We have already discussed at length the use of Security patrols – and this is very much the most common case use for a security guard. On the road, visiting premises and taking action only where the evidence suggests.
There are several very usual uses for Security Guards, some of which may be of interest to you in your business.
Other types of guards include; personal escorts, in-store security staff, door work (also called bouncers), permanent perimeter patrols, cash and valuable transport and others. All of these can be temporary or permanent.
Personal escorts may include things such as the protection of a staff member who regularly takes cash or other expensive items from location to location. There may also be a one-off trip that is undertaken and a specific security presence may be required for this. An example might be an expensive artwork being purchased and transported to a corporate office, cash being taken to a bank, a jeweller taken possession of precious stones.
A subset of person escorts may include escorting famous (or infamous!) people if there is a risk of there being recognised and being mobbed or risk to their life may occur. Security guards may be expert in evading the public or media (although you should find out f they are actually experienced in this point).
In-store security staff may permanently patrol a premises that is prone to be robbed, such as an electronics store or a supermarket. Patrolling staff may be uniformed, or plain clothed, or a combination of both. This is usually a permanent posting, but a short term increase may be needed during a busy time such as a big sale, new release, or following some controversy surrounding a brand or product.
Permanent security staff may also be on a premises, or on the perimeter for a group that might have an element threatening harm, such as a school catering to a particular religion, or a political view. In this case, permanent staff are a deterrent but can effectively take action if there is a real threat to property, staff or clients.
While touched on in terms of escorts, security guards may also be a courier themselves where appropriate, for expensive items or cash. This only then requires your staff to be present at either end of the transaction. This is effective as well for mitigating risk, since it is much easier to insure property in the hands of a person who is experienced and knowledgeable in handling expensive items, assessing risk and lowering it by recognition.
And as mentioned, a security firm may be expert in some or all of these, depending on the staff they have and what they chose to take on in their business. You may not expect a security form to be expert in all of the above, and as the risk can be great, you would want to make sure.
So if you are looking to take a security guard on you have a right to ask questions such as;
- What is the experience of the staff that will be working on the job for you?
- What are some of the jobs they have worked on
- What does the insurance of the security company cover, and what will you need to be responsible for
- If something goes wrong and police are involved, what
is the procedure and responsibility
Some years back I was working at a venue that was temporarily set up for a one-night annual music festival. The night was always very popular, and so the organisers made sure they hired a very reputable company to do the door work on the night.
The company hired came highly recommended and the principal of that business was well known in the industry. Unfortunately what was not realised at the time was that he and his staff were known for personal escort security – they were expert at safely transporting people such as heads of state, performers and at-risk individuals. They had no experience at dealing with drunken revellers and people trying to ‘crash’ the door. The security staff and even the owner handled several drunk people so badly that it actually increased the number of fights. And then because they had a reputation to uphold, they turned their backs, saying that it was the organiser’s fault for not providing enough support staff, big enough venue, excuse, excuse.
A permanent security presence can be costly, but will only be a waste of money of the problems outweigh the benefit, and you may not find that out if everything is quiet. It is only that brief moment when something goes wrong and you need to rely on your security staff that you will know, so do your homework first and make sure you are satisfied with the answers you receive.