The important relationships between risk analysis, facility security planning and co-ordination among port stakeholders – including the public and private sector businesses involved – provide the framework for understanding the pivotal role of security managers, security personnel and law enforcement in ensuring the safety and security of port users and their interests.
Running to 336 pages, Dr Kenneth Christopher’s latest tome entitled Port Security Management (ISBN 142006892X) addresses this matter, beginning with an historical and organisational perspective on maritime and port security and then going on to discuss the management of risk assessment (neatly presenting this within the context of the unique vulnerabilities experienced by the maritime and port environments).
Christopher’s tome cleverly addresses the ground-level issues, tasks and responsibilities that must be taken care of by the security manager in concert with the port director and local law enforcement agencies.
The author explores the growth of multi-use port facilities for recreation, hospitality, and external business and commercial interests. There’s also a series of interesting perspectives on the role of technology in security.
Christopher ends his work by examining how to develop and co-ordinate contingency and emergency operations plans that will work effectively with all Stakeholders.
Qualified to talk on the subject
Dr Kenneth Christopher holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s and doctorate degrees in public administration. He has worked for 26 years in law enforcement, most recently as captain with the Miami-Dade Police Department.
From 1996 to 2006, he held various positions of increasing responsibility in policing and security at the Port of Miami. This culminated in his appointment as chief of seaport security enforcement and facility security officer responsible for the Port Facility Security Plan, leadership for the civilian security staff and the co-ordination of security and law enforcement operations at the world’s largest passenger cruise port.
Previously, Christopher worked with the US Maritime Administration and the Organisation of American States as a curriculum developer and instructor in the Inter-American Port Security Training Programme.
Currently, Dr Christopher is assistant professor and programme co-ordinator for criminal justice at Park University, which provides educational services to 26,000 students on over 40 campus centres across the US. He has also held teaching positions at Lynn University, and the St Thomas University in Florida.
Port security and the Homeland Security concept
The term Homeland Security barely existed before September 11 2001, yet today it dominates public policy and the economic agendas of world Governments.
The transportation industries have been subjected to unprecedented scrutiny and regulatory mandates in recent years, and the port and maritime sectors are no exception to that rule.
Indeed, Port Security Management reflects this altered landscape of the post-9/11 era.
Key features of Christopher’s work
The contents: chapter and verse
Part 1: History and organisation of port and maritime security
Part 2: Risk management, planning and co-ordination of port security
Part 3: Implementing a plan for port security: management tasks and responsibilities
Managing technology solutions for port facility security
Systemic management for a secure and viable port facility
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