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Service & Recognition

Service & Recognition

Helping Communities and
Honoring Special Service

Frontline security officers are the foundation of our industry — the professionals whose vigilance, judgment, and everyday courage make our companies what they are. Their work strengthens communities, protects people, and embodies the very purpose of security. The Ligue believes that extraordinary service deserves meaningful recognition, and that giving back is inseparable from our mission to help build safer, more resilient societies. Through our awards programs and our biennial charitable giving at the General Assembly, we honor exceptional contributions and invest in the communities our members serve. These initiatives reflect a simple truth: security is not only about safeguarding assets, but about elevating the people and places that depend on us.

Jorgen-Philipp Sorenson Award

Every day, around the world, security teams play a critical role in the safety of societies. They secure workplaces, schools, shopping malls, and communities — and they are the lifeblood of our organizations. To spotlight their commitment to the public’s safety, the extraordinary work of security employees is spotlighted biennially at the Ligue's General Assembly.

In honor of the long-standing, former Chairman and President of the International Security Ligue, the "Jørgen Philip-Sørensen Award" is presented to an individual(s) selected among nominees by member companies for Exceptional Leadership in the Security Industry.

2025

It was due to Darrian’s heroism that she escaped and is with her family today. His leadership exemplifies the highest standards and is representative of the collective work we all do to make the world a safer place. — Chrissy Toskos, Chief Human Resources Officer for Securitas North America
For his bravery, quick thinking, and calm under pressure, Darrian Hardy, a Securitas security officer in the U.S., received the Jorgen-Philipp Sorenson Award during the International Security Ligue’s 39th General Assembly this week in New York City.
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In the early morning hours of a July day in Chicago, Darrian Hardy working his post at a downtown hotel, responded to a noise complaint about a woman screaming in the hallway. Officer Hardy took immediate action. He notified the police and the hotel manager on duty, assisted police to the scene, obtained a key card, and helped them get inside the hotel room. In the aftermath, Officer Hardy’s testimony was essential for bringing the human trafficker to justice — someone who was wanted for multiple kidnappings.

Ligue Chairman Magnus Ahlqvist andLigue Secretary General Armin Berchtold joined in presenting Mr. Hardy with the award, noting they were pleased to continue the Ligue's long tradition of honoring the critical role of security professionals in society by spotlighting hsi extraordinary achievements.

2023

The Ligue was proud to recognize employees from Securitas Denmark for their critical role in responding to an active shooter event on 3 July 2022 at Fields, the largest shopping mall in Denmark with 1.3 million square feet. Complicated by the presence of an enormous crowd for a Harry Styles concert, many of whom had gathered in the mall’s food court for a pre-concert meal, the severe terror incident would have been much worse if not for the quick response and skill of multiple Securitas Denmark team members.

Three people were killed in the random attack and four more were seriously wounded by gunfire. Securitas Denmark employees played a direct and critical role in responding and managing the crisis, including working with responding police, providing situational awareness, crowd control and assistance, and helping to secure locations in the area in the event of additional shooters.

Claus Fibiger, CEO Securitas Denmark, presented the award and a financial gift of 4,500 CHF to Securitas Denmark employees, which included officers at the scene, managers, and security operations center staff.  “It is just one example of the positive impact security professionals have around the world,” said Ligue Chairman Magnus Ahlqvist during the ceremony in Zurich.

2019

Two securiity officers, both exhibiting extraordinary bravery, received the Ligue’s Jorgen Philip Sorenson Award in Sintra, Spain.

G4S UK officers Riasat Mahmood and Meluleki Ndlovu were honored for their swift, life‑saving response at the Pudsey Job Centre. When a member of the public attempted to take his own life by climbing over an open stairwell with a rope around his neck, Officer Mahmood intervened immediately, with Officer Ndlovu joining to pull the man back to safety. Their actions prevented a fatality, and were honored for their courage and professionalism.
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The Ligue also recognized Securitas Spain officer and K9 handler Fernando Antonio Claramonte Murgia (pctured) for his decisive actions during a dangerous incident at Barcelona’s Sants Station. After intervening to protect a woman from escalating harassment, Fernando prevented the aggressor from throwing himself onto the tracks, pulling him back with the help of nearby passengers as a train entered the station. He then restrained the man, coordinated with Metro security, and supported police on their arrival — a calm, professional response that unquestionably saved a life.

Charitable Giving

Every two years, the International Security Ligue strengthens its commitment to community well‑being by supporting a host‑city organization whose work advances safety, resilience, and inclusion. Through a substantial collective donation from member companies, the Ligue invests directly in the communities where it gathers — reflecting the profession’s core mission of protecting people, uplifting vulnerable groups, and contributing to stronger, more resilient societies.

2025

Security is about more than just creating a safe environment — it’s about empowering communities to thrive. Our partnership with New York Cares will help deliver critical services to New Yorkers in need and help drive positive change. — Armin Berchtold, Secretary General of the Ligue
The International Security Ligue presented a $25,000 donation to New York Cares to help deliver critical services to New Yorkers in need and help drive positive change.

New York Cares is the city’s largest volunteer network, and since 1987 it has engaged over 800,000 volunteers in more than 20,000 service projects. New York Cares partners with more than 500 non-governmental organizations to provide an avenue for people wanting to make a positive difference.
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In selecting New York Cares, Ligue leadership noted that the charity develops programs that stem directly from needs in the community, a mission that resonates with Ligue. Among other initiatives, New York Cares will allocate the Ligue donation to its ‘Stand with Students’ effort to bolster programs in under-resourced public schools and includes training for volunteer tutors for individualized instruction to high-need children.

2023

Securitas AG, a Swiss family company providing security services with a head office in Zollikofen, selected the Swiss Red Cross to receive a substantial donation of 25,000 CHF from the Ligue to support the agency’s humanitarian efforts. The group is Switzerland’s oldest humanitarian organization, with 53,000 volunteers and four rescue organizations.

President Barbara Schmid-Federer was on hand at the Ligue’s General Assembly to accept the donation and provide insight into their work, which focuses on increasing resilience and supporting victims in rapidly developing crises. The agency has launched or expanded 64 projects for refugees to aid individuals impacted by the invasion of Ukraine, including 17,000 cash contributions to help to restore dignity and immediately provide victims the means to address critical individual needs. Additionally, Swiss Red Cross placed 3,800 refugees in temporary shelters and provided 10,000 home care visits to thousands of elderly people.

In Turkey and Syria, where a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated areas of both countries on 6 February 2023, the Swiss Red Cross provided direct search and rescue services which resulted in rescue dogs finding and saving 39 trapped individuals.

2019

Prosegur, a multinational security company headquartered in Madrid, Spain, selected the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) to receive the  Ligue’s gift of 25,000 euro. Founded in 1990, APAV provides an integrated support system for victims of crime, and provides victims and their families with free, qualified, and confidential services.

APAV offers both telephone and web-based helplines and operates a network of 20 Victim Support Offices in Portugal. On average, APAV provides support to more than 100 individuals every week through 64 community-based services — and the demand on its services is ever-growing. Between 2016 and 2018, the number of APAV interviews with victims increased by 31%. Practical support to victims may include educating them how and to whom toreport a crime, helping steer them through the criminal justice process, and explaining options for redress of lost wages due to victimization.

“We provide victims with the emotional, financial, judicial, psychological, and practical support to mitigate the impact of crime,” explained João Lázaro, executive president of the APAV, who was on hand at the Ligue's General Assembly to accept the donation. Additionally, APAV engages in efforts to prevent crime and violence, conducts social advocacy on behalf of victims of crime, and works to influence policy to improve support for crime victims.