What is a Security Guard?
A security guard is someone who patrols and
inspects property against fire, theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal
activity. They monitor people and buildings in an effort to prevent crime.
A security
guard, security officer,
or protective agent is a private person who is paid to protect an
organization's assets from various hazards (such as waste, damaged property,
unsafe worker behavior, criminal activity, etc.) by utilizing preventative
measures. They do this by maintaining a high-visibility presence to deter
illegal and inappropriate actions, observing (either directly, through patrols,
or by watching alarm system or
video) for signs of crime, fire or disorder; then taking action to minimize
damage (example: warning and escorting trespassers off property) and reporting
any incidents to their client and emergency services as appropriate. Their international (at
least in the United States of America
and Canada)
symbol of brotherhood is The Thin Green Line. Security
officers are generally uniformed to represent their lawful authority on private
property.
What
does a Security Guard do?
Security guards typically
do the following:
• Protect and enforce laws
on an employer’s property
• Monitor alarms and closed-circuit TV cameras
• Control access for employees, visitors, and outside contractors
• Conduct security checks over a specified area
• Write comprehensive reports outlining what they observed while on patrol
• Interview witnesses for later court testimony
• Detain criminal violators
Guards must remain alert,
looking for anything out of the ordinary throughout their shift. In an
emergency, guards may call for assistance from police, fire, or ambulance
services. Some security guards may be armed.
A security guard’s job
responsibilities vary from one employer to another:
·
In
retail stores, guards protect people, records, merchandise, money, and
equipment. They may work with undercover store detectives to prevent theft by
customers or employees, detain shoplifting suspects until the police arrive, or
patrol parking lots.
·
In
office buildings, banks, hotels, and hospitals, guards maintain order and
protect the organization’s customers, staff, and property.
·
In
museums or art galleries, guards protect paintings and exhibits by watching
people and inspecting packages entering and leaving the building.
·
In
factories, government buildings, and military bases, security guards protect
information and products and check the credentials of people and vehicles
entering and leaving the premises.
·
At
universities, in parks, and at sports stadiums, guards do crowd control;
supervise parking and seating, and direct traffic.
·
At
bars and nightclubs, guards (or bouncers) keep under-age people from entering,
collect cover charges at the door, and maintain order among customers.
·
Guards
who work as transportation security screeners protect people, transportation
equipment, and freight at airports, train stations, and other transportation
facilities.
What is the workplace of
a Security Guard like?
Security guards work in a
wide variety of environments, including public buildings, retail stores, and
office buildings. Guards who serve as transportation security screeners work in
air, sea, and rail terminals and other transportation facilities, and are
employed by the federal government. Gaming surveillance officers do most of
their work in casino observation rooms, using audio and video equipment.
Most security guards spend
considerable time on their feet, either assigned to a specific post or
patrolling buildings and grounds. Some may sit for long hours behind a counter
or in a guardhouse at the entrance to a gated facility or community. Some
security guards provide surveillance around the clock by working shifts of
eight hours or longer with rotating schedules.
Guards who work during the
day may have a great deal of contact with other employees and the public.
Although the work can be routine, it can also be hazardous, particularly when
an altercation occurs.
Functions and duties:
Many security firms and proprietary security departments practice the
"detect, deter, observe and report" methodology. A private security
officer's primary duty is the prevention and deterrence of crime. Security
personnel enforce company rules and can act to protect lives and property, and they
often have a contractual obligation to provide these actions. In addition to
basic deterrence, Security officers are often trained to perform specialized
tasks such as arrest and control (including handcuffing and restraints),
operate emergency equipment, perform First
Aid, CPR take accurate notes, write detailed reports, and perform other
tasks as required by the client they are serving. All security officers are
also required to go through additional training mandated by the state for the
carrying of weapons such as batons, firearms, and pepper spray (e.g. the Bureau
of Security and Investigative Services in California has requirements that a
license for each item
listed must be carried while on duty).
The number of jobs is expected to grow in the U.S., with 175,000 new security
jobs expected before 2016. In recent years, due
to elevated threats of terrorism, most security officers are required to have
bomb-threat training and/or emergency crisis training, especially those located
in soft target areas such
as shopping malls, schools, and any other area where the general public
congregate.
Security personnel may also perform access
control at building entrances and vehicle gates; meaning, they
ensure that employees and visitors display proper passes or identification
before entering the facility. Security officers are called upon to respond to
potential hazards (such as broken lights or doors, disturbances, lost persons, minor
injuries, etc.) and to assist in serious emergencies (medicals, fires, crime,
etc.) by securing the scene to prevent further loss or damage, summoning
emergency responders to the incident, helping to redirect foot traffic to safe
locations, and by documenting what happened on an incident report to give their
client an idea of how to prevent similar situations from occurring. Armed
security officers are frequently contracted to respond as law enforcement until
a given situation at a client location is under control and/or public
authorities arrived on the scene.
Patrolling is usually a large part of a security officer's duties, as
most incidents are prevented by being looked for instead of waiting for them to
occur. Often these patrols are logged by use of a guard tour petrol system which requires
regular patrols. Until recently the most commonly used form used to be mechanical clock systems that required
a key for manual punching of a number to a strip of paper inside with the time
pre-printed on it. But recently, electronic systems have risen in popularity
due to their light weight, ease of use, and downloadable logging capabilities. Regular patrols are, however, becoming
less accepted as an industry standard, as it provides predictability for the
would-be criminal, as well as monotony for the security officer on duty. Random
patrols are easily programmed into electronic systems, allowing greater freedom
of movement and unpredictability. Global
Positioning Systems are beginning to be used because they are a more effective
means of tracking officers' movements and behavior.
Training:
Just as with the police profession, training requirements for the
private security industry have evolved over time. For many years security
guards were poorly chosen and poorly trained (if at all), partly because
security guard companies who contracted with clients in private industry were
paid very little for their security guard services. For the most part,
contracts were awarded to security guard companies through a competition
process and the final selection was often made based on cost rather than the
experience or professionalism of the security guard company. That changed
drastically on September 11, 2001 when radical terrorists attacked the United States.
The event moved corporate threat concerns to the top of the priority list for
most security guard contracts started being awarded based on professionalism.
More money was invested in security so more money became available for training
of security guards. The term 'security professional' began to surface and large
private security companies like Backwater,
USA began
offering training services for the private security industry that approached
the level of training provided by the military. Security guard companies began
paying enough to attract people with significant backgrounds in law enforcement
and the military, often in special operations.
How to Become a
Security Guard
1. Find out about the educational
requirements
In some states in the US, as well as
in some countries, there are no minimum required educational qualifications for
security guards. However, those with relevant certificates (such as a 2-year
degree in a criminal justice program) are given preference during
recruitment exercises. In most places, the minimum requirement is no more than
a high school certificate. In fact, some employers may even hire security
guards who don’t have this qualification. So, it’s all about the employer’s
requirements.
2.
Enroll for a security guard training program
·
10 Reasons why you need security education and training
Even if you think you
have an innate guarding instinct, you will still need to fine-tune your skills
so as to put yourself in the best shape for the role of a security guard. If
you are in the US,
the minimum training program you can enroll for is the obligatory 8-hour
pre-assessment course by the state department. Taking this course qualifies you
for a state-issued security guard registration card. However, this doesn’t stop
you from honing your guarding skills by taking other courses. Most courses
include training on property rights, emergency handling, self-defense,
effective communication skill, and so on. On the average, a training course
spans a few weeks.
3.
Get a permit (if necessary)
While many states in
the US
do not require it, obtaining a permit boosts your credibility and gives you an
edge over others during recruitment. Note that a permit is different from a
license. While a permit gives you a blanket permission to work as a security
guard, a license permits you to assume certain special duties, such as carrying
firearms or gaining access to special place.
4.
Get your license
If you will have to be
an armed guard, you need to obtain a pistol license (Class G License)
after you must have completed a firearms training program. Such a program
entails training on handling and safety of weapons. As an armed security guard,
you will work in highly technical or restricted areas, and you will get higher
pay due to the higher risk involved in such duties. But if you are unwilling to
work as an armed security guard, you can stick with a Class D License, which is
issued to non-armed security guards.
5.
Seek employment
The Recruitment Process for
Hiring a Security Guard
Ä
Announcement of the job position
Ä
Application Process
Ä
Verification of qualifications
Ä
Interview
Ä
Medical Check
Ä
Final selection
Ä
Orientation
After you have
acquired the required certifications, training, and licenses, then you are
ready to start work. To secure a job, you have two options:
·
Firstly, you can contact a private security company, telling
them that you want to take up a job. The company will link you up with an
employer whose requirements match your qualifications.
·
Secondly, you can approach a company directly and apply for a
vacant job position. You can choose this option if you are unable to find a
private security company.
As a security guard,
you can work in casinos, museums, companies, private offices, banks and other
financial institutions, as well as other places that are prone to cheating and
robberies. In addition, you can work as a personal guard to a high profile
individual. Depending on your qualifications, skills, and experience, you can
earn between $4,000 and $120,000 per annum working as a security guard.
