Considerations for Security Guard Services

Few would debate the fact that some measure of security is often needed in many different situations. However, the key question lies in how much and what type? In today’s times, security guard officers can be seen in schools and retail establishments, just as they are often seen in correctional facilities and banks. Anyone who decides they need security must look at their own unique situation to determine what type of security is needed.

Security Considerations

Modern times call for more preventive measures. Schools and other facilities rarely had security personnel in the past. However, today’s school shootings and other dangerous activities have led many school officials to invest in security personnel to deter these types of activities.

The decision to place security personnel in a business or other type of establishment often comes from some perceived threat, real or imagined. However, there are a variety of different situations that commonly point to a need for security. Establishments that are located in high crime areas, serve alcohol or have theft and liability concerns often suggest a need for security. Often the situation and the type of establishment is usually what determines what type of security is put in place and whether they should be armed or not.

For example, School Security Guards are often unarmed based on the fact that many of the schools are either elementary or high schools with minors. However, even this trend is changing as a result of the growing prevalence of school violence. This has led to more Armed Guards in schools where minors are present.

Armed or Unarmed Security Officers?

Often, the type of security a business or establishment uses is dependent on zoning laws in addition to other factors. A Gun Free Zone prohibits the use of a firearm and makes it a crime to use one in certain areas or facilities. These zones are created to deter and diminish crime, deaths, and firearm injuries, as well as mass shootings in specific locations.

Schools with minors are often gun free zones because children are often considered soft targets because of their relative vulnerability. An example of this is the Gun Free School Zone Act that was passed in 1990. In these zones, security personnel may or may not be allowed to carry firearms but unauthorized personnel can’t carry under any circumstance in these zones.

Synthesizing This Information

When you take into consideration all the unique and not so unique needs of a business, it’s not difficult to determine whether or not there’s a sincere need for security. If there is, the uniqueness of the situation often dictates what type of security should be put in place as well. However, this decision requires a thorough look at your security needs in addition to any laws or other overriding factors that would help to determine the most effective security personnel for your establishment or business.

As you explore the possibility of hiring security personnel for your business or facility, consider your own specific needs as well as your location and any zones or laws that impact the type of security that you put in place. You should also consider the people that will be present at the location. Once all these factors are thoroughly explored it will be much easier to determine the type of security that will be most effective.

The Role of the Professional Security Guard

The security guard and protection services industry is on the rise in America according to facts by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This, therefore, means there is great demand for security guards from companies like Nationwide Investigations & Security, Inc. in Houston, TX. A security guard is one who is paid to protect facilities, institutions, malls, airport, banks, etc. and they’re mostly employed by private companies.

Some of the roles of security guards are…

  • Protecting lives
  • Safeguarding materials in a building by not allowing unauthorized people from accessing them
  • They are first in line of defense against criminals before the police arrive
  • Identify and prevent dangerous situations
  • Assisting police enforcement by communicating and sharing necessary information with them
  • Helping people during emergency situations, e.g., during a fire break out, robbery
  • Assist in transporting money safely into a bank.

Job description/ types of security guards

The job of the security guards differs according to their responsibilities. Some require the guards to be stationary at the entrance of building while others require the officers to patrol the building

Security guards can be divided into two

  • Armed security guard. This is trained officers who carry with them weapons and can use them if necessary.
  • Unarmed security guard. They are uniformed officers who use no weapon. Their job may include checking people entering a building or at the airport.

Requirements

For one to be a security guard, you must have a license. However, requirements for licensing vary from state to state. Most states need a high school diploma or GED for security guard licensing. States like Texas require one to be over 18, passed both a thorough background check and drug screening conducted by the state’s Department of Justice and the FBI and undergone a thirty-hour course training from the certified training center.

States like California and Illinois you need a guard card issued by the state, which verifies that you have passed fingerprint scan for a background check.

Training

Due to the important work carried out by the security guards, they need to undergo an intense training program that provides them with necessary skills for their job. The training program, however, vary from state to state and also job type (armed or unarmed guard)

Armed guard training include

  • Learn about how to handle a weapon, safety when using the weapons
  • Learning when one is allowed to use a firearm
  • Practice on firing range
  • The trainees also are examined in this fields

Commissioned officer

A commissioned security officer can be defined as an officer in the army who holds a commission from the President of the United States

The main duty of a commissioned officer is to lead. The officer takes charge command those under him, both officers and enlisted personnel. Other duties include

  • Training the officers
  • Planning missions
  • Organizing and managing both external and internal affairs of the enlisted personnel.

Requirement

One needs to have a bachelor’s degree or higher from public university, private university or U.S. military service academy.

Training

Before on become a commissioned officer, you are required to have the necessary skills such as leadership skills.

You may get Military training from ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs that are on the campuses. The ROTC produces the greatest number of officers to the airforce and the army

Another way is by attending service academies where one is trained to be an officer for more than four years.

Some officers (not many) can be commissioned through programs such as Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class (PLC).