Security Officer

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Lore & Background

Until the 1980s, the term watchman was more commonly used for this function, a usage dating back at least to the Middle Ages. This term was carried over to North America, where it was interchangeable with night watchman until modern security-based titles replaced both terms. Security guards are sometimes regarded as fulfilling the function of private policing. Many security firms and proprietary security departments practice the 'detect, deter, observe, and report' method. Security guards are usually not required to make arrests, but have the authority to make a citizen's arrest and detain suspects, or otherwise act as an agent of law enforcement, for example, at the request of a police officer or a sheriff. Some security guards may also be armed, with functions similar to an auxiliary police. A private security guard's responsibility is to protect their client from a variety of hazards. Security personnel enforce company rules, can act to protect lives and property, and sometimes have a contractual obligation to do so. Apart from deterrence, they are often trained to perform specialized tasks, including arresting or controlling suspects, operating emergency equipment, administering first aid and CPR, taking accurate notes (vehicle numbers or persons entering and exiting), and writing reports of security incidents, among other things. Several countries mandate guards to have training in carrying of weapons—batons, firearms, pepper spray, etc. The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services in California requires a license for each item that must be carried while on duty. Some guards are required to complete police certification for special duties. They may also be required to have bomb threat or emergency crisis training, especially those stationed in soft target areas. Security guards may also progress into specialised roles such as cash-in-transit, close protection, investigations, training, or security management as they gain experience and additional qualifications.

In Their Own Story

One major economic justification for security guards is that insurance companies (particularly fire insurance carriers) will offer substantial rate discounts to sites with a 24-hour presence, as there is lower risk of damage to the insured asset. For a high-risk or high-value property, the discount can often exceed the cost of its security program. The presence of security guards, particularly when combined with effective security procedures, also tends to reduce shrinkage, theft, employee misconduct, safety rule violations, property damage, and even sabotage. Many casinos hire security guards to protect money when transferring it to the casino's bank. Guards may also perform access control at building entrances and vehicle gates, ensuring that employees and visitors present proper passes or identification before entering the facility, or pay user charges. Armed guards are frequently contracted to respond as law enforcement personnel, until official authorities arrive. Patrolling is usually a major part of duties, as most incidents are prevented by being on the lookout. Often, these patrols are logged using a guard tour patrol system that requires them to be conducted regularly. Regular patrols are, however, becoming less accepted as an industry standard, as they provide predictability for the would-be criminal, as well as monotony for the security officer on duty. Random patrols are easily programmed into electronic systems, allowing greater freedom of movement and unpredictability.

Reader's Guide

Security personnel may be classified as one of the following, though there are no consistent international definitions: In-house, private, or proprietary security (i.e., employed by the same company or organization they protect, such as a mall, theme park, or casino); Retail loss prevention, asset protection, or store detectives; 'In-house' personnel who provide (generally plainclothes) security to stores and malls, with the specific aim of preventing and deterring theft and detaining shoplifters; Hotel detectives, also known as house detectives were 'in-house', plainclothes security personnel employed by hotels. This position is largely obsolete and has been replaced with position titles such as 'security guard' or 'security officer'. Hotel detectives feature heavily within noir fiction. American films that feature hotel detectives include Listen Lester (1924), The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940), One Thrilling Night (1942), and Don't Bother to Knock (1952). Contract security, working for a private security company which is contracted by other entities or individuals to provide security services; Public security, individuals employed or appointed as a security officer by a government or government agency, generally for the employing/appointing agency; Parapolice, private security firms that routinely engage in criminal investigations and may hold police powers. A security receptionist is a person who performs duties that combine some or most of the work of a traditional receptionist, in addition to the duties that pertain to security functions. For example, identity verification, issuing visitors' passes, and observing or reporting any suspicious persons or unusual activity. Industry terms for security personnel include security guard, security officer, security agent, safety patrol, security enforcement officer, and public safety. Terms for specialized jobs include usher, bouncer, bodyguard, executive protection agent, loss prevention, alarm responder, hospital security officer, mall security officer, crime prevention officer, patrolman, private patrol officer, and private patrol operator. State and local governments sometimes regulate the use of these terms by law—words and phrases that give an impression of official authority. For example, California doesn't allow security licensees to use designations 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'. The terms 'private homicide police' or 'special agent' would thus be unlawful for a security licensee to use in California. Similarly, in Canada, various acts specifically prohibit private security personnel from using the terms probation officer, law enforcement, police, or police officer. Alberta and Ontario prohibit the use of the term security officer, which has been widely used in the United States for many decades. Recent changes have also introduced restrictions on the uniform and vehicle colors and markings to ensure private security personnel are clearly distinguishable from police personnel. Some sources feel that some of these restrictions are put in place to satisfy the Canadian Police Association. Specialized VIP security guard services and companies are in high demand to protect celebrities and executives during unrest. There is a marked difference between persons performing the duties historically associated with security guards and persons who take a more active role in protecting persons and property. The former, often called 'guards', are taught the philosophy 'observe and report'. They are minimally trained and are not expected to deal with the public or confront criminals. Security guards may be highly trained and armed, depending on legal provisions and contracts agreed upon with clients. They are more likely to interact with the general public and confront criminal elements. There is sometimes little relationship between duties performed and compensation; for example, some mall 'security officers' who are exposed to serious risks earn less per hour than 'industrial security guards' who have less training and responsibility. The term 'agent' can be confusing in the security industry because it can describe a civil legal relationship between an employee and their employer or contractor ('agent of the owner' in California PC 602), and also can describe a person in government service ('Special Agent Jones of the Federal Bureau of Investigation'.) In the United States, the term 'agent' may be confused with bail enforcement agents, also known as 'bounty hunters', who are often regulated by the same agencies that regulate private security. The term 'agent' is also used in other industries, such as banking, loans, and real estate.

Did You Know?

• Until the 1980s, the term watchman was more commonly used for this function, a usage dating back at least to the Middle Ages.
• The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services in California requires a license for each item that must be carried while on duty.
• Alberta and Ontario prohibit the use of the term security officer, which has been widely used in the United States for many decades.
• Hotel detectives, also known as house detectives, were 'in-house', plainclothes security personnel employed by hotels, a position now largely obsolete.
• One major economic justification for security guards is that insurance companies (particularly fire insurance carriers) will offer substantial rate discounts to sites with a 24-hour presence.