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A security guard or '''security officer''', is usually a privately and formally Employed person who is paid to protect Property , and/or assets, and/or people. Often, security officers are Uniform ed and act to protect property by maintaining a high visibility presence to deter illegal and/or inappropriate actions, observing (either directly, through patrols, or by watching Alarm systems or Video Camera s) for signs of Crime , fire or disorder; then taking action and/or reporting any incidents to their client, employer and Emergency Services as appropriate. Since at least the Middle Ages in Europe , the term '''watchman''' was more commonly applied to this function. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES As some security companies use as their Motto the job of a security officer is to "detect, deter, observe and report." Security officers are not normally required to make arrests (but have the authority to make a Citizen's Arrest ) or otherwise act as Police officers, except in some (notably United States ) jurisdictions in which the security officer is invested with arrest powers like those of a County Sheriff . In contrast to the above mentioned motto, a Private Security Officer's actual primary duty is prevention of crime. Security personnel do enforce company rules and can act to protect lives and property. In fact, they frequently have a contractual obligation to provide these actions. Security Officers are often trained to perform arrest and control procedures (including handcuffing and restraints), operate emergency equipment, perform First Aid , CPR, take accurate notes and write effective reports, and perform other tasks as required by the property they are protecting. Many security officers are required to go through additional training mandated by the state for the carrying of weapons such as batons, firearms, and pepper spray. Some officers are required to complete police certification for special duties, such as Private Police Officers. Positions are also set to grow in the U.S., with 350,000 new security jobs expected over the next decade.http://www.getsecurityguardjobs.com/ In recent years, due to elevated threats of terrorism, some security officers are required to have bomb-threat training and/or emergency crisis training. One major economic justification for security personnel is that Insurance companies (particularly fire insurance carriers) will give substantial rate discounts to sites which have a 24-hour presence; for a high risk or high value venue, the discount can often exceed the money being spent on its security program. This is because having security on site increases the odds that any fire will be noticed and reported to the local fire department before a total loss occurs. Also, the presence of security personnel (particularly in combination with effective security procedures) tends to diminish " Shrinkage ," theft, employee misconduct and safety rule violations, property damage, or even Sabotage . Many Casino s hire security guards to protect the money when transferring it from the casino to the casino's bank. Security personnel may also perform Access Control at Building entrances and Vehicle gates by ensuring that employees and visitors display proper passes or identification before entering the facility. Security officers are often called upon to respond to minor emergencies (lost persons, lockouts, dead vehicle batteries, etc.) and to assist in serious emergencies by guiding emergency responders to the scene of the incident and documenting what happened on an incident report. Security Officers (usually armed for this function) are frequently contracted to respond in a similar fashion as police officers until a given situation at a client location is under control and/or public authorities arrive on the scene. Patrolling is usually a large part of a Security Guards duties. Often these patrols are logged by use of a Guard Tour Patrol System , formerly mechanical clock-based systems but more and more electronic systems are in use. The term ''Regular Patrol'' is a term that, although often used, is discouraged in the Security Industry for use of more precise terms. The ''Fixed Post'', ''Patrol Post'' and ''Roving'' or ''Random Patrol'' are terms coming into favour.G4S Standard Post Orders, Section 3 ''Types of Assignments'' 2007 Although security officers are a distinct type of personnel from either police officers or the military, in the United States a very high proportion of security personnel, including most senior management personnel, are either former or Retired members of one or both services. Many security officers who don't fit this profile (young people in particular) use the job as a springboard into a police career. TYPES OF SECURITY PERSONNEL AND COMPANIES Security personnel are classified as either of the following
Industry terms for various security personnel include: Security guards, Security Agents , watchmen, Security Officers , Safety Patrol , Armed Security , Private Police , Company Police , Loss Prevention , Bodyguards , Executive Protection Agents , or Access Managers . Other job titles in the security industry include Dispatcher , Receptionist , driver, Supervisor , Alarm Responder , Mall Security Officer , Private Patrol Officer , Private Patrol Operator , and manager. Controversy exists within the private security industry regarding the job titles of "security guard" as opposed to "security officer" and "security agent." State and local governments sometimes regulate the use of these terms by law -- for example, certain words and phrases 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" are forbidden for use by California security licensees by Business and Professions Code Section 7582.26. So the terms "private Homicide police" or "special agent" would be unlawful for a security licensee to use in California. Similarly, in Ontario , Canada , the Private Security and Investigative Services Act specifically prohibits private security personnel from using the terms ''detective'', ''private detective'', ''law enforcement'', ''police'', or ''officer''. Recent changes to the act have also introduced restrictions on uniform and vehicle colours and markings to make private security personnel clearly distinctive from police personnel. There is general agreement, however, that there is a marked difference between persons performing the duties historically associated with watchmen, and persons who take a more active role in protecting persons and property. The former, often called "guards," are taught the mantra "observe and report," are minimally trained, and not expected to deal with the public or confront criminals. The latter are often highly trained, sometimes armed depending on local laws and regulations, and are more likely to interact with the general public and to confront the criminal element. These employees tend to take pride in the title "Security Officer" or " Protection Officer " and disdain the label of "guard." Ironically enough, there may be no relationship between duties performed and compensation -- many mall "security officers" who are exposed to serious risks make less per hour than "industrial security guards" with less training and responsibility. How ever there are now more positions in the security role that separates not just the title but the job its self. The role of guard has progressed and so has the areas for which security people are needed. All security jobs vary in pay and duties now. The term "agent" is particularly problematic in the security industry because it can describe a civil legal relationship between a person and their employee, hireling or contractor ("agent of the owner" in California PC 602) but also describes a person in government service (" Special Agent Jones of the Federal Bureau Of Investigation .") However we should then also consider the fact that this title is also made to banking agents, loan agents and real estate agents. Titles are problematic or perhaps redundant if one understands the profession. Security "agents" found in loss prevention and personal or executive protection (bodyguards) typically work in plainclothes, without a uniform, and are usually highly trained to act lawfully in direct defense of life or property. There is also confusion with bail enforcement agents, or as they are popularly known "bounty hunters," who are sometimes regulated by the same agencies which regulate private security. Security personnel are cautioned (as to whom makes this caution is unknown and has yet to be confirmed that it is or is not an issue in some states) that identifying themselves to citizens or police as "officers," particularly in a high threat or tactical situation, may result in mistaken identity, charges of impersonating a peace (police) officer, or even serious injury or death if police are believe that they are confronting an armed criminal as opposed to rescuing a lawfully armed private employee. The term "guard," may prevent potentially lethal confusion when interfacing with law enforcement agencies and dispatchers (varies with each state's law enforcement community and laws). LICENSING Most or other Restraint Devices without the proper training, which is in contrast to their "In-House Security" counterparts that have no restrictions or mandatory training in regards to handcuffs or restraint devices. As a requirement of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, the UK now requires all Contract Security Guards to have a valid SIA (Security Industry Authority) license. Licenses are valid for three years and require the holders to undergo formal training, also to pass mandatory Criminal Records Bureau checks. In Canada , private security falls under the jurisdiction of Canada's ten provinces. The laws in all provinces require that contract security companies and their employees be licensed. 1 The requirements for licensing vary but many provinces require that security guards either successfully complete a training program before being issued a license or have previous experience as a Peace Officer (i.e. a police officer). In British Columbia contract Security Businesses, and Employees must be licensed, while "In-House" Security Organizations and Employees are currently exempt from Provincial Legislation. New Legislation is currently going through the legislative process to better regulate the Security Industry in BC. SECURITY GUARDS AND THE POLICE Security personnel are not Police officers, unless they are Security Police , but are often confused with them due to similar Uniform s and behaviors, especially on private property. Security personnel derive their powers not from the state, as public police officers do, but from a contractual arrangement that give them 'Agent of the Owner' powers. This includes a nearly unlimited power to question with the freedom of an absence of probable cause requirements that frequently dog public law enforcement officers. Additionally, as legal precedents have further restrained the traditional police officers' power of "officer discretion" regarding arrests in the field, requiring a police officer to arrest minor lawbreakers, private security personnel still enjoy such powers of discretion largely due to their private citizen status. Since the laws regarding the limitations of powers generally have to do with public law enforcement, private security is relatively free to utilize non-traditional means to protect and serve their clients' interests. This does not come without checks, however, as private security personnel do not enjoy the benefit of civil protection, as public law enforcement officers do, and can be sued directly for false arrests and illegal actions if they commit such acts. Some Jurisdiction s do commission or deputize security officers and give them limited additional powers, particularly when employed in protecting public property such as mass transit stations. This is a special case that is often unique to a particular jurisdiction or locale. Some security officers with police powers, typically employed directly by governmental agencies, are called Security Police . Typically these are police whose duties primarily involve the security of a government installation, and are also a special case. Other municipalities have occasionally entered into special contracts with security agencies to provide patrol services in public areas and these personnel are sometimes referred to as Private Police Officers. Sometimes police officers work as security personnel while not on duty. This is usually done for extra income, and work is particularly done in hazardous jobs such as Bodyguard work and Bouncer s outside nightclubs. In some countries, including the United Kingdom, it is illegal for police officers to take private security work. Except in these special cases, a security guard who misrepresents himself as a police officer is committing a crime. However, security personnel by their very nature often work in cooperation with police officials. Police are called in when a situation warrants a higher degree of authority to act upon reported observations of the security personnel that could not be directly acted upon safely by the security personnel. In British Columbia, Canada contract Security Guards are NOT permitted to carry firearms(guns), batons, pepper spray, or handcuffs. The fine for doing so is $575, and the possibility of losing their Security License. Provincial Inspectors, designated as Special Provincial Constables conduct inspections to ensure compliance with Provincial Regulations. "In-House" Security organizations, and their employees are currently exempt from Provincial Regulations. This means "In-House" Security Officers could, if permitted by their employer, carry and use handcuffs, and/or a baton. The Province of BC is currently re-drafting the provincial legislation to cover all security, and certain restrictions, as the current legislation is 26 years old. CRITICISMS The field of private contract security is often a low paying job, and as with any low paying job in many cases adequate background checks are not performed. But an exception is Armed Security where extensive background check must be performed per State, Federal and local laws and regulations for the purpose of issuing firearm permits. As well, many persons might engage in security work as a secondary job, which can reduce their level of dedication. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos159.htm As well, many work double shifts (shifts of 16 to 24 hours), which can reduce effectiveness and attentiveness. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2377404&dopt=Abstract In British Columbia, Canada, the field of "In-House" Security usually pays more money per hour than it's contract counterpart. Contract Security usually pays their Guards between $9-14 per hour, while most "In-House" organizations pay their personnel between $14-21 per hour. Economist Robert B. Reich , in his 1991 book '' The Work Of Nations '', stated that in the United States, the number of private security guards and officers was comparable to the number of publicly-paid police officers. He used this phenomenon as an example of the general withdrawal of the affluent from existing communities whose governments provide public services; instead, the wealthy provide their own premium services, through voluntary, exclusive associations. As taxpayer resistance has limited government budgets, and as the demand for secure homes in Gated Communities has grown, these trends have continued in the 1990's and 2000's. HISTORY The '' Vigiles '' were soldiers assigned to guard the city of Rome , often credited as the origin of both security personnel and police, although their principal duty was as a Fire Brigade . There have been night watchmen since at least the Middle Ages in Europe; walled cities of ancient times also had watchmen. A special chair appeared in Europe sometime in the late Middle Ages, called the Watchman's Chair ; this unupolstered wooden chair had a forward slanting seat to prevent the watchman from dozing off during his watch. NOTABLE SECURITY GUARDS
UNIONIZATION In June, 1947, the United States Congress passed the Taft-Hartley Act placing many restrictions on labor unions. Section 9 (B) (3) of the act prevents the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from certifying for collective bargaining any unit which mixes security employees with non-security employees. That restriction makes it illegal for security employees to join any union that also represents other types of employees. They may only be part of an independent, "security-only" union, not affiliated with any coalition of other types of labor unions such as the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Two of the largest security unions are the Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) and the United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA). In 1948 with the Taft-Hartley restrictions well into effect, the Detroit, Michigan area security guards of United Auto Workers (UAW) Amalgamated Local 114 were forced to break away and start a separate "Plant Guards Organizing Committee". The NLRB ruled that as an affiliate of the CIO, the committee was indirectly affiliated with production unions and therefore ineligible for certification under the new restrictions. The committee was then forced to completely withdraw from the CIO and start the independent United Plant Guard Workers of America. By the 1990s, this union had evolved to include many other types of security officers and changed its name to the SPFPA. In 1992, the USGOA was formed. It specializes in organizing federal, state, and local government security officers, but since May, 2000 has been open to representing other types of security personnel as well. There is controversy surrounding recent efforts by certain unions to become involved in the security industry, such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) because it primarily represents janitors, trash collectors, and other building service employees. Depending on individual locations & companies, Security Officers in Canada are part of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union ('' UFCW '' ''Local 333'') or the United Steelworkers Union (the Canadian wing of the United Steelworkers Union Of America (''USWA'')). In contrast to the union restrictions in the United States, Canadian security officers may be in a Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)-affiliated union or in the same union with other classifications of employees. SEE ALSO
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