Being a security guard is a far more complex role than many realise.
Each officer has a range of responsibilities included in their job description from personal protection to construction site patrols and hotel security.
If you are looking to hire a security guard for your business or are looking to become one yourself it is essential to understand exactly what a security guard does and what duties they are expected to carry out.
Patrols
Any security guard who is employed to protect property or area will conduct regular patrols to ensure that there have been no security breaches and that nothing is out of place.
In some situations, their patrol may be in a vehicle or with a canine unit, but in the main, these will be conducted by a single officer on foot.
There is a small possibility that they will actually catch an intruder during a patrol but more likely they will act as a visual deterrent to potential criminals who will usually choose another property to target if they know there is a manned patrol or CCTV.
Emergency Response
In the case of an emergency, the security guard is in charge of both detection and response.
Staff and members of the public will look to a security guard in times of danger, and they should take a leadership role at this time.
The security guard’s employer should have established procedures in place to deal with all types of emergencies which may occur. These could range from an intruder on the site or a physical confrontation to a fire or a terrorist attack, depending on the guard’s post at that time.
Given this wide range of different incidents which all require a unique response from the security guard, it is essential that they take time to become experts in every different procedure which is in place.
Contacting Emergency Services
Security guards must also know exactly when and how to contact the authorities. They may be able to resolve minor disputes however they are not equipped to deal with incidents like property fire and more serious crimes such as armed robberies.
In these situations, a security guard will swiftly summon the police or fire service in order to limit damage and focus on protecting innocent bystanders.
If someone gets seriously injured security guards may be trained in basic first aid but their primary role will be to secure the scene until the paramedics arrive.
Customer Contact
When a customer or client enters a business, the security guard is often their first point of contact.
Security guards are sometimes asked to man the front desk for a company so they can check credentials and ensure that no unauthorised individuals gain access to the site.
This means they must be personable and helpful as they are the first impression a potential customer will get of the business.
Security officers must also have an excellent knowledge of the entire premises as they may be asked to direct visitors to the required area.
A visible security presence at the entrance to a premises can reassure customers that they are safe on site and can be key to securing business. Guards must stay professional and appear in charge at all times in order to create this sense of safety.
Feedback
If an incident does occur, it is important that a security guard’s employer knows what went wrong.
This will allow them to change their security protocols or put in place new rules to makes sure a similar event never happens again.
The security guard’s role in this process is vital. Once they have dealt with an ongoing situation they will create a full report on what took place and deliver it to their employers.
As well as being able to help reduce risk in the future, these reports can be useful eyewitness evidence accounts should legal proceedings be required.
As well as incident reports, security guards should provide general observations on the effectiveness of the security systems in place and any weaknesses they have noticed during a patrol.
There may be a dead spot not covered by CCTV or an area that is not lit at all at night. By using their expertise to point out these high risk areas, security officers will help prevent crime from occurring at all and ensure their employer’s premises is as safe as possible for staff.
Prime Secure’s SIA accredited security guards undergo extensive training to ensure they are the best in the industry at delivering all these services and many more.
As a UK wide company, who has been providing professional security guards for over 25 years, we have a national reach backed by the local knowledge of our operatives who are always on hand to fulfil all your security needs.
Whichever type of security guard you are looking for, Prime Secure is ready for your call on 0345 88 88 333.