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I have been asked that first part by a number of young people I have run into. After all, I wear a badge, carry a gun, and look like a cop - so what's the difference? Well, there are differences. .
A "Security Enforcement Officer", sometimes called a Security Guard, is an individual with special training in one or more areas. These may include...
Workplace Safety
OSHA-type Safety Regulations [Hardhats, Ladder Usage, Workplace Hazards]
Emergency Situation Handling [Fires, Chemical Spill Response, Incident Command Structure, etc]
Access Control
Alarm/Control Panels
Fire/Burglary Panels
Environmental Condition Monitors [HVAC, temp, pumps, etc.]
Retail Environment Security
Shoplifter and Employee Theft/Shrink Prevention/Detection/Interdiction
This may include arrest and handcuffing techniques and defensive training using PR-24-type side-handle batons, ASP batons, O.C., or stun guns/stun batons.
USE OF FORCE and DE-ESCALATION OF FORCE SHOULD BE WELL STUDIED AND FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY C.S.O.'S CARRYING OR EMPLOYING ANY OF THESE TOOLS.
Parking Lot Monitoring/Accident Response
Corporate Security
Industrial Espionage Prevention/Detection/Interdiction
Access Control
Employee Theft Prevention/Detection/Interdiction
First-Aid
General First-Aid such as the American Red Cross Workplace Safety/First Aid Certification
CPR and the use of the Automated External Defibrilator [AED]
Special First-Aid for Industrial Situations
The first thing to remember is that Contract Security Officers are NOT police, and do not require all of the training relating to laws of evidence, arrest, vehicle pursuit, and some other areas that a police officer has. That is not to say that some of them do not have all of that same training, it's just that they are not required to.
There are two basic types of Security Enforcement Officers
Contract Security Officers - Employed by a company that "rents" officers to other companies. These need to be licensed through their respective States [usually a Department of Occupational Licensing] and are trained and tested.
Private Security Guards - Employed by a company to protect only that company. Examples of these are store detectives [employed ONLY by that store or chain, not providing security anywhere else] and hotel security working ONLY for that hotel. Some shopping malls have their own security as well.
I want to cover primarily Contract Security Officers [CSO's] in this article. They generally have more training than the Private Security Guard and offer more advancement opportunities.
In the State of Utah, the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing [DOPL] handles the licensing of Contract Security Officers. In Utah there are two classes of Contract Security Officers.
Unarmed Private Security Officer
Armed Private Security Officer
An individual can not simply go out and hire themselves to businesses as a Private Security Officer. They must be employed by a Contract Security Company - a business that trains, develops, and employs Security Officers and supplies them to client companies and individuals. These businesses are also licensed and bonded, and have a Qualifying Officer who oversees the day-to-day operations of the company. This person must be up on all of the laws, rules, and regulations governing Contract Security.
Before an individual can begin to practice as a Contract Security Officer, they must be trained through a recognized training provider. This training is usually provided by the company that the individual applies to work for. All training must meet the standards of the State of Utah. There are differences in the training requirements for each type of officer
Unarmed Private Security Officer
8 Hours of Basic Classroom Instruction covering duties of security, history, laws and rules, etc.
16 Hours of Instruction every Two Years
Armed Private Security Officer
8 Hours of Basic Classroom Instruction covering duties of security, history, laws and rules, etc.
6 Hours of Firearms Classroom Instruction
6 Hours of Live-Fire Training and Qualification
Officers must past a written test based on their training. Armed Private Security Officers must also pass a live-fire exam testing their skills and proficiency with a firearm.
If you want a recommendation for Armed Private Security Officer training, I can refer you to an excellent individual who provides training which exceeds the minimum required by the State of Utah.
In addition to having the training and passing the tests listed above, all applicants for either license must submit the following to DOPL...
2 Completed Fingerprint Cards - 1 for an FBI Background Check and 1 for a State of Utah Background Check through BCI.
Fingerprint services are available at BCI for $10.00 for up to 3 cards.
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 W 5400 S
Salt Lake City UT 84118
801-965-4445
A clear, legible photocopy of your Utah Driver's License or Utah ID Card
Certification of Completion Of Basic Classroom Instruction
Certification of Completion of Firearms Instruction for Armed Private Security Officer applicants
Application for Licensure
Security Personnel Qualifying Questionnaire
Affidavit and Release Authorization
All of the required paperwork can be found at the following URL in Adobe Acrobat format: http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/forms/037.pdf
As you can see, the individual must have a clear criminal history. Background checks are run on all applicants through BCI and through the FBI.
Good Security Officers are trained not only on police-type procedures, but also on safety procedures. Their primary duty is to help other people to be safe. Many of them are fully first-aid and CPR trained. They may also have EMT training. They are trained to notice things that are unsafe for people to be around - improperly positioned ladders, spills [chemical and water], and other safety and fire hazards. They may inspect the charge level on fire extinguishers, check for leaks in fire suppression systems, and watch environmental monitoring panels in business and inductrial facilities for hazardous conditions. They often do this when making rounds patrolling through the facility looking for dangerous situations or intruders.
Security Officers need to have excellent powers of observation - being able to notice little things that no one else would ever think to look for, and being able to report their findings in person or in writing. That's most of the life of a Contract Security Officer. You need to be able to OBSERVE and REPORT, and help other people be safe.
It isn't a life of glory. If you are looking to participate in shootouts and chases - get a bunch of movie tickets, because you hopefully won't ever see these things as a Contract Security Officer. If you ever do "make a bust", it will most likely be picking up an insufficiently charged fire extinguisher or noting a leak in an overhead fire suppression system. You may even "score a big one" noting an overloaded electrical outlet or finding some chemicals left open in an industrial office.
Contract Security Officers are also trained in Access Control. This is a common function provided at client sites. They may inspect employee badges to insure that the people coming into the facility are actually supposed to be there. They log visitors in, and keep track of the going's on around the facility. They may also inspect employee belongings and containers as people leave as a theft deterrent-and-detection function. They may also patrol the facility parking areas as a deterrent/detection function against vandalism and theft. Your presence is - hopefully - to PREVENT things from happening as much as it is to OBSERVE AND REPORT if something does happen.
Contract Security Officers have to be good at noting DETAILS. They need to be able to note differences in conditions between rounds. They need to be able to notice if objects are present/absent/moved between rounds. If there isn't supposed to be anyone in the area - then such an event would be a good clue that something or someone - is afoot. They also need to notice changes in odors in a building. This could be a sign of a fire or a chemical spill which will warrant even more scrutiny. It can also be a way to tell the Officer if they are in possible danger.
One night I was patrolling a local bus terminal. As I approached a dark corner which was obstructed by two parked buses, I could smell the distinct odor of feces - commonly called "poop". It was not there when I had checked 15 minutes earlier. I approached carefully, using my flashlight and proper corner-approach procedure, and I found a transient who had just climbed the fence into the bus depot.
I kept my flashlight on him, advised him to keep his hands where I could see them, and asked him what was going on. He had defecated right on the other side of the fence, and was so drunk that the only way he could see to get away from his "droppings" was to climb over the fence. He was possibly the most intoxicated individual I have ever encountered, and he looked like he had run into a wall. I escorted him off of the property.
My sense of smell told me that something was different and needed to be cautiously investigated. Don't discount any of your senses.
CSO's need to be able to put their observations of such things in writing. The job of a Contract Security Officer is to PREVENT if possible, and OBSERVE AND REPORT if prevention is not possible. My report on the above situation drew a great deal of laughter - you have to admit that it was a bit funny, although very disgusting.
What if something does happen - say they actually observe a shoplifter taking an item from a store? Well, a Contract Security Guard does have the same power of arrest that you and I have - the Citizens Arrest. This is recommended only under certain conditions. These conditions include...
A Crime Must Have Been Committed. You must KNOW that what you observed was a CRIME warranting the detention of the individual according to the laws of the jurisdiction you are operating in. You must understand the laws of your jurisdiction.
You Must Have Been An Eyewitness To The Incident. You can not arrest based on the hearsay of another individual telling you they saw something happen. This could get you into a lot of trouble - especially if the person telling you the hearsay has something against the suspect that you don't know about.
You Must Be Able To Fully Document The Incident. If you do not feel that you can provide a complete narrative of the incident, you most likely don't have enough to make an arrest.
For example, you have a man sitting in a waiting area, and a woman exits the facility. As the woman passes the man, you observe the man stand up and stab her with a knife. The man then drops the knife and walks up to you, saying "Will you please arrest me, I think I am sick".
In this case, you can and should place cuffs on the individual and detain him until police arrive. This really happened to a security officer I knew in Oregon, by the way.
On the other hand - an employee of the facility comes up to you and states that an individual is breaking into cars in the parking lot. You get a description of the suspect and tell the witness to wait inside. You go to the parking lot and observe a youth matching the description sitting on the sidewalk at the end of a row of cars with broken windows. Can you arrest him? Should you?
A reasonable and prudent person might make the determination that this person was most likely guilty. However, YOU did not actually see him perform the act.
The best thing to do would be to note a complete description of the individual and contact law enforcement. You may even tell the individual that he might want to stick around until the police arrive. You give him the OPTION of staying without detaining him. If he decides to leave, you make note of the direction of travel and relate this to law enforcement. Let them handle the arrest.
The thing I would worry about in this situation is the following...
Did the witness actually see the suspect perform the act of breaking into the cars, or did the witness just see the suspect sitting at the end of a row of cars with broken windows and make an assumption which they reported to you as "fact"?
Sometimes people make statements which they feel fit the facts - not statements that actually reflect what they observed.
While a Contract Security Officer should be trained on how to ask the appropriate questions to determine this, the police ARE trained on this, and in the case of an arrest the responsibility should be on them to make the correct determination.
As a Contract Security Officer, you need to be able to CLEARLY REPORT WHAT YOU OBSERVE.
You need to be able to separate supposition from observed fact. Tell it as it really was, not as you think it was - or as you think it should have been.
Keep in mind that many security companies PROHIBIT their officers from making any type of arrest while on duty. The company you work for will make this clear to you in your training. I do NOT recommend that you make an arrest unless your clearly observed a felony-type crime being perpetrated and you feel that you can completely articulate your observations and the facts in writing. If you see an assault or rape in progress, that's one thing. If you see someone in the vicinity of some vandalism and THINK they might be guilty, that is something else entirely.
Some Contract Security Officers may work in locations and situations requiring them to carry items that can be used in their defense and to bring a subject into compliance with directives to cease hostile actions towards the officer or toward those that the officer has a responsibility to protect.
These items may include...
Firearms - handguns are most common, although some may have access to shotguns or rifles depending on the facility and responsibilities. This is a distance tool and must be considered as a last resort as it is considered to be ALWAYS LETHAL. It doesn't happen like in the movies where the good guy shoots the knife out of the perp's hand. If the situation has escalated to the point where you need to use a firearm, you certainly don't aim for the hand!
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU DRAW YOUR FIREARM IN AN ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE OR ENFORCE COMPLIANCE, UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN FACED WITH FORCE LIKELY TO CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY.
O.C. - Oleoresin Capsicum, or Pepper Spray as it is commonly called. This can be used at a distance to cause temporary disorientation and pain to a person engaging in hostile/aggressive behavior.
Stun Guns or Stun Batons - Conventional stun guns - not Air Tasers - have a much closer sphere of influence requiring you to reach out and touch the perp - about the same as a knife. If you can touch him, he can touch you - meaning that you are in danger. They cause temporary loss of muscle control.
A Stun Baton works on the same principle, but has a much longer reach - less danger to the guard. I have used one of these to handle a bail jumper and it was very effective. He didn't give me any reson to use it.
PR-24 or ASP Batons - these are impact weapons. If you hit someone, it causes pain and sometimes muscle cramps. LEO's refer to these as pain-compliance devices.
I like the PR-24 kind myself. They are similar to a Tonfa. It has a handle on the side and can be easily used alongside your weak arm [the one opposite of your firearm] in a DEFENSIVE position to deflect an attack - leaving your strong side arm free to grab your O.C. or firearm if necessary.
ASP batons are compact and extend to their full length with a flick of the wrist. They are easier to carry, but a little less useful in my opinion.
REMEMBER THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO STRIKE A SUBJECT IN THE HEAD OR NECK MUST BE CONSIDERED AS A POTENTIAL USE OF LETHAL FORCE.
Before a Contract Security Officer begins to carry any of these items, they need to be trained on them. They also need to understand several things VERY well...
USE OF FORCE - When is the use of force acceptable, and how does one properly use force if required? This varies greatly depending upon the situation. There is one generalization that you can make. IF FORCE IS NECESSARY - THE FORCE + 1 RULE IS A GENERAL GUIDELINE. It says that if a perpetrator is using X amount of force to resist arrest, you can use X+1 amount of force to bring the perp into compliance to make the arrest. It must be CLEARLY understood that a firearm can not be used to make threats or to force a suspect to comply with any verbal directive unless the perp is engaged in an act that could cause serious bodily harm or death to the officer or another that the officer is protecting.
DE-ESCALATION OF FORCE - If the perp comes into compliance, you must reduce the force you are using to only that needed to maintain control of the suspect. If the guy stops resisting and you get the cuffs on - you may place a hand on his shoulder or on the cuffs to guide/direct him, but nothing more.
I like to discuss the principles of "TALKING DOWN" as opposed to "TAKING DOWN" with de-escalation of force. It is ALWAYS best if you use COMMAND PRESENCE and CONFIDENCE combined with efforts to TALK the perpetrator down rather than using BRUTE FORCE to TAKE the perpetrator down. If no one is in immediate danger of serious physical harm or death - take some time to TALK to the perp. You may be able to talk them out of doing something that both of you may regret.
CONTROL YOUR ANGER - KEEP YOUR COOL - This is VERY necessary. If you are a guard in a mall and someone is ticked off at a store or at the mall - don't take it personally. Keep your cool. Keep your distance. Diffuse the situation, keep it from escalating. De-escalate their anger. Don't be afraid to ask what's wrong and take the time to listen to them. You might even suggest a way they can constructively handle the situation. If you keep your calm, and even show that you are willing to hear their side, they will calm down too.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS - Being aware of what is going on around you, who is around you, and what they are doing - is a good way to give yourself time to plan and act early to keep a situation from escalating to the point where you need to use force.
REACTIONARY GAP - don't get too close to the perp. Keep distance between you and the perp, or anyone you are dealing with for that matter. A reasonable distance gives you time to react to any hostile action that the perp might take. Always remember that REACTION is slower than ACTION. If they take an ACTION, you will have to REACT. I have some kevlar gloves I like to wear on duty. They help to give me command presence. If I keep my cool and maintain distance, an extended arm with a black glove can act symbolically like a shield and help to keep the situation from escalating.
My cousin [2nd cousin, really] was a Police Chief who was killed in the line of duty in 2001. He always used to say that "sometimes, good people make bad decisions" and that is when they have dealings with the law. In general, I think that is true and I keep that in mind when I am on duty.
As long as no one is in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death, I will always try to verbally talk someone down before the situation reaches a point where I have to use force to take them down.
Unfortunately, his death also demonstrated that some people are truly evil - they have given themselves willingly and completely over to the darkness. It is because of those people that you always need to be prepared to take action to protect yourself - and those you have a responsibility to protect - from serious bodily harm or death.
Let me give you an example. Say you are providing security in a business office. You are stationed in a reception area and an irate man comes in yelling and screaming at the receptionist. You approach him and he is yelling about a bad product and the receptionist refuses to help him because of his attitude. The policy of the company is that you need to get him out of the facility or summon the police.
How would you react?
Here is what I would do. First, keep cool. It's not personal. OBSERVE for visible weapons or signs of weapons ["prints" of guns, knives, etc. through pockets]. If none, approach the man with confidence but maintain a reactionary gap.
"Excuse me sir, can I help you"
"No, I want to talk to the president of this ******* company NOW"
"OK. First you need to calm down. Why don't you tell me what the problem is, and I'll see if we can get someone to help you."
"No, I want to tell the president of this ******* company what the problem is, or I am going to go through those doors and find him".
"Sir, I can't permit that. If you want to calm down, I think we can find a way to help you, but if not then I do need to ask you to leave."
"I'm not going to leave until I get some ****** satisfaction from the president of this ******* company. If I have to start breaking things then I will."
"Sir, you really need to calm down right now. What you just made was a threat, and we can have the police take you into custody. I don't want that, and I don't think you want that. Now listen. If you calm down, you will be able to leave, go home and have dinner with your family. If you go to jail, you most likely won't be able to tonight."
You want to make it clear that they don't want to go where their mouth is taking them.
"OK, OK I sorry I made a threat, but I just want to get this fixed."
"Here is a card with the company phone number on it. Go home tonight, take it easy, and sleep on it. Give them a phone call tomorrow, ask to speak with the head of customer support."
I'd make sure he goes to his car and leaves - noting a complete vehicle description with license plate number. I'd also see if I can print a hardcopy of any surveillance photos that show his face. I would document everything. If the company wanted to call the police, that's their decision. The best thing for the Contract Security Officer would be to de-escalate and document the incident, and secure the scene from the subject. Get them out of position to harm anyone.
Of course, if I felt that he left with the intent to return and cause damage or harm - I would make the company aware of those feelings.
If I didn't feel that way after he left, I'd get word to the head of customer support that the individual has apparently had a very bad experience. If they can help him, great. I'd also add that if he makes any threats, let me know. If he did, it would be appropriate to report the incident to the police with a copy of my report and the photos available.
This is just a hypothetical, and in writing it's hard to put all of the nuances into it. The gist of the scenario is to keep cool, and keep control of the situation. If the subject makes threats, that escalates things and the results are not something they want to experience. Make that clear to them. Let them know that they don't want to go there.
What if the subject was looking right at the receptionist when they stated that they might start breaking things? That certainly would have changed the dynamic and the response might have changed to something like "Sir, you need to step back now" said VERY firmly with a hand placed VERY obviously on your O.C. or PR-24.
If you don't feel that you could handle something like this, you don't want to be a Contract Security Officer. This sort of thing is VERY rare, but it does happen. You need to able to keep your cool and deal with the situation.
In all of my time working in security, I have never had to get physical with a subject. I have never had to draw my gun. The only time I have ever had to pull out my OC was when assisting with a lawful arrest. I drew my OC but did not have to employ it. I later kept my stun baton ready while escorting the subject to a vehicle.
I will tell you this. There are some really good companies out there, and there are some really bad ones. Some of them don't want Officers. Some want guards. What's the difference?
An Officer is someone who takes the job seriously, takes as much training as they can get, and looks and acts professionally without getting a badge-i-tude. Because they know their limitations, they are not likely to get into trouble, but will take action if necessary.
A guard is someone who is there to fill a uniform and occupy space. They don't pay attention, and you could not count on them to stop a childs helium baloon. They are not likely to take any action in any situation, but are also not likely to make a good witness.
Some companies consider guards to be better because they are so afraid of liability that they don't want their guards to do anything. They simply hope that the presense of a body in a uniform will be enough to deter any problems.
Armed Officers may find other challenges. Does the employer supply body armor? Do they allow you to carry a round loaded into the chamber of your firearm? Do they allow you to cary a loaded magazine in the firearm? Don't laugh. I have seen employers that don't ALLOW armed officers to wear body armor, carry a round in the chamber, or even carry a loaded magazine in the firearm. Having worked long enough, I can tell you that in a bad situation the uniform alone makes you a target. It doesn't matter if you are carrying a firearm or not. If you are working an armored car detail and your company has any of these policies - I'd recommend that you look for other employment.
Make sure that you find a company that is reliable, reputable, and has policies that reflect the real world. I also recommend that YOU go get all of the training you can. Don't rely completely on the company you work for. Read books, get training videos, take classes.
I would also recommend that you get your American Red Cross Professional Rescuer Certification, or at least learn First Aid, CPR, and the use of the AED. You are more likely to encounter a medical emergency than you are to get into a gunfight or arrest a bad guy.
The life of a Contract Security Officer is generally routine, and it certainly lacks any glory. But it is an important job function, and CSO's need to be constantly alert to anything and prepared for everything. If you have good powers of observation [you notice all of the little things], have good writing skills, and are responsible and trustworthy, you might make a good Contract Security Officer.
Contract Security Officers are paid anywhere from minimum wage up to over $25/hour depending on their expereince and the duties expected of them on the job. Generally, armed guards make more than unarmed guards. They often own their equipment which includes their duty belt, handcuffs, flashlights, batons, and firearms. This can run from less than $100 to over $1000 for an armed guard depending on the price of the firearm. Add $500 to $1500 for a bullet-proof vest if desired. I strongly recommend them for any Security Guard - armed or unarmed. You never know who you might run into. I wear a Level III-A myself, the strongest you can get that isn't worn over your clothing.
Since 11-September-2001 the world has become a little more interesting. Private Security Officers are more in demand, and many are working very closely with local law enforcement. Private or village security came before formal law enforcement. Today, private security can fill in a lot of the gaps where law enforcement can't be. If you can find a good, reputable company to work for, then there is a lot of work out there.
Being a Security Officer can be fun, but it can also be very tedious. You may also work graveyard and swing shifts which are not always desireable. If you are the sort of person that can deal with this, then maybe you should investigate this career. It can be very rewarding.
Click Here To Learn How To Avoid A Badge-i-tude
Click Here For Information On Body Armor
Click Here To See The Utah Security Personnel Licensing Act
Click Here To See The Utah Security Personnel Licensing Act Rules