Akal Security Exceptional Service

Akal and its employees have received important awards that reflect unlimited commitment to quality, compliance, and the integrity of our clients’ security programs. Akal has been honored as an employer and Akal employees have received awards for answering the call of duty by protecting and saving the lives of Government employees and members of the public.

BWI Head of the Airport Security Division Commends Akal

In an open leter, Jose Santiago Chavez said an able Akal team, led by Project Manager Russell Wesley, backed by a strong company, has made the five-year venture very successful. Akal security officers, willing to go "above and beyond," has helped create a stable, reliable, and professional guard force at the BWI Airport in Maryland. "During the time Akal has provided airport security, no post has been left unattended and airport management has never had to mediate a conflict between the public and a guard. I believe this to be nearly unheard of the this industry," Chavez wrote in 2009

Officer Fran Greager and the Akal FPS Team in Hawaii Commended

Akal responded quickly with a well-trained staff when the Island of Oahu was hit with back-to-back storms. FEMA officials turned for help to other federal agencies, including the Federal Protective Service and its Akal Security contract officers. Despite the holiday weekend, Officer Fran Greager and the Akal team provided a rapid response with officers who were ready for the challenge. Akal is to be commended for the professionalism of your staff, wrote Richard Kuny of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)in a Letter of Commendation in 2009.

U.S. Department of Justice Certificate of Achievement

For the fourth year in a row, the U.S. Department of Justice gave Akal a Certificate of Achievement for its accomplishements with Small Business for 2009

Scottsdale Police Department Praises Akal Officers for Diligence

Akal patrol guards earned the praise of Scottsdale, Arizona officials after discovering and resolving 31 incidents of unsecured premises at city water sites over a two-month period. Scottsdale police department says the officers efforts prevented potential loss and liability for the city, and he praised the officers diligence and initiative in 2009

Akal Supervisor Commended by FBI for Helping to Arrent an Armed Law Enforcment Officer

Special FBI Agent in Charge Nathan Thomas Gray wrote in a letter in 2009 to Akal CEO Sat Nirmal Khalsa that Kenneth E. Johnson, Site Supervisor for Akal in North Carolina, worked with the FBI on a successful plan to invite the Chief of the Triad Municipal Alcohol Beverage Control Law Enforcement Agency, Danny Burton, to a meeting at the Federal Courthouse. Once Burton arrived, Johnson coordinated a thorough screening to ensure Burton was unarmed and then escorted the still unsuspecting Burton to his nearby office, where Burton was arrested and chaged for crimes by the FBI agents, Gray said.

Akal's Chief Compliance Officer Wins National Certification

Dev Suroop K. Khalsa, Akal's Chief Compliance Officer, received national certification from the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics in 2009. Khalsa received the certification by meeting required education and work experience standards and passing a national exam. As CCO, Dev Suroop oversees Akal's commitment to contract compliance, ethics, and quality.

CSOs Commended for Capturing Runaway Horse

U.S. Marshal James Roberts commended CSOs L.K. Green and R.J. Nichols for their actions during an incident in front of the Federal Courthouse in Savannah, Georgia in 2008. A horse-drawn tour carriage with six passengers was passing the courthouse when a rod and bolt broke and the front wheels to the carriage snapped, startling the horse to a wild gallop, flipping the carriage, and spilling the passengers onto the road. Galloping and still harnessed to the front wheels, Green and Nichols positioned themselves to intercept the frightened animal and grabbed the reigns, taking control of the horse. No one was seriously injured, thanks to the actions of the CSOs. Both the local police and the tour company management commended the officers for the actions.

U.S. Department of Justice Certificate of Achievement

For the third year in a row, the U.S. Department of Justice gave Akal a Certificate of Achievement for its accomplishements with Small Business for 2008

CSOs Praised for Their Efforts During a High-Profile Civil Rights Case

CSOs Gary Wilzbacher, Gary Johnson, Michael Palermo, and Thomas Jesinski were commended by the U.S. Marshals Service in 2008. Acting U.S. Marshal Leonard Boyer for the Eastern District of Wisconsis stated in a letter that "We were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with each of the the officers. You can take pride in how these CSOs represent your office and kinow that each is welcome in this district at anytime." The case attracted intense media and public attention because it involved five police officers accused of beating a biracial man outside an off-duty police party.

CSOs Help Vermont District Win National Award

CSOs of the Federal District Court in Vermont have been honored for helping the Vermeont District of the U.S. Marshals Service win the Small District of the Year Honor for 2007. U.S. Marshal John R. Edwards, upon receiving the award, thanked Akal Contract Manager Robert Siegnious in a letter that noted their (CSOs) professionalism in greeting and inteacting with judges, court staff, lawyers, and the puglic is truly outstanding.

U.S. Department of Justice Certificate of Achievement

For the second year in a row, the U.S. Department of Justice gave Akal a Certificate of Achievement for its accomplishements with Small Business for 2007

Deputy U.S. Marshal of Cleveland, Ohio Commends CSOs during Gang Trials

Deputy U.S. Marshal Ross Wilber commended CSOs Stan Difford, Jim Edens, and Bill Hammond for their strict enforcement of tight security measures during volitile trials of a Cleveland gang and one of its leaders. "Their initiative and consistency kept violence from erupting at the trials and put a stop to any and all problems that may have been planned for the courtroom," Wilber wrote.

U.S. Department of Justice Certificate of Achievement

The U.S. Department of Justice gave Akal a Certificate of Achievement for its accomplishements with Small Business for 2006

Large Employer of the Year Award

Akal was given the Large Employer of the Year Award by the Disabled American Veterans Association for 2005

Akal Security Named "Employer of the Year” by State of Texas

Akal Security, Inc. was named the 2005 Texas Workforce Employer of the Year at the Ninth Annual Texas Workforce Conference held from November 2 through 4 in Houston. Akal, nominated by the Central Texas Workforce Board, also won an Employer Award of Excellence.

Large Employer National Award

Disabled American Veterans gave Akal at Fort Hood the "Large Employer National Award" for 2004

Akal Recognized for High Ethical Standards

In February 2003, Akal was chosen as a finalist for the 2003 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Business Ethics Award by the BBB of Central/Northern Arizona. Akal was one of three finalists in the 50-99 Employees Category.

The Business Ethics Award recognizes businesses for their demonstrated high standards of ethical conduct and practices. The program was established to honor outstanding businesses whose commitment to ethical business practices help to uphold a fair marketplace. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges comprised of community leaders.

CSO of The Year Awards

Each year the U.S. Marshals Service recognizes outstanding employees for valor, distinguished service, contributions to the Equal Employment Opportunity program, and special acts deserving commendation. We are proud of the dedication of these professionals:

2008 - CSO William Germani of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Akal CSO William Germani of the Sixth Judicial Circuit was awarded 2008 Harry Belluomini CSO of the Year by the U.S. Marshals Service for his brave action jumping inside a large, moving, driverless delivery truck, rolling down a hill and headed for a busy intersection, stoppinig a potential accident. CSO Germani was also commended for his keen observation and notification to the bomb squad when he saw a court visitor place a suspicious package of red liquid and wires near the back of the court room. CSO Germani's actions in both situations prevented potential injury to others.

2007 - CSO John Robinson Akal CSO John Robinson was awarded 2007 Harry Belluomini CSO of the Year by the U.S. Marshals Service for his actions stopping an armed man at the entrance to the Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse in Cleveland. Robinson found the weapon upon searching an unattended bike parked in the courthouse rotunda and confronted the man who left the bike. The convicted felon punched Robinson, leaving a gash under this eye. Robinson chased the fleeing suspect and caught him in a revolving door.

2006 - CSO Roger McClenny, U.S. District Court Kansas City, Kansas Akal CSO Roger McClenny was awarded 2006 Harry Belluomini CSO of the Year by the U.S. Marshals Service at the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, for his actions when a defendant suddenly ran to the front of the courtroom and attempted to stab the probation officer with a pen. McClenny confronted the defendant and prevented the attack. Marshals took the defendant into custody.

2005 - CSO Joseph Gese, Western District of Washington (Seattle) CSO Joseph Gese was awarded 2005 Harry Belluomini CSO of the Year by the U.S. Marshals Service for heroic actions when a deranged person entered the courthouse then removed a hand grenade from his backpack. CSO Gese was instrumental in isolating and negotiating with the individual in the courthouse lobby while the other CSOs and USMS personnel evacuated the courthouse and deployed their armed response. Eventually the Seattle SWAT Team shot and killed the individual.

2004 - CSO Adrian Perez, Southern District of Texas CSO Adrian Perez was awarded 2004 Harry Belluomini CSO of the Year by the U.S. Marshals Service. CSO Perez was honored both locally and nationally for his actions outside the Corpus Christi Federal Courthouse when 81-year-old Walter Kloesel pulled up to the courthouse and left his vehicle with a .410 shotgun. Police say he fired two shots toward the bay then turned around and fired two shots at the courthouse. That's when court security officer Adrian Perez sprung into action. "I timed my run to where I figured I could stop the man before he reloaded and shot at me," said Perez. He knocked Kloesel to the ground and took the shot gun from him. Kloesel was then taken into custody.p>

2003 - CSO Robert Booher and LCSO Ronald Tatro Jointly awarded 2003 Harry Belluomini CSOs of the Year.

2001 - Joseph Carrieri For safely evacuating employees and other Southern District of New York citizens from the court structures at Foley Square on September 11, 2001.

2000 - James Carman CSO James Carman, assigned to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Little Rock, Arkansas, was awarded the Harry Belluomini Court Security Officer of the Year award. Carman was honored for saving the life of U.S. District Judge Henry Woods after he collapsed on the way to his vehicle following a meeting at the courthouse. Assigned to escort Judge Woods to his car, Carman radioed for medical assistance, requested additional CSO support and administered CPR until EMTs arrived at the scene.

1999 - Phil Tortorici In 1999, CSO Phil Tortorici of the Southern District of Florida received the Harry Belluomini Court Security Officer of the Year award for effective, courageous emergency medical assistance provided Judge Lenore Nesbitt. When Judge Nesbitt lost consciousness, Officer Tortorici immediately administered CPR, restored her heartbeat and breathing and continued until an ambulance arrived. Judge Nesbitt credits Officer Tortoricic with saving her live.