I am a retired Police Officer from the Coachella Valley and have recently moved here with my fiancé to San Diego. Prior to working in law enforcement, I was a Security Administrator for Lahontan Community Association - built by DMB Highlands Group - had a secluded and gated community, a restaurant, and all of the amenities and two golf courses (one being a professional one).

I was interested in applying for the Security Manager job at the Pendry Hotel – downtown. I completed and submitted my application as a well an attached resume per their request. I was contacted later that day at 1700 hrs. by Fred Taylor, who identified himself as the Director of Security. We played phone tag for a few days but what once we got hold of each other, he read my resume and brought up the fact that that I was retired and wanted to know why I wanted to come back to work? Not knowing if this was an interview question or if he just didn’t know I retired off an injury – I was taken back on. Anywayhow, we scheduled an interview for this week.

On Sunday I thought I would head down to the hotel to see what it looks like and check it out and may even talk to one of the security officers and pick their brain and ask things like, : How do you like working here, any issues you would like to see changed, whay did the last security manager lave and were you happy with his performance. What of work or attributes or qualities does Mr. Taylor (Director) look for in his applicants) I arrived wearing business casual attire (blue polo shirt, white slacks, black dress dhows and clean shaven. I walked up to one of the front desk attendants and explained who I was and that I was interested in taking a tour and speaking to someone in security. The receptionist was very kind and sweet and told me that someone from Human Resources usually handles that out but because none of them were there on a weekend, they’re were not able to provide me with a full tour, but she did invite me to take a “stroll’ around the hotel and to stay away from areas secured. So I walked around the hotel for a while. I get into an evaluator and was curious to see what buttons “P1 and “P2” are all about. I figured it was for the parking garages for guests and employees. When I arrived on P1, I exited and saw that it was hallway with rooms so as I got back in, a lady (who appeared to work there) asked where I was headed. I asked to push P2 to see if it was the garage as I was an applicant taking an approved tour of the hotel. She explained to me that those two levels were available to employees and I apologized for the misunderstanding and I left.

A few hours later, Fred Taylor called me and was absolutely livid. He told my that I caused so my problems that day. He went on to say things like, “Who do you think you just showing up like this?....That’s not right…That’s just not normal and absolutely unacceptable.

Coming from law enforcement, I first apologized to him and, that I mean no harm to startle any of their employees. My intention was to do a little homework before my interview. He asks why you would want to know that. (He use to be a Fire Lieutenant for the Chicago City Fire Department). I told him that at both my security and police careers, it’s normal for applications who are really interested – to want to know and see more of what they applying for. In my case, applicants wanted to either do a ride along, sit along or accessed to the property to see what it looks like but I have never held those people as red flags.

Finally, by Fred Taylor calling me on both of our days off and making me feel guilty for causing all of the these problems has just pissed me off to no end. He said that he went work to look at the surveillance. They said that they had a hard time locating me because I was all over the place. I ultimately told him that out of the disrespect he had given me, I asked for my application to be withdrawn. I told him that in my opinion, he along with whoever called him were not upset and freaking out because I, as an applicant was wondering the halls with permission, but I think everyone was upset because I somehow breached secured areas without knowing their secured areas and that at no tome did their security officers do anything about – follow me- or on foot or on video, or contact me.

I am thinking of writing a letter to either the HR Director or the GM of the hotel. What are your thoughts?

Lesson learned – I guess don’t just show up and say you want to look around- schedule something first???