The current reality of terrorism and personal safety concerns has inspired the creation of numerous security-related firms over the past year. One local company, however, has been around since 1983, dedicated to remaining on the leading edge of training and operations.

John Desmedt, Executive Director of Protective Safety Systems, developed an award-winning control tactics and protective control system and developed the original Use of Force Model in 1981. That model is still used to accurately guide a reasonable response to virtually any situation.

PSS develops courses and trains professionals and instructors in control tactics. The firm highly emphasizes safety in its courses. The philosophy is that training for incidents of acute stress must be designed and conducted with safety in mind.

PSS has been involved in In-Flight Response to Hostility Training for over 10 years. The staff is experienced in working in chaotic times to provide interim and permanent solutions for the detection, prevention and response to in-flight threats.

With staff experienced in the presidential protective arm of the Secret Service, PSS offers executive protection training geared to the safety of protectees in normal and emergency situations in a variety of locations.

Other example courses and certification classes include: Control Tactics Instructor; Firearms Instructor; School Security Officer; Hospital Security Officer. The firm contracts to provide complete or modularized, tailored and on-site training to form or enhance protective operations for individual corporations, both nationally and internationally. It does not represent weapons or police equipment manufacturers, so conflict of interest is avoided.

John C. Desmedt has been on the leading edge of professional safety and security for over 20 years. A retired Secret Service agent, he supervised the Office of Training and the Control Tactics/Protective Control Office and was a special agent in the Presidential Protective Division.

Other PSS staff members include: Director of Operations Ronald Johnson, a former Secret Service Presidential Protection agent; Clinical Psychologist Dr. Dwight Colley; Chief Firearms Instructor Ronald Kulp; Director of Canadian Training Bruce Cruikshank, former Edmonton constable; Meg Desmedt, administrative and technical support.

Gail Williams