Article Originally Published Here
In a distressing incident covered by Fox 7 Austin, security officer Percy Payne quit his job on-air after being blamed by his supervisor for an assault he suffered while on duty. The incident occurred on June 24, when Payne confronted two young males suspected of attempting to steal his car in a private underground garage in East Austin.
Incident Details:
- Payne observed the suspects on surveillance video and went to investigate, where he found them near his vehicle. The situation escalated when one suspect tried to run Payne over with a scooter and then attempted to stab him with a screwdriver.
- The confrontation, including Payne’s effort to detain the suspects and the subsequent physical altercation, was captured on security footage.
Supervisor’s Reaction:
- During an interview with Fox 7, Payne’s white female supervisor from Priebe Security Services interrupted and scolded him for speaking to the media in his uniform, which she claimed was against company policy. She accused Payne of provoking the incident, stating, “I wouldn’t have touched him! You touched him!”
- Despite Payne’s attempts to explain the circumstances and defend his actions, the supervisor blamed him for the assault, leading to his resignation on-air.
Company Response and Reputation:
- Payne expressed frustration with both the supervisor’s response and the lack of support from the police. Priebe Security Services, the company employing Payne, has since stated that they are investigating the situation. The company has a mixed reputation, with a 3.1 rating on Google and several negative reviews from former employees.
The incident highlights the challenges and lack of support faced by security personnel in dangerous situations, as well as issues related to workplace policies and management practices.
