Security guards are responsible for patrolling, responding to emergencies, providing surveillance, and resolving conflicts. Those who are effective in this role understand the importance of displaying integrity, professionalism, and customer service.

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A security guard can help deter crime by establishing a visible presence, acting as a watchful eye, and observing suspicious activity. They can also use conflict resolution skills to de-escalate situations and alert authorities if necessary. In addition, they can install technological devices to help prevent crime such as gate access, fencing, lighting and alarms. However, nothing deters criminals more than high visibility and consistent, diligent security patrols. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The effectiveness of security guards as crime deterrents has long been a debated issue in criminology, with the literature divided between those who argue that security guards can exert direct and immediate deterrent cues, similar to police constables, and those who argue that they simply function as a form of law enforcement, increasing the risk of apprehension for offenders. The former view tends to rely on studies that use a control group station, in which a guard does not patrol on a prescribed daily basis and then compare crime reports with a treatment station where the security guard patrols the hot spot areas on a regular basis.

While there have been a number of studies that have attempted to measure the efficacy of this approach, published rigorous evidence is thin. A review of the literature found just three before-and-after experiments that tested the effect on car park crime of deploying security guards, two of which found a significant reduction in crimes without any known geographical displacement.

If a security guard sees suspicious behavior, they can quickly report the incident to the proper authorities and detain suspects until they arrive, or use their training to identify specific indicators that may lead to a potential security threat such as weapons or hazardous materials. In many states, security guards are required to complete a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent and undergo training in topics such as legal issues related to their work, emergency response procedures, customer service skills, patrol techniques and weapons use. Some security officers receive more extensive education and training, requiring additional credentials or licensing.

Identifying Suspicious Activity

Security guards act as a visible presence that acts as a deterrent to criminal activity and are trained to respond to a variety of emergency situations. They are often the first to recognize suspicious behavior or individuals and can then take steps to defuse the situation or alert law enforcement if needed.

Suspicious activity can include a person staying in one place for an extended period of time, acting nervously or defensively, clenching their fists, gesturing with their hands or arms, or acting aggressively. It can also be a vehicle or container that seems out of place in its surroundings or a person showing an unexplained interest in a building or infrastructure, such as taking pictures or videos, or asking questions beyond what is normal curiosity about facility operations and security procedures.

Another suspicious activity is a person stockpiling weapons, ammunition, or other items for the purpose of committing a terrorist act. If you see someone storing items, it is important to report this to security or the appropriate authorities.

Individuals who are conducting illegal activities or suspicious behavior will often linger near entrances and exits to allow for a quick escape should the plan go south. Lingering near doors can also provide an opportunity for the individual to scout the area and look for possible targets. Additionally, a person who is conducting illegal or suspicious activity may experience increased heart rate and anxiety, which could lead to excessive sweating that is noticeable to others.

Security guards often patrol a building or grounds and monitor access points to ensure that only authorized personnel are allowed in. They may also be responsible for screening visitors, verifying identification, issuing visitor badges, and maintaining logs of incoming and outgoing people. Security guards are also trained in conflict resolution and work to diffuse situations that may escalate or become dangerous while maintaining a professional demeanor. It is important for all of us to be aware of what security guards are doing, as they are the best line of defense to prevent crimes from occurring. They are the eyes and ears of a business or event and should be treated with respect and professionalism at all times.

Responding to Emergency Situations

Security guards are often the first to respond to emergencies that occur on premises. They assess the situation, take immediate action, and communicate with others involved in the incident or emergency services. They also help with recovery efforts in the aftermath of disasters by securing damaged buildings and preventing opportunistic crime.

Security personnel receive training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, which empower them to provide initial medical assistance until professional medical staff arrive. This may involve applying bandages to wounds, administering CPR, or using automated external defibrillators (AEDs). In the case of fires, security guards are trained to identify and report fire hazards, alert occupants, and assist in evacuations.

During evacuations, they ensure that people move away from danger in an orderly manner and that no one becomes trapped. They are also responsible for directing people to safe zones or emergency shelters. They know how to use evacuation maps and effectively communicate with occupants.

In crowded spaces like shopping centres or amusement parks, it’s not uncommon for children to become lost or separated from their guardians. Security guards are specially trained to reassure children, communicate with their families, and manage crowd control to reunite them quickly.

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, can cause mass chaos and destruction. Security guards have been trained to prepare for these types of emergencies, understand emergency protocols, and can collaborate with other security personnel and emergency services for a unified response.

Security guards are also experienced in helping with relief and recovery efforts following natural disasters by securing damaged structures, monitoring access to restricted areas, and ensuring that property is not stolen. They can also play a role in supporting insurance claims by providing documentation and evidence of the damage.

It’s important that a security guard has clear protocols established with their employer or client before they begin working on a site. They must be able to answer the question, “What will I do if a certain type of emergency occurs?” This will allow them to act in a way that is consistent with the client’s policies.

Maintaining Order

Security guards must be able to enforce and uphold the rules of the facilities they protect. In addition to ensuring that people on the premises follow guidelines like no smoking or food and beverage consumption, they also ensure that unauthorized individuals are not entering areas where they should not be.

To achieve this, they can check IDs or block access to restricted spaces. They can also use their de-escalation skills to try to keep unruly individuals or crowds under control. However, they must only use force as a last resort, and even then, it must be proportional to the situation at hand.

They may also collaborate with law enforcement officers to help with investigations and other aspects of emergency response. This is especially important in places where a police presence is limited, such as offices and private events. In these situations, security guards are often the eyes and ears of the local police department.

Security guards can also help to prevent crime and incidents from occurring in the first place. They can make sure that everyone on the premises has paid their entry fee or is authorized to be there. They can also check for individuals who might be on a blacklist or have been barred from attending other security-related events in the past.

Additionally, they can use CCTV to monitor activities and identify potential threats or suspicious activity. They can then relay this information to law enforcement and other security personnel. Security guards can also help with a variety of other responsibilities, such as completing daily reports, monitoring CCTV, and responding to alarms.

When it comes to maintaining order, security guards must have strong decision-making skills and be able to act fast. They must be able to quickly learn and memorize the rules and regulations of their facility and apply them to real-life scenarios. This is why it is essential to have comprehensive post orders that clearly define the responsibilities of security personnel. In addition, it is vital that these post orders include training and drills for how security personnel should respond to certain types of situations.