Security guards often deal with uncertainty. They have to rely on their judgment to make good decisions. Safety is of utmost importance. Ideally, guards need to be decent communicators as they’ll be talking with people, listening to people, observing people and places, and writing reports about what they saw.
Security Guard Duties
What are some common duties of security guards? They’re typically doing surveillance, whereas they’re watching the comings-and-goings of people to-and-from certain places. Furthermore, they may be called to consistently interact with people, having them produce identification, fill out paperwork, and/or searching them for any weapons or other items not allowed in certain areas.
Security guards often go “on patrol,” which could mean they walk around a property checking to see if everything’s going well and as intended. Sometimes guards will use bikes, golf carts or cars to go on patrol, depending on the terrain and venue. While on patrol, guards often check surveillance equipment (such as cameras in the field), while also inspecting access points, buildings, and other things someone is paying them to pay attention to. Depending on the time of day and the venue, guards may interact with lots of people or none at all.
If and when they need to, a guard can “sound the alarm” to alert others that there’s trouble. They may be the one to “call for backup” or call the police. A guard is always looking for things out of the ordinary that may require more attention. Are there trespassers located in areas where they’re not allowed to be? Are certain people not following the rules and need to be talked to/ejected from the premises? Are policies and procedures being followed?
Security guards are often involved in loss prevention. In other words, they want to be the watchful eye over property so it doesn’t get stolen.
Typically, guards end up becoming de facto direction-givers, as people will ask them how to get to certain places. They are monitors of their environment, helping control the flow of people so that order is maintained.
COP Security Inc. out of Rochester, New York, employs security guards with a wide array of skills and techniques to cover areas and businesses as needed. From camera surveillance to foot patrols or vehicle patrols, COP Security can provide you with the kind of security options you’re seeking; please call 585-750-5608 for more information.