As a process server we can get into some sticky situations with some less than outstanding citizens. With the jury selection and start of the trial of a man accused with beating a process server to death after he was served divorce papers I wanted to see what others in the profession are doing to protect themselves.
Personally I have not yet had the misfortune of running into a violent encounter during a serve but I feel confident I would be prepared for the worse. The first step I take is knowing some back round intel about the person I am serving. A quick check into their criminal history using Black Book Online can let you know if the person to be served has a violent past. Secondly no matter what the back round intel provides I am always aware of my surroundings and alert to what is going on in all directions as I approach the residence. I personally do not carry a firearm or pepper spray but I do have self defense training and worked in the bar business in some pretty rough areas of town. Most importantly after the serve is complete my head is on a swivel until I am back in my vehicle. I have the local police and sherrif of what ever area I am serving in handy incase the need arises.
I would like to hear comments from anyone who takes a different approach to making sure they are safe on the job. Our profession can be dangerous but we can also avoid a lot of problems by being knoweldgeable and prepared for any situation.
Please visit me on the web Apex Process Servers for all your process serving needs in Minnesota.
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Pursuant to Ohio law, I am licensed to carry a firearm as a private investigator. I do not carry it all the time, but I do wear my body armor either in a concealed or tactical vest with my C2 Taser.
ReplyDeletePlease visit my blog at http://offinvest.blogspot.com
I have had only one bad incident in the years that I have been Process Serving. I had a LARGE and all muscle husband to the subject I was serving come flying out of this front door, demanding that I serve her attorney and not her. He was inches from loosing control. I was able to calm him down by explaining I actually work for his wife. I stated that the only reason I was there was because it protects her civil rights and she is entitled to be informed of a action against her. This worked and I left with a handshake. I think it comes down to how you approach individuals. You get very skeptical of people in this business, but a defendant is not always a bad person. Treat each person as a person rather than as a subject or target and you will have many years of trouble free serving.
ReplyDeleteRuss at Carolina Process Server
R-E-S-P-E-C=T
ReplyDeleteIt works for me. I'm watchful of my mannerisms, my tone of voice, gestures. When I knock on a door I want to be the least imposing I can possibly be, yet I understand I may only have a few seconds to gain some ones confidence or at the very least not scare them off. At the same time I want to present myself as a professional and if *presence* is called for I can summon that up quickly. I do prep work before I head out. I try to locate photos which can be very beneficial when you start getting the run around. If you dont know what they look like you probably wont know if youre being lied to.
I keep my desk and car organized so if I have to hop out quickly every thing I need is bundled and access is at my finger tips.
A badge is a great tool in some instances for neighborhoods that make us feel a little uneasy.
In short preparation is my greates asset.