Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Elmore.
Hi Anthony, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started right out of high school in 2017, just as I began going to college. I worked for around 3 years as an unarmed Officer. I began studying the profession, as well as also working in other fields as a building engineer technician. This was all before transitioning over to an “Armed Guard.” I have remained a Security Professional learning the craft of working for other security companies, while also obtaining my degree at the University of Memphis & attending school as a full-time student which is no easy task.
This however gave me the ability to take care of myself, all while being able to earn my degree. I began to take things more seriously, initially when started to see firsthand how violence & high crime rate was affecting the Memphis community no matter where it happened. I realized there was a need to help our city so I asked myself, “What I could do for our community?”
What made me begin this journey to begin to start “Special Response Unit, LLC” was the lack of readiness there is with a standard security officer; as well as noticing the number of people with mental health, & substance abuse issues, the increase in mass shootings across the country, the gross negligence use of firearms. It all rang through my mind wondering what way is there to change this narrative and reduce these things.
It was a different perspective after seeing it all close up; seeing all these things I wanted to create a new level of security for professionals, & services. I began to seek further instruction and to become trained, certified, & licensed in every area there is in the security field, this expanded over into learning, as well as being advanced in first aid. I also became an Executive Bodyguard Protection Agent, and this skill set specifically propelled me forward as Security Professional.
This in combination with my Health Studies Degree, is what I realized would be the answer to creating a new narrative, this company would be that to help create more jobs, reduce the effect crime has on local businesses, and teach not only other security professionals but train local citizens who want to protect themselves. What also got me going was the desire to want to help protect others, and I wanted to do it in my way that was still the right way unlike being a vigilante.
In no shape form or way, did I seek to play hero, but I knew I was not the club/nightlife type as others are. I know many of the most dangerous, & disastrous events occurred in that nightlife space so I worked in those spaces to try to ensure people could have a safe time, I wanted to figure out how to reduce incidents that generally in the city of Memphis ended with guns being fired, and resulting in severe injury or death.
When I began, I came to see that a lot of security officers were simply untrained and did not have the knowledge to respond to any emergency needs, such as people with mental health/substance abuse issues, or be able to provide first aid to those that need it like trauma wound. This is not to say other officers are not able to have those same skill sets, but I knew I had to step up and be the first to create this and be able to teach others how to do it as I embark also to become an instructor for firearms and first aid.
Having the training, licensing, & certifications has given me the ability to provide the best security for commercial and residential businesses, Private personal protection, or Executive Bodyguard Protection for high-profile clients. Special Response Unit prices are that new standard being that true first responder for any client; whether that be protection or having to render first aid, Special Response Unit is dedicated to having trained licensed, and insured individuals whose focus is keeping our clients safe, and alive.
As of now, I will be graduating in the Fall of 2023 with a degree in Health Studies, a minor in sociology, and healthcare society. I will also be attending EMT school this fall, as well as become a firearms instructor, and stop the bleed instructor.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the biggest struggles for any business starting is creating working capital; whether that be for training, supplies, further education, etc. Some of the even more difficult trying to bring in individuals and create a team, most of all to discern those who have the desire to protect others, as well as educate themselves further in this field of work.
Another difficulty is having to face yourself and decide if what you’re doing is truly what you want to do, or if is it for other means that is to no end, it was a challenge to deal with questioning the need for security; rather am I doing something needed? I had a struggling moment to decide if this is truly what I’m going to do because people’s lives will be in my hands.
We all know for first responder services have times when those services are not exemplary, but also when businesses pay for security those services are not up to par to provide what clients need. Potential clients sometimes have commented on the rate of security, and this is because S.R.U does not rate what the typical security officer charges. The struggle in this area of business is that some clients want a person that is at a high-class professional level like “John Wick,” but those same clients are only willing to pay for “Paul Bart level” security services. This makes it difficult to do business; when clients should see that they are paying for services that keep them safe from harm & alive. I ask sometimes.
How much is your life worth protecting, and if you choose someone else are they going to have what I’m offering?” It’s difficult to provide higher-class services to clients that feel as though only having a firearm on site is enough. When in today’s time knowing and having personnel who have first aid and trauma training. Other struggles have been having the resources to find quality training which is the primary focus to ensure clients receive the best service.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Special Response Unit LLC?
I am a Health Studies major with a concentration in Administration minor in Sociology, Healthcare & Society at the University of Memphis, I am also trained and certified: Emergency Management Homeland Security FEMA C.E.R.T Personnel; Homeland Security FEMA: “You are the help until help arrives” personnel.
Homeland Security Emergency Management Institute: Active Shooter, “What you can do,” Active Shooter Prevention: “You Can Make a Difference,” I’m also a certified Executive Protection Agent, I am certified and licensed in tactical Handcuffing, Chemical Agent, Baton, Shotgun, Stun Gun, Taser. I also am Tennessee Opioid Narcan reversal trained & certified, as well as certified “Creating Safe Scenes for Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service” administration.
These are a list of my primary certifications, and I am a Security professional I specialize in keeping people safe, using different methods, and continuing my education. I’m proud I have been able to grow this business and soon will be able to teach others how to do what I do whether they want to work in the security field or simply keep themselves and their families safe in their personal lives.
What sets apart Special Response Unit from others is the training, and being able to respond to emergencies on-site being a first responder for our clients. While many security guards and companies are not taking the initiative to train and be ready.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
One way people can work or collaborate with me is by simply reaching out supporting is best done by following on social media and sharing our training & safety content.
For those interested in working, the training for security professionals or citizens is to reach out and follow the social media pages for updates and information.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.specialresponseunit.org
- Instagram: @theampelmore & @srullc
