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Why Off-Duty Law Enforcement Works So Well in Religious Settings

image of Female police officer in a church hallway

Security outcomes are shaped not only by coverage and data but by the psychology of safety, how employees and customers perceive their environment, the credibility of the security presence and the quality of interactions during tense situations. Read our full blog series about the psychology of safety in workplaces and communities.

Protecting Houses of Worship Without Turning Them into Fortresses

Houses of worship face a unique challenge: how to stay open and welcoming while addressing real security threats. This article explores why traditional approaches often fall short and how off-duty law enforcement offers a more balanced solution, combining behavioral expertise with community familiarity.

The Psychology of Safety: Building Security Programs That People Trust

Security guard holding a handheld radio while standing outside a building entrance.

Security outcomes are shaped not only by coverage and data but by the psychology of safety, how employees and customers perceive their environment, the credibility of the security presence and the quality of interactions during tense situations. Read our full blog series about the psychology of safety in workplaces and communities.

The Hidden Psychological Cost of Unsafe Workplaces

Person sitting alone at a desk in a dimly lit office with rows of empty cubicles.

Unsafe workplaces carry a hidden psychological cost that drives employee fear at work, disengagement and turnover long before a major incident occurs. This blog article explores how the perception of workplace safety, shaped by visible, capable security presence, directly influences whether employees feel safe at work, trust leadership and stay focused on their jobs.

Protos
Headquarters

383 Main Ave, Suite 505
Norwalk, CT 06851, USA
Phone: 203.941.4700

Protos
Headquarters

383 Main Ave, Suite 505
Norwalk, CT 06851, USA
Phone: 203.941.4700

Mark Hjelle

Chief Executive Officer

Mark Hjelle is the CEO of Security Services Holdings, LLC as well as Protos Security and its subsidiaries. Mark is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Board Member who has led large national business and facilities services firms for nearly 25 years delivering strong top- and bottom-line growth while building high-performing teams with strong culture. Most recently, he was CEO for CSC ServiceWorks, a B2B2C provider of technology-enabled consumer services. Prior to CSC, Mark was President of Brickman/Valleycrest a national provider of exterior landscape and snow removal services. Over the course of his 18-year tenure at Brickman, he held numerous leadership positions in operations, finance and business development. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government and a Law Degree from Case Western Reserve School of Law.