Working as a security guard is challenging, but it comes with many benefits. You get to work in different industries, it’s flexible, and you gain all kinds of life experience, including dealing with people, emergencies and teamwork.
There is a growing need to protect property and people. If you are thinking about a career as a security guard, you need to know what you are expected to do. That involves learning about the different types of security guard duties.
To work in this industry, you must obtain an Ontario security guard license or a similar qualification in your location. Once you are qualified, you may start working in a professional capacity. Here is a list of security guard duties and responsibilities:
Duty #1: Observation & Reporting
Why are security guards hired anyway? It’s because businesses need a highly trained person to watch over their place. Employees may watch shoplifters or someone aggressive, but they have to focus on their job. That is why you need a dedicated person to observe what is going on at all times.
A security guard will pay close attention to movement and activity in the surrounding area and document any suspicious activity. They can then report it to the business owner or management and contact emergency services. They are trained to identify any threats and react to them.
Duty #2: Monitoring Access
One of the biggest problems for businesses is unauthorized access to their property. Whether it is a school campus, construction site, business or hospital, monitoring who enters is crucial. They are responsible for the movement of people, materials and vehicles.
Security guards can be posted at entrances and exits into workplaces, and that alone will restrict entry. If you have a screening method like guest or visitor lists, your security can check people’s identification and permit or deny access. They can also monitor video cameras at access points and respond to any attempt or breach of entry.
Duty #3: Public Relations
One of the security guard duties is dealing with the public. They will disseminate information to people as needed and answer security questions. In an emergency, they are trained to direct people to safety and can be approached by the public to alert them to suspicious activity. A security guard needs to be an effective communicator and a good person.
Duty #4: Patrolling
Another important security guard duty is patrolling. Depending on the job, they may need to walk the floors of a business or outside buildings and construction sites. They may also have to patrol bigger compounds and multiple locations using a marked vehicle.
This will serve as a mobile deterrent and allow the guard to identify shady activity and better respond to disturbances. A guard should be physically fit to conduct security patrolling.
Duty #5: Traffic and Crowd Control
There sometimes is a need to control the flow of vehicles and people. Parking areas may need a guard to monitor access and pay for parking. If there is a need to shut down a street or parking lot, security personnel can do so. It may also coordinate with emergency services to restrict access during a crisis.
Large events call for the need to control crowds of people. This could be access to an event or restriction of the public to private areas. You may need to help the public leave an area and escort any profile people to a safe room or private exit in an emergency.
Duty #6: Emergency Response
If there is an emergency at a place of business or while protecting people, a security guard is trained to handle it. They use many different tools to maintain safety and security, including:
- Radios
- Flashlights
- Handcuffs
- Non-lethal weapons
- Lethal weapons
A security guard will be there to contact emergency services when necessary. This could be from criminal activity or any injuries to people. They are usually the first to respond to an emergency, maintain the public’s safety and detain criminals if needed. A security guard will know the emergency response procedures of the place they protect and direct and protect. They are the person to go to in the event of a crisis.
Duty #7: Protection
Some security guards are hired for private security. They work for high-profile business people as well as celebrities and athletes. These bodyguards will protect individuals and families and their homes and travel with them when they are out in public.
Self-defence training is usually required as you may need to stop an assault and detain a violent or aggressive person. In general, the protection of people is one of the most important security guard jobs.
Security guards provide a valuable service to the public for the well-being of people and property. Their duties are vast and may change day today, and it’s an exciting career that many people take on.
Duty #8: Visual Deterrent
When you go to a place of business, you notice if there is security there. They are usually dressed in a professional uniform and are stationed at entrances to keep the place safe. They stand out.
Their presence is a deterrent against illegal activity because a criminal will see that the place is guarded. Their goal is to get in and rob or cause harm, but when they see a security guard, they will simply move on.
