A security guard, (or security officer ) is usually a privately and formally employed person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people.
Often, security officers are uniformed and act to protect property by maintaining a high visibility presence to deter illegal and inappropriate actions, observing (either directly, through patrols, or by watching alarm systems or video cameras) for signs of crime, fire or disorder; then taking action and reporting any incidents to their client and emergency services as appropriate.
Since at least the Middle Ages in Europe, the term watchman was more commonly applied to this function. This term was carried over to North America where it was interchangeable with night-watchman until both terms were replaced with the modern security-based titles.
Functions and duties
Many security firms and proprietary security departments practice the "detect, deter, observe and report" methodology. Security officers are not required to make arrests, but have the authority to make a citizen's arrest, or otherwise act as an agent of law enforcement at the request of a police officer, sheriff, and others.
In addition to the methodology mentioned above, 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. In fact, they frequently have a contractual obligation to provide these actions. Security officers are often trained to perform arrest and control procedures (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 contractee they are serving.
Many security officers are 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). Some officers are required to complete police certification for special duties.
Positions are also set 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.
One major economic justification for security personnel is that insurance companies (particularly fire insurance carriers) will give substantial rate discounts to sites which have a 24-hour presence; for a high risk or high value venue, the discount can often exceed the money being spent on its security program.
This is because having security on site increases the odds that any fire will be noticed and reported to the local fire department before a total loss occurs. Also, the presence of security personnel (particularly in combination with effective security procedures) tends to diminish "shrinkage," theft, employee misconduct and safety rule violations, property damage, or even sabotage. Many casinos hire security guards to protect money when transferring it from the casino to the casino's bank.
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 often called upon to respond to minor emergencies (lost persons, lockouts, dead vehicle batteries, etc.) and to assist in serious emergencies by guiding emergency responders to the scene of the incident, helping to redirect foot traffic to safe locations, and by documenting what happened on an incident report.
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 arrive on the scene.
Patrolling is usually a large part of a security officer's duties. Often these patrols are logged by use of a guard tour patrol system, which require regular patrols. 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.
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 these systems, allowing greater freedom of movement and unpredictability. Global positioning systems are also easing their way into the market as a more effective means of tracking officer movement and patrol behavior.
Personnel
Although security officers differ greatly from police officers, military personnel, federal agents/officers, and the like, Australia the United States has a growing proportion of security personnel that have former police or military experience, including senior management personnel. On the other hand, some security officers, young people in particular, use the job as practical experience to use in applying to law enforcement agencies.
Types of security personnel and companies
Security personnel are classified as either of the following
- "in-house" or "proprietary" (i.e. employed by the same company or organization they protect, such as a mall, theme park, or casino); formerly often called works police or security police in the United Kingdom
- "contract," working for a private security company which protects many locations.
- "Public Security," "Private Police Officers," or security police
- "Private Patrol Officers", vehicle patrol officers that protect multiple client premises.
- "Parapolice", aggressive firms that routinely engage in criminal investigation and arrests.
Industry terms for various security personnel include: security guard, security agent, security officer, safety patrol, private police, company police, security enforcement officer and public safety. Other job titles in the security industry include bouncer, bodyguards, executive protection agent loss prevention, alarm responder, hospital security officer, mall security officer, crime prevention officer, private patrol officer, and private patrol operator.
State and local governments sometimes regulate the use of these terms by law—for example, certain words and phrases that "give an impression that he or she is connected in any way with the federal government, a state government, or any political subdivision of a state government" are forbidden for use by California security licensees by Business and Professions Code Section 7582.26. So the terms "private homicide police" or "special agent" would be unlawful for a security licensee to use in California. Similarly, in Canada, various acts specifically prohibits private security personnel from using the terms Probation Officer , law enforcement , police , or police officer .
Alberta and Ontario probibit the use of the term 'Security Officer' which is in widespread use in the United States for many decades. Recent changes to the act have also introduced restrictions on uniform and vehicle colours and markings to make private security personnel clearly distinctive from police personnel. Some sources feel that some of these restrictions are put in place to satisfy the Canadian Police Association.
There is a marked difference between persons performing the duties historically associated with watchmen and persons who take a more active role in protecting persons and property. The former, often called "guards," are taught the mantra "observe and report," are minimally trained, and not expected to deal with the public or confront criminals.
The latter are often highly trained, sometimes armed depending on contracts agreed upon with clientele, and are more likely to interact with the general public and to confront the criminal element. These employees tend to take pride in the title "Security Officer" or "Protection Officer" and disdain the label of "guard."
Ironically enough, there may be no relationship between duties performed and compensation—many mall "security officers" who are exposed to serious risks make less per hour than "industrial security guards" with less training and responsibility. However, there are now more positions in the security role that separate not just the titles, but the job itself. The roles have progressed and so have the areas for which security people are needed. All security jobs vary in pay and duties at present.
The term "agent" is particularly problematic in the security industry because it can describe not only a civil legal relationship between an employee and their employer or contractor ("agent of the owner" in California PC 602), but also describes a person in government service ("Special Agent Jones of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.") However we should then also consider the fact that this title is also made availa
Social Security Disability Law
This Section promotes the objectives of AAJ within the field of Social Security disability law, and to ... Sole Practitioner and Small Firm; Workers' Compensation and Workplace Injury
Los Angeles Social Security Law Attorneys
Social Security Law Attorney's Goal is to Enable Disabled Claimants Obtain benefits. The mission statement of this firm is simple: we are here to get Social Security Claimants the ...
Social Security Law | Washington State Social Security Law Firm.
Tree Law Offices. Social Security Disability Law Firm. Serving Washington State for more than 20 years.
The Walthew Law Firm - a Seattle, Washington (WA) Social Security ...
The Walthew Law Firm, a Seattle, Washington (WA) Law Firm - Social Security -- Disability, Workers' Compensation Law
Social Security Disability Attorneys, Dallas Texas Social Security ...
Does just the thought of calling a Social Security Disability law firm make you nervous? ... Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington ...
Social Security Attorney, Lawyer, Law Firm Washington, United States ...
Find attorneys, lawyers, law firms practicing Social Security in Washington, United States of America. Directory of Washington, United States of America Social Security attorneys.
Washington Social Security -- Disability Lawyers, Attorney, Lawyer ...
Find Washington Social Security -- Disability Lawyers, Attorney, Lawyer, Attorneys, Law firms - PA - Social Security -- Disability lawyers in Washington Pennsylvania
Wenatchee Social Security Law Firms | Washington (WA) Social Security ...
Find a Wenatchee, Washington (WA) Social Security law firm or lawyer. Contact a Social Security attorney in Wenatchee, Washington (WA) by phone, fax or email on Lawyers.com.
Washington Social Security -- Disability Lawyers, Attorney, Lawyer ...
Find Washington Social Security -- Disability Lawyers, Attorney, Lawyer, Attorneys, Law firms - DC - Social Security -- Disability lawyers in Washington District Of Columbia
Social Security Disability Hay Law Firm, P.S. Attorneys Tacoma ...
To consult with an experienced attorney regarding real estate law, probate and estate planning, and consumer protection, contact Hay Law Firm in Tacoma, Washington. Our lawyers ...