Security Guard Baltimore Maryland is on the lookout for suspicious activity like shoplifting, trespassing or vandalism. Their ability to remain calm and think clearly in high-pressure situations is an essential skill for these professionals.
They may also monitor CCTV systems, search individuals based on reasonable suspicion and document incidents within written reports.
A security guard’s presence is a powerful deterrent. Just being in uniform and on site can make criminals think twice about committing crime. This is especially true when the security guard is highly visible, as is often the case in retail settings.
Research has shown that the mere presence of security personnel can significantly reduce crime rates in a variety of settings. This deterrent effect is especially pronounced when security guards are highly visible, actively patrolling their surroundings and interacting with the public. Security guards are also trained to practice strong command posture, which is the stance, demeanor and behavior that a security officer or guard uses to convey a sense of power and authority.
This command presence is important in a security setting because it signals to criminals that the guard will not tolerate their behavior or the theft of goods. In addition, the command presence of security personnel is a direct result of their training and experience. Security officers are specially trained to respond to incidents, which is a valuable asset in high-risk situations where they may be required to use force. However, a security guard does not have the same police powers as a police officer, including the ability to make arrests.
Security guards are also trained to recognize suspicious behavior, such as a vehicle driving past the premises repeatedly or an individual acting in a suspicious manner. They are also trained to assess the situation and act quickly if they determine that there is a potential threat to the safety of employees or customers.
While security guards do not have the same authority as police officers, they are a more cost-effective option than police. They are also less expensive to hire, making them a great choice for businesses that need to reduce their security costs. Additionally, security guards can be deployed quickly, unlike police officers who are obligated to follow strict procedures before responding to an incident.
Finally, security guards can work with law enforcement agencies to provide extra manpower for certain high-risk situations. This can be particularly beneficial in situations such as a major event or crowded areas where a large number of people are expected to attend.
Patrols
Security patrols are an essential element of security operations, helping to deter criminal activity and ensure a safe environment. Whether conducted on foot or in vehicles, patrols are an effective deterrent and can be augmented by other security measures such as CCTV and guard dogs. They also provide an opportunity for security personnel to identify potential issues quickly and act on them as necessary.
When deploying mobile security patrols, there are several important factors to consider, including vehicle equipment and the route of travel. A secure and reliable vehicle is vital, equipped with features such as GPS tracking and two-way radios for communication between patrol members. Other important considerations include the size and layout of the area to be patrolled, as well as the time of day when it will require more attention. For example, high-traffic areas or locations that store valuable assets may need to be patrolled more frequently.
Having the right training is also important for mobile security personnel. During training, it is important to cover topics such as patrolling tactics, incident reporting and safety protocols. It is also crucial to give patrolling personnel hands-on practice with their new skills. This way, they can gain the confidence and skill to respond to any situation that may arise on their shifts.
In addition, a mobile security patrol should be supervised by an on-site manager who can oversee the performance of patrolling officers and assess any issues that may arise. The manager should also be able to recommend additional training as needed to ensure that the guards are fully prepared for their duties and have the necessary skills to effectively monitor a specific site or facility.
Patrols should be conducted regularly and on a set schedule to ensure that all areas are being checked. These routine patrols help to detect suspicious activities, which can then be reported to law enforcement officials. XPressGuards’ patrols are strategically positioned to respond immediately to alarms, incidents or security threats and proactively deter crime before it occurs.
XPressGuards’ patrols also vary their routes periodically to prevent any patterns or predictability that could be exploited by wrongdoers. This creates a more dynamic presence and reinforces the message that the premises are actively being monitored, significantly reducing the likelihood of security breaches.
Inspections
Whether you work in an office or on the streets, your job requires you to inspect and check out equipment. You also must be aware of any potential hazards that are present on a property and use your discretion to either mitigate them or report them to management. For example, if an area is hazardous and you don’t have proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear while you’re there, you must list this as a deficiency during the inspection and then notify your supervisor or security manager so they can remedy the situation.
While most companies simply use post-inspections to determine whether or not a guard is sleeping on the job, this misses the opportunity to leverage these inspections as an internal service improvement tool. If a supervisor’s only goal is to catch someone dozing off, they could potentially miss out on information about processes that need improving, tools that are required at the site, or an issue that remains unaddressed on-site. Using these inspections as a “gotcha” tool also puts you and your officers in a combative position, rather than having you both be on the same team working to improve your security services.
Post-inspections should be planned out ahead of time, and all supervisors should have a standardized checklist to ensure consistency in the checks. This checklist should include the property’s layout, access points, lighting, alarms, surveillance equipment, and other areas of concern. You should also have a plan for when you’ll visit each location and the details you want to cover at that time. It’s also a good idea to show up with previous Daily Activity Reports (and this is easier if you’ve gone paperless with an incident reporting software like Silvertrac) and walk through them with the guards, as it shows them what they should be doing based on your security checklist and shows them the importance of maintaining accurate reports.
Whether you’re a security guard or a business owner, you need to be sure your security system is up to par. A well-planned and executed inspection is a key component to that. If you’re not doing these inspections, or you’re not getting the results you expect from your security team, it might be time to look for a new provider.
Reporting
When security breaches occur, it’s imperative that these incidents be documented in a timely manner. This allows for a more accurate investigation, a clear understanding of the incident by all involved parties, and prevents a situation from getting worse. In addition, reporting is required by law in many cases. This means that a security guard must document any breach of protocol, no matter the severity.
There are a variety of different types of security reporting, but one of the most important is the daily activity report (DAR). This is a firsthand account of everything your security officer did on site that day. It should include basic patrol details, maintenance issues, parking violations, resident contacts, lock-up/unlock services and anything else the security officer is responsible for.
If an incident occurs that warrants an incident report, the DAR will be supplemented with the details of the specific event or occurrence. These reports are a valuable tool for security management to understand what happened, why it occurred and how they can avoid similar situations in the future. Incident reports should cover the 5 Ws and an H – who, what, when, where and why – to be as thorough as possible.
A security guard’s ability to write detailed and accurate incident reports will determine the true value they bring to a property. A poorly written report can not only reflect negatively on the guard, but also their employer and company. It’s essential that the security guard practice writing and sharpen their skills so they can produce reports of the highest quality.
In addition, a security guard’s reporting should be free of spelling and grammar errors. A report with these mistakes is unprofessional and may lead to legal issues down the road. A well-written report demonstrates that the guard is detail-oriented and takes pride in their work.
The best way to ensure that your security guards are producing high-quality reports is by using a mobile security guard app. Our app is incredibly easy to use and allows your security officers to create reports directly on site with pictures, videos and timestamps. Then, those reports are instantly pushed to the client portal in real-time.