A security guard can be a rewarding career choice for individuals with good problem-solving skills and can remain calm in stressful situations. They also need to pay close attention to detail and follow set procedures.
They can detain people if they have reasonable suspicion that they are committing a crime and wait for police to arrive. However, they cannot make formal arrests. Click Security Guard Companies In Baltimore Maryland to learn more.
In many cases, security guards are the first responders during emergencies. They assess the situation and determine the nature and severity of the emergency, such as a fire or medical issue. They then communicate accurate details to emergency services like police or fire departments, ensuring they have the information to take prompt action. Security guards also document incidents and irregularities, providing detailed reports that aid in legal matters or improve future security measures.
Another important role of security guards is preventing unauthorized entry to designated areas. This can include offices, residential complexes, and crowded venues like concerts or events. Security guards often patrol areas on foot or in a vehicle, checking credentials and monitoring surveillance systems to identify suspicious activity. Their mere presence can be a powerful deterrent for criminal activities, as it is highly visible to those looking to break the law.
Guards may also conduct safety checks on the premises, ensuring fire exits and alarms are working properly. They can also provide customer service in various roles, including answering, screening, and directing calls, or assisting with directions to specific locations.
Security guards are trained to observe in extreme detail, spotting anything that doesn’t seem right. They can even detect unauthorized activity when it’s too quiet or when there are unusually large numbers of people.
A critical part of their job is maintaining a positive relationship with those they work with. They are trained to de-escalate conflicts and handle situations involving disagreements or disturbances in a calm, professional manner.
Security guards have restricted powers to physically interact with individuals, which they use in accordance with legal guidelines and only in appropriate circumstances. They can perform searches and detain individuals for a brief period of time if they have reasonable suspicion that the individual is engaging in illegal activities or breaching security protocols. In addition, they are permitted to offer physical aid if necessary to protect themselves or others. They must always use force that is proportionate to the threat, following strict protocols to ensure that their actions are both ethical and legal.
Detecting Suspicious Activity
Security Guards are trained to look for suspicious activity that can be a sign of criminal behavior or malicious intent. They can help identify and mitigate risks of theft, vandalism, trespassing, and other common business crimes by conducting regular patrols and surveillance, identifying patterns of crime, and reporting on incidents.
Patrols can include visual inspections of fence lines, gates, and building exteriors to monitor for signs of tampering, breaching, or other issues. They also check that cameras, alarms, and other security measures are working properly. In addition to patrols, Security Guards can be assigned a fixed post to monitor a particular area or high-value asset. Their unwavering attention ensures that this critical area is never neglected, deterring criminal activity and enhancing safety.
Suspicious activity can be detected by a number of indicators, including unusual body language, repeated adjustments to clothing, or lingering near entry points and exits. Guards can also pay close attention to individuals who are using aliases or other false documents, making multiple attempts to enter a property, and providing inconsistent stories about why they’re there.
Guards should be prepared to respond quickly and appropriately if they detect any suspicious activity, even if the situation doesn’t warrant calling law enforcement. They should also be ready to report any observations or incidents as soon as they occur so that they can be documented and acted upon immediately.
Security personnel have the ability to search a person or their belongings with consent if they have reasonable cause, but this should be done only in accordance with established guidelines. Guards are trained to be observant and should pay special attention to people who are acting suspiciously, such as clenching their fists or crossing their arms, or have aggressive or defensive body language.
A security guard’s role is a complex and important one, and they are an integral part of any security team. At Belfry, we support forward-thinking security companies with a complete back office solution that streamlines operations and empowers officers. From smart scheduling and automated approvals to real-time officer tracking and incident reporting, we offer the tools you need to grow your business, provide excellent service, and protect your assets.
Maintaining Order
Security guards must be able to defuse conflict, diffuse tense situations and enforce rules in a way that ensures peace and order within their clients’ premises. They also work to provide a bridge between the public and law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity and criminal acts.
Often, security guards are first responders to emergency situations such as medical emergencies, fires and break-ins. By acting quickly and calmly, they can help control a situation before first responders arrive on the scene. Security professionals are trained in various crisis resolution techniques, including de-escalation methods that can reduce the emotional intensity of a conflict. They are also capable of identifying and addressing the underlying cause of a conflict, reducing the need for physical intervention.
Patrols: Security personnel regularly walk or drive around their designated areas to prevent crime and detect suspicious activities. They also identify potential problems and promptly report them to supervisors or emergency services as needed.
ID checks: Security personnel can check the identification of individuals entering restricted areas or after-hours facilities to prevent unauthorized access. They can also verify that ticket holders are gaining entry to paid events and can deny access to individuals on a client’s “blacklist.”
Searching: Security guards are allowed to search the belongings of people on the premises if they have clear, verbal consent from the person. Typically, this includes searching backpacks, purses and briefcases, as well as the interior of vehicles and lockers. However, security guards do not have the authority to search people off the property or stop traffic on public streets — these duties are the domain of law enforcement officers.
Security guards must have thorough knowledge of their client’s policies and procedures when drafting post orders for their personnel. This is especially important as it helps to ensure the guards understand how they are expected to act in specific scenarios and to meet their client’s expectations for high-quality security service.
Responding to Emergency Situations
Security guards are trained to assess emergency situations and react swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating. They are able to effectively communicate with individuals, local authorities, and the general public during high-stress scenarios to ensure proper action is taken in the event of an incident.
Security personnel are also skilled in providing medical aid in the event of a crisis. They can administer first aid, perform CPR and use automated external defibrillators (AED) as needed, which can be life-saving in a medical emergency such as heart attack or cardiac arrest. Additionally, they have training in ensuring the proper functioning of a building’s fire safety systems to help individuals evacuate quickly and safely during a fire or other disaster.
In the event of a crisis, security officers act as first responders until professional medical assistance arrives on the scene. They can provide first aid, such as bandages and dressings, as well as assist in the evacuation of a building to safe locations. Additionally, they know the location of fire extinguishers and the protocols for dealing with different classes of fires.
Security guards can also act as the liaison between the location of the security issue and local authorities. They have the ability to notify emergency services of a specific security incident, the number of people affected and any immediate threats, which can streamline response times and help emergency services better prepare for arrival on-scene.
During an emergency, security officers can also help protect valuable assets that could be vulnerable to theft or vandalism, such as power lines, communication networks and transportation systems. Their vigilance can help minimize damage, maintain service continuity and expedite the restoration of necessary infrastructure.
Security guards are also adept at handling a wide variety of other situations involving property or human safety. They can engage in lockdown procedures, collaborate with local law enforcement, and shield individuals during a physical confrontation to prevent injury or harm. Security officers often work in teams that are equipped with two-way radios and mobile devices to maintain constant contact during an emergency. Their clear strategy and execution can prevent a crisis from becoming more complicated or escalated and may even save lives.