NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- T&M Protection Resources, LLC (T&M), a global security and investigations firm with headquarters in New York City, is pleased to announce that it has transferred ownership of its Security Officer Services division to Universal Protection Service. The sale includes all T&M security officer services contracts and related management and operations personnel. Bob Wood, T&M's Vice President of Security Officer Services, will join Universal Protection Service as Senior Vice President of the Northeast Region. Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M, has been retained by Universal Protection Service as a consultant to help monitor the transition and to liaise with clients during the first year.

With the sale of its Security Officer Services division, T&M will focus on strengthening its specialty service offerings, which includes security consulting; executive protection; corporate and private investigations; data forensics and information security; and sexual misconduct consulting and investigations. T&M will also expand the operations of its 24/7 Command Center, which received significant attention during and after Hurricane Sandy for its ability offer continuous information and assistance to clients affected by the storm.

"I am so proud of the business that T&M has built in the security guard industry," said Robert S. Tucker, Chairman and CEO of T&M. "Our security personnel are recognized as best-in-class, and the clients we serve include signature property owners and buildings in New York City. The decision to divest was not an easy one, but I am confident that Universal Protection Service will be capable of providing the same level of service and professionalism that our clients have come to expect from T&M. I am also excited about the future of T&M. We will now be returning to our boutique firm beginnings and will continue to offer the services of our other protection and investigative divisions, led by the team of experts that T&M is known for."

Universal Protection Service is the fifth largest security company in the nation and the third largest U.S.-owned security organization. Based in California, with market dominance throughout the West Coast and Southeast, the company is a division of Universal Services of America, which is comprised of other companies to include Universal Building Maintenance, Universal Protection Security Systems, Universal Fire/Life Safety Services, Security Forces LLC and SFI Electronics. The acquisition of T&M's security contracts represents Universal Protection Service's first foray into the Northeast security services market.

"We are very excited to expand our geographic footprint into the Northeast and are thrilled to be acquiring the client base, security personnel and management of T&M's Security Officer Services division," said Steve Jones, Co-CEO and COO of Universal Services of America. "T&M's philosophy towards customer service and satisfaction, as well as their corporate culture and commitment to premium service, mirrors our own."

SOURCE T&M Protection Resources, LLC