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Dear Employee:
This booklet—the Command
Security Corporation CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS—has
been prepared to provide a clear understanding of the Company’s
position on business conduct. While the booklet details conduct expected
of each of us and standards to follow in our business dealings with others,
no code or policy can spell out the appropriate conduct and ethical behavior
for every situation with which we are confronted. In the final analysis,
we have to rely on our own common sense, good judgment and conscience.
Therefore, this booklet is intended to provide guidelines to assist us
in our work for the Company. It is not intended to comprehensively address
the personnel policies and practices of the Company, and you should consult
with your supervisor or the Human Resources Department if you have any
questions with respect to any of these policies and practices.
At Command Security, we expect all employees to conduct themselves according
to the highest standards of business ethics and integrity. Adherence
to these principles is important in order to maintain public trust and
confidence in our Company. An action that appears to be unethical can
reflect negatively upon every employee and harm our community standing.
It should be understood by everyone—there are no good reasons for
unethical behavior or failure to comply with Company policies or the
laws applicable to our business.
Command Security takes great pride in the high level of integrity and business
ethics displayed by our employees. We hope and expect that the publication
of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will help foster and maintain
this tradition.
Sincerely, ____________________
Barry I. Regenstein
President
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
INTRODUCTION
It is the policy and commitment of Command Security Corporation and
all of its subsidiaries (“Command Security,” or the “Company”)
to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and business ethics in
the operation of our Company. These standards are set forth in the pages
that follow and are reflected in the character and the conduct of our
employees. We urge you to become thoroughly familiar with the contents
of this booklet—the Command Security Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics (which is sometimes referred to simply as the “Code”)—and
to use it as a guideline in the performance of your responsibilities
for the Company. We also encourage you to seek assistance either from
your supervisor or from the Human Resources Department when a question
or concern arises with respect to any matter addressed in this material.
This booklet is divided into four sections, each of which contains specific
guidance with respect to Company conduct. As you will see, these sections
can be summarized in the following general principles, which should guide
each of us in the performance of our day-to-day business responsibilities:
• Avoid outside activities or influences which conflict with the best
interests of the Company or impair the performance of your work responsibilities;
• Conduct business in accordance with the letter, spirit and intent
of applicable laws, regulations and policies;
• Maintain confidentiality of customer, employee and Company information;
• Be honest and trustworthy in your relationships with customers,
suppliers, fellow employees, management, stockholders and the general public;
• Provide service of the highest quality;
• Refrain from using the Company’s resources and reputation
for personal gain;
• Be economical in using Company resources.
These principles are fundamental to the operation of every quality enterprise.
If they appear obvious, it is because they make common sense to anyone
who takes pride in the performance of his or her job for the Company.
The Company may change and update this Code, as necessary, to address
specific requirements relating to various functions and areas of responsibility.
This Code may also be supplemented from time to time by separate communications
regarding specific regulatory developments or other matters.
The last page of this booklet contains a statement of understanding and
compliance, which must be signed and returned to the Human Resources
Department. The statement simply says that you have read the Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and have adhered to the principles and policies
contained in the booklet for the fiscal year just ended, and will do
so in the future.
Each employee is required to sign and return the statement. If you believe
that you cannot, in good faith, sign the statement, you must advise your
supervisor or the Human Resources Department, or our Director of Compliance,
of the reason(s) you believe you are unable to do so.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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I. |
CONFLICTS
OF INTEREST...................................................................................... |
4 |
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A. |
Gifts and Gratuities.................................................................................................. |
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B. |
Meals and Entertainment......................................................................................... |
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C. |
Outside Employment............................................................................................... |
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D. |
Personal Financial Interests...................................................................................... |
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E. |
Purchase of Goods and
Services............................................................................. |
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F. |
Political Contributions.............................................................................................. |
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II. |
CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION............................................................................ |
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A. Confidential
Information........................................................................................... |
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B. Securities
Trading Policy........................................................................................... |
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C. Media
Disclosure..................................................................................................... |
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III. |
RECORDS,
PRACTICES, PROPERTY AND ADHERENCE TO LAW..................... |
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A. Company
Data, Records, Reports and Financial Practices........................................ |
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B. Company
Funds and Property.................................................................................. |
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C. Adherence
to Applicable Law.................................................................................. |
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IV. |
COMPETITION......................................................................................................... |
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A. Compliance
with Antitrust Laws.............................................................................. |
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B. Fair Methods
of Competition................................................................................... |
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V. |
COMPLIANCE
WITH THE CODE............................................................................ |
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A. Responsibility
for Compliance................................................................................... |
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B. Reporting
Violations.................................................................................................. |
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C. Investigating
and Resolving Concerns......................................................................... |
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D. Questions.................................................................................................................. |
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E. Certification............................................................................................................... |
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Employee
Statement................................................................................................................... |
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I. CONFLICTS
OF INTEREST
Command Security respects the right of its
employees to engage in activities outside of their employment, which
do not conflict with the business of the Company and which do not draw
direct or indirect benefits from the Company. Conflicts of interest arise
when the personal interests of an employee (including members of the
employee’s immediate
family) are inconsistent with the responsibilities of his or her employment.
For these purposes, your immediate family would include your spouse
and minor children and any other relative or person who lives in your
home, and includes common-law or domestic partners. Examples of conflicts
of interest include any activity, interest or association that might
influence, or even appear to influence, the independent exercise of
an employee’s judgment in making a decision or taking an action
which is in the best interests of the Company, its stockholders and
the public. The following categories cover the most common situations
(but by no means all situations) in which a conflict of interest may
arise.
A. Gifts and Gratuities
Employees, including members of their immediate families, should not
request or accept any gift, rebate, kickback, compensation or remuneration
of any kind (whether in the form of cash, property, services or payment
of expenses) from any organization or individual which supplies to, purchases
from or competes with the Company, or from any organization or individual
with which the Company does or is likely to do business.
This prohibition does not apply to routine two-way exchanges of normal
business courtesies, which might reasonably be expected to be exchanged
in the ordinary course of business. Thus, in certain cases, because of
protocol or courtesy, it may be appropriate to accept an unsolicited
gift of nominal value. As a general guideline for helping you to determine
whether any particular gift, entertainment or other benefit is appropriate,
you should consider whether it would be considered extravagant or excessive
or whether a disinterested third party might infer that it could affect
your judgment. If so, the gift, entertainment or other benefit should
not be accepted. The receipt of gratuities such as gifts or entertainment
of more than nominal value, money, loans, vacations, airline tickets
or hotel accommodations is prohibited. Under no circumstances whatsoever
should any Command Security employee accept cash gifts from any supplier
or vendor of goods or services to the Company. If a gift or gratuity
such as those described is received, it should be promptly returned with
a polite note explaining that it is contrary to Company policy to accept
it.
Similarly, it is also against the Company’s policy, and in many
instances a violation of law, for payments or gifts to be made or offered
by any employee to influence any decision to be made or action to be
taken in securing or transacting Company business with another individual
or organization.
A more detailed discussion including specific guidelines for the giving
or acceptance of gifts by Company employees is set forth in the Company’s
Legal Compliance Manual. No gift may be given or received except in accordance
with those guidelines or with the prior approval of our Director of Compliance.
If you receive any gift, entertainment or other benefit which does not
comply with the Company’s policy, or are unsure whether it complies,
it should be reported in writing to the Company’s Human Resources
Department, which, in consultation with our Director of Compliance, may
choose to accept the gift on behalf of the Company, determine that it
is appropriate for you to keep the gift, or require that the gift be
returned.
The issue of gifts and gratuities also has significant legal implications
when the government or a governmental agency, either within or outside
the U.S., is involved, and serious consequences can result from mishandling
these relationships. The Company’s Prohibition of Gifts and Gratuities
and Other Legal Acts Policy sets forth state-specific laws and regulations
for the giving of gifts, gratuities or other things of value in those
states in which we have lottery contracts. It is your responsibility
to become familiar with this Policy, as supplemented from time to time,
as it relates to your position with the Company.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding the giving or acceptance
of gifts or gratuities, we urge you to contact our Human Resources Department
or the Director of Compliance.
B. Meals and Entertainment
As part of the performance of an employee’s responsibilities, providing
or accepting meals and refreshments which are business-related, are reasonable,
and are normally exchanged in the ordinary course of business is permitted
as an exchange of normal business courtesies. However, acceptance of
such meals or other amenities is prohibited when the employee has, or
should have, any reason to believe that the offer is made with the intent
to improperly influence the employee in the performance of his or her
responsibilities for the Company.
The solicitation of entertainment from an individual or organization
through special events such as sporting events, social dinner meetings
or other social events is not to be used or even suggested as a prerequisite
for that individual or organization to do business with the Company.
However, such entertainment may occasionally be accepted or extended
by employees when appropriate for business objectives and when such entertainment
has been or is likely to be mutually extended during the course of the
business relationship. Elaborate entertainment, such as overnight or
weekend trips, is not to be extended by or accepted by Company employees.
C. Outside Employment
Any outside employment or business activities engaged in by employees
must not conflict with, or appear to conflict with, or interfere with,
the employee’s ability to properly perform his or her work at the
Company. Employees may not perform work or services for, or have any
independent business relationship with, any individual or organization
which supplies to, purchases from or competes with the Company, unless
specifically approved in advance, in writing, by the Executive Committee
of the Company’s Board of Directors.
The solicitation or performance of any outside work for personal gain
during Company working hours is prohibited. The performance of certain
charitable activities may be permissible during working hours with the
prior approval of the employee’s supervisor.
D. Personal Financial Interests
A conflict with the interests of the Company arises when an employee,
or a member of the employee’s immediate family, holds a substantial
investment or other financial interest in any organization which supplies
to, purchases from or competes with the Company. Any such financial interest
is prohibited unless specifically approved in advance, in writing, by
the Director of Compliance. Such a prohibited financial interest might
arise, by way of example, through:
• Ownership of stock or other equity securities, partnership interests,
participation rights or other proprietary interests, or debt or debt securities.
• Receipt of remuneration, commissions, or brokerage, finders, consulting
or advisory fees.
• Holding office, serving on a Board of Directors, or otherwise participating
in management.
• Borrowing money (other than loans from banks or other commercial
lending institutions in the usual manner in the ordinary course of such
institutions’ business).
• Ownership of any interest in, or any dealing in, real estate, equipment,
materials or property where the opportunity for such investment is presented
to the employee solely or substantially as a result of his or her position
with the Company or where the individual stands to gain financially due
to his or her position with the Company, whether or not such activities
are detrimental to the Company’s best interests.
Certain types of financial interests will generally not be considered
substantial or material, such as ownership of less than one-half of one
percent (0.5%) of any publicly traded class of stock, debt or other securities.
Investments in mutual funds or similar investment vehicles in which you
do not directly influence the selection, sale, or purchase of a particular
security will not typically present the same likelihood of a conflict
of interest as a direct investment, and are generally permissible.
E. Purchase of Goods and Services
Each year the Company spends millions of dollars in the purchase of goods
and services from outside vendors and suppliers. All Company employees
involved in the process of purchasing such goods and services should
be objective and impartial when making purchasing-related decisions.
To remain fair and impartial in making decisions, employees involved
in these processes should:
• Follow established policies and procedures for all steps of the
purchasing process.
• Not engage in “backdoor selling” when doing business
with vendors and suppliers. Backdoor selling occurs when vendors and suppliers
circumvent established procedures and attempt to work directly with requisitioners
and to influence purchasing decisions.
• As already discussed in detail, neither seek nor accept gratuities,
favors or other payments from vendors or suppliers as an inducement to
do business.
• Not use Company funds to make personal purchases.
From time to time, situations may arise where an immediate family member
or other relative of an employee is interested in providing goods or
services to the Company. To avoid any conflict of interest or even the
appearance of impropriety with respect to such a situation, any such
proposals should be submitted to the appropriate department of the Company,
disclosing the nature of the family relationship and the terms of the
proposal. Under no circumstances should the employee attempt to influence
or be involved with any decision with respect to any such proposal, which
will only be considered on an arm’s length basis along with other
similar proposals.
F. Political Contributions
Political activity represents another area where the rules on permissible
activities are complex and you could inadvertently run afoul of such
rules. As a result, you may not contribute in our Company’s name or on our Company’s
behalf any cash, services or property of any kind for or in support of any
political candidate, committee, initiative or activity without the prior express
approval of the Compliance Officer or appropriate legal counsel. No lobbying
effort or contract shall be undertaken in our Company’s name or on our
Company’s behalf without the prior approval of our Board of Directors.  II. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
A. Confidential Information
As employees of Command Security, we are all responsible for protecting
the Company’s confidential information and using that information
only for Company’s purposes. All information developed within the
Company with respect to its business is confidential and should not be
disclosed to any unauthorized person. Employees should not discuss confidential
Company information outside the Company, even with their families. Such
information must be protected because unauthorized disclosure could destroy
its value to the Company and give unfair advantage to others. Examples
of Company confidential information include, without limitation, bids,
business proposals and contracts, budgets, computer software, codes,
data files and security information, trade secrets, non-public revenue
or earnings results and any other non-public information concerning the
Company’s financial, legal or other business activities. Other
information that we have access to may include personal information about
our fellow employees, the Company’s officers, directors and stockholders
or our customers. This information is also confidential and may not be
disclosed without proper authorization. The Company’s customers
properly expect that this information will be kept confidential. Command
Security takes any violation of a customer’s confidentiality very
seriously and will not tolerate such conduct.
B. Securities Trading Policy
Many of us who work at the Company, officers and non-officers alike,
have access to confidential information concerning the Company and its
affairs. Under federal securities laws, if someone possesses non-public
information, which is found to be “material,” that person
may not buy or sell the Company’s securities while in the possession
of such “inside information.” For these purposes, the Company’s
securities include the securities purchased upon the exercise of Company
stock options.
The legal standard which applies to the use of such information is one
of “materiality.” If the confidential information is “material” or,
in other words, of such significance that a reasonable outside investor
would want to know about it when deciding whether or not to invest in
or dispose of Company securities, then we, as employees, must not trade
in Company securities until the information is appropriately disclosed
to the public in a press release or SEC report. It is also illegal to
communicate (to “tip”) inside information to others so that
they may trade in Company securities based upon that information. These
illegal activities are commonly referred to as “insider trading.” Failing
to abide by this standard could result in liability under the insider
trading rules of the federal securities laws.
Examples of material information include, but are not limited to:
• financial and business data;
• merger, acquisition or divestiture discussions or developments;
• award or cancellation of a major contract;
• gain or loss of a substantial customer or supplier;
• changes in upper management personnel;
• forecasts of financial results; and
• significant litigation.
For additional guidance regarding policies and procedures relating to trading
in Company securities, employees should consult the Company’s Securities
Trading Policy.
C. Media Disclosure
In the course of our duties, we may receive inquiries from representatives
of the news media. Unless responding to such inquiries is among our specifically
authorized responsibilities, we should politely refer all media representatives
to our Director of Communications.
III. RECORDS, PRACTICES, PROPERTY AND ADHERENCE TO LAW
A. Company Data, Records, Reports and Financial Practices
In performing our responsibilities for the Company, we must prepare and/or
complete all Company records, business data, reports, filings, submissions
and documents in a full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable
manner. These include such routine documents as time sheets and expense
reports. They also include accounting entries, cost estimates, contract
proposals and other presentations and reports to management, customers,
governmental agencies, stockholders and the public. The falsification
of records, manual or computer, is always unethical, generally illegal
and always unacceptable to the Company. All information transmitted
both within and outside of the Company must be honest and well-founded,
as the integrity of the Company’s records and reports is based
on the validity, accuracy and completeness with which they are prepared.
In addition, all Company financial practices concerning accounting,
internal accounting controls and auditing matters must meet the highest
standards of professionalism, transparency and honesty.
B. Company Funds and Property
We are all personally responsible and accountable for the proper expenditure
of Company funds. This includes Company money spent on travel or other
business expenses.
We are also responsible for the proper use and care of Company property
over which we have control. Company equipment or other property should
be handled and cared for properly. It should not be used for personal
benefit, sold, loaned, given away or otherwise disposed of, regardless
of its condition or value, without proper authorization.
C. Adherence to Applicable Law
The Company requires that all employees, officers and directors, and
any third party doing business on behalf of the Company, comply with
all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company wherever
it does business. You are expected to use good judgment and common
sense in seeking to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations
and to ask for advice when you are uncertain about them. For a more
detailed discussion of these requirements, please refer to the Company’s
Legal Compliance Manual.
IV. COMPETITION
We are committed to competing effectively, but lawfully, in our business
markets.
A. Compliance with Antitrust Laws
The Company and its employees must comply with the antitrust and
unfair competition laws of the countries in which our Company engages
in business. These laws vary by country and can be complex. If you
have a role that may implicate the antitrust laws – such as a sales and marketing
executive position – you
are responsible for knowing the laws that apply to these business activities,
and should speak to our Compliance Officer if any question arises. Generally,
these laws prohibit or regulate mergers and acquisitions, attempts to monopolize
or otherwise restrain trade, selling products below cost, price discrimination,
price fixing or other agreements with competitors that would divide or allocate
customers or otherwise harm customers, certain kinds of “tying” arrangements
that require a customer who wishes to buy a given product to buy other products
or services, artificially maintaining prices, and certain other restrictive
agreements or arrangements. Our employees may not exchange non-public sales
information with competitors for the purpose of affecting sales prices or
levels.
B. Fair Methods of Competition
The Company is committed to competition on a lawful and ethical basis. You
may not use improper or illegal means of gaining competitive information that
is confidential or proprietary information owned by others. You may not use
or disclose confidential or proprietary information that you may have from
past employment with other employers.
V. COMPLIANCE
WITH THE CODE
A. Responsibility for Compliance
Every employee is responsible for compliance with both the letter and
the spirit of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Members of management
assume a special obligation for their own awareness and the effective
communication of this Code to employees who report to them. This Code
will be distributed to each new employee of the Company upon commencement
of his or her employment. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to
maintain an open-door policy in responding to questions regarding this
Code. Frequent discussion of ethical issues, both informally and formally,
is a sign of good corporate practice. These responsibilities cannot be
delegated.
B. Reporting Violations
Any employee who knows or believes that any employee, officer, director
or other representative of the Company has engaged or is engaging
in conduct related to the Company that violates applicable law, this
Code or any other code or practice standard applicable to such an
individual, should report this information to his or her supervisor,
the Human Resources Department or our Director of Compliance, in
person or by sending a letter or other writing to the Company’s principal executive offices to
the attention of the employee’s supervisor, the Human Resources
Department or the Director of Compliance. You may choose to remain
anonymous in reporting any possible violation of this Code. Any
supervisor who receives a report of a violation of this Code must
immediately inform the Human Resources Department or the Director
of Compliance.
Employees concerned about matters involving accounting, internal
accounting controls or auditing matters should consult the Command
Security Policy for Raising and Investigating Concerns Regarding
Accounting, Internal Accounting Controls and Auditing Matters for
guidance on how to raise their concerns and the procedures the Company
will use to investigate such matters. As described in that Policy,
complaints regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters
may be submitted confidentially and anonymously through [subject
to update]. While it is generally the Company’s desire to address
matters internally in the first instance in order to investigate
the relevant circumstances and respect employee confidentiality,
nothing in this Code should discourage you from reporting any illegal
activity, including any violation of the securities laws, antitrust
laws, environmental laws or any other federal, state or foreign law,
rule or regulation, to the appropriate regulatory authority. This
Code should not be construed to prohibit you from testifying, participating
or otherwise assisting in any state or federal administrative, judicial
or legislative proceeding or investigation.
C. Investigating and Resolving Concerns
All
reports of possible violations will be forwarded to the Human
Resources Department or the Director of Compliance. The Company’s General
Counsel may, in his or her discretion, assume responsibility for evaluating
any possible violation and directing or conducting any investigation,
or may delegate any portion of such responsibility to the Human Resources
Department or another person or entity within or outside the Company.
If the investigation concerns a possible violation by the General Counsel,
then the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer will assume
the General Counsel’s responsibilities in this regard. All
reports of possible violations will be handled with the utmost care
and receive a thorough review. Generally, investigations of possible
violations will include, at a minimum, interviews of all persons
believed to have information relating to the issues raised and review
of any applicable Company records or filings.
After conducting the investigation, the results will be evaluated and
the Company will authorize such swift response, follow-up and preventive
actions, if any, as are deemed necessary and appropriate to address the
substance of the reported possible violation. The Company reserves the
right to take whatever action it believes appropriate, up to and including
discharge of any employee determined to have engaged in improper conduct,
subject to any applicable legal and other requirements. The Company will
quickly report illegal actions to the appropriate authorities, which
may result in civil and criminal penalties for you, your colleagues and/or
the Company.
Regardless of whether the report of a possible violation is submitted
anonymously, the Company will strive to keep all reports of possible
violations and the identity of those who submit them and participate
in any investigation as confidential as possible. Neither the Company
nor any person employed with the Company shall discharge, demote, suspend,
threaten, harass or in any other manner discipline, discriminate or retaliate
against any person because he or she reports any violations or cooperates
in any investigation or inquiry regarding violations of applicable law
or this Code using the methods outlined above, unless it is determined
that the report or cooperation was not in good faith. Any such retaliation
will warrant disciplinary action against the person who wrongfully retaliates,
up to and including termination of employment, subject to any applicable
legal and other requirements.
The Human Resources Department will retain records of all reports of
possible violations, and a summary of the matters involved and the disposition
thereof, for five years or such longer period as may be deemed appropriate
or legally required under the circumstances.
D. Questions
Any employee having any questions regarding the best course of action
in a particular situation should promptly contact his or her supervisor,
the Human Resources Department or the Director of Compliance. These discussions
may concern your activities or activities of others and may involve apparent
conflicts between actions the employee has been directed to take and
the standards contained in this Code.
E. Certification
Each employee is required to certify the employee’s understanding
of and compliance with the terms of this Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics by signing the sheet at the back of this booklet and returning
it to the Human Resources Department in a timely manner. If, in good
faith, you believe you cannot sign the attached sheet, you must advise
your supervisor, the Human Resources Department or the Director of
Compliance of the reason(s) you believe you are unable to do so.
 EMPLOYEE STATEMENT
To the Board of Directors of Command Security Corporation:
I, , have read and understand and acknowledge the principles and standards
of conduct contained in the Command Security Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics. For the fiscal year of the Company which has just ended,
I have adhered to and complied with these principles and standards. For
the fiscal year of the Company which has just begun, and in the future,
I will continue to adhere to and comply with such principles and standards.
I understand that such statement and agreement does not constitute or
give rise to any contract of employment. Please sign here:
Date:
Please print your name:
This signed and completed form must be returned to the Human Resources
Department.
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