the flashlight-carrying, long-haired with their shirt untucked security guard. But times are changed and clients need to have a professional security service — and we are it.”

Even though AZSWP is a private company, it does have authority to make arrests and maintains a relationship with the Yuma Police Department and the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Vazquez said.

“If people commit a crime in our presence and we have reasonable cause to believe they committed that crime, we can actually arrest them. We can arrest for any felony.”

Once they arrest somebody, AZSWP officers contact a local law agency with jurisdiction to hand over the arrested party.

But arrest is a last resort. Vazquez would rather deter a crime in the first place, and carrying a gun and a badge is an excellent deterrent, he said.

“From a criminal mindset, if they see one of us they will probably think twice before doing something,” said Sheldon Vicks, AZSWP reserve volunteer officer.

Since his officers carry loaded weapons, Vazquez puts them through a stringent hiring process.

“Vazquez needs to know he can rely on me, and I have to know I can rely on him and vice versa with other officers,” Vicks said. “I need to know they are trained. I wouldn't want just anybody having that weapon. There is a reason to use it, but that weapon doesn't even have to be drawn to get respect.”

The officers can also rest easy knowing backup is a radio call away.

“Of course, you don't want to do this by yourself,” Vazquez said. “That is why we have two-way radios and multiple officers to assist us. We have central dispatch and if we need police, they actually respond really quickly for us.”

Picking up lesser infractions allows local law agencies to concentrate on more serious crimes, Vazquez said.

“They know we handle the minor stuff, so if we call them they know its something big — it is a felony and we need their help.”

For more information about the company, call 783-4700 or log on to arizonaswpatrol.com.