Newark NJ: Gateway Security Inc. has named John Hook a retired New Jersey State Police Lieutenant and 30-year veteran of the State Police to lead its training department as Gateway Security’s new Director of Compliance and Professional Standards.

“We are especially proud to have John Hook on our staff, especially with the new Security Officer Registration Act coming into effect in July,” said Gateway Security Inc. CEO Kurus Elavia. “Gateway Security has always been known for its quality training and superior security officers. Now, John’s experience and leadership will take our training discipline to the next level.”

“The new Security Officer Registration Act requires 40 hours of training for every security officer,” said John Hook, “at Gateway we see the requirements as a mandatory minimum, we will be going well past it.” Hook will lead all security training at Gateway Security Inc, which is on track to have all of their over 1,500 security officers trained well-in advance of the State’s mandated July 1 deadline.

John Hook brings extensive experience to Gateway Security in the fields of education, security management and information technology. He served as the Director of the New Jersey State Police Laboratory managing all aspects of operations including the Ballistics, Drug, Toxicology, Criminalistics and DNA Laboratory Information management System (LIMS) where he successfully developed their database and evidence tracking system effectively tracking over one million pieces of evidence from the NJ Forensic Science Bureau. Hook also was manager for the State Police Live Scan electronic fingerprinting project and spent many years in the Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

Most recently, as chairperson of the New Jersey State Police Security Officer Registration Act (SORA) he has been a driving force in improving the quality of the security officer professional service standards in the private security industry through increased selectivity, screening, training, and testing of applicants. As Director of Compliance and Professional Standards for Gateway Security, Hook will design, develop and implement a new Gateway Security Officer training program.

Gateway Security, Inc. is privately held and located in Newark, New Jersey. It delivers premium security and customer relationship services to the region’s three major airports, largest healthcare facilities, many Fortune 50 companies and international real estate management companies. The company is known for its superior customer service, expert recruitment, security training and retention of its employees. Gateway Security was recognized as the Fastest Growing Urban Company for three consecutive years by Inc. Magazine. In 2004, Gateway Security was named the New Jersey Family Business of the Year by the Rothman Institute Family Business forum at Fairleigh Dickenson University.