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What is the Role of a Security Guard?

“The role of a security Guard is to provide his or her employer with professional protective services, assisting in maintaining order and security within a defined area.” Security Guards have a very difficult role when dealing with numerous parties in the course of the workday. At times, situations require security Guards to wear different “hats” to deal with different situations and people. However, the ultimate responsibility of security Guards is to protect people from harm and property from loss in the built environment.

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Security Guard Functions And Techniques

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Security Guard Functions and Techniques: The three basic functions of security Guards are to: Detect, Deter and Report. Detection: A primary function of a security Guard is to detect occurrences and circumstances which do or could affect the security of the people and premises the Guard has been hired to protect—looking for problems. * Knowing what to look for ÿ Common sense and special situations * Alertness * Good observation skills * Curiosity * Visibility: Uniforms, Patrol (Scheduled and Unscheduled).

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Deterrence: Effective deterrence means preventing security problems from developing in the first place. All of the attributes of detection contribute to deterrence. 1. Observation 2. Knowing what to look for 3. Curiosity 4. Visibility 5. Unpredictable patrol 6. Special programs 7. Crime prevention 8. Safety 9. Escort services.

 

Security Guard Duties in providing Access Control

Access Control is a critical aspect of the protection system. Different properties have different methods of screening people who enter the building. Security Guards must understand the sensitivity of access control. Without having the ability to determine who is allowed to enter the property, security Guards face a very delicate situation which can have a significant effect on the protection of the people from harm and property from loss. In New York City, for example properties have been equipped with turnstiles and other methods of controlling access. Turnstiles activate when people who are authorized to be in the property use a card access system to release the turnstiles and allow access. Although several methods to access the property via the turnstiles exist, most require that individuals who have a building identification card to display the cards to a proximity reader. In other instances cards must be swiped at the turnstile to activate them to release.

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Security Guard duties and responsibilities

The safety of tenants is important and a critical aspect of the responsibilities of the security Guard. When patrolling, security Guards must be able to identify risks. A risk is a situation that can lead to injury or death. Security Guards must be able to identify risks and report those risks so that appropriate actions are executed to lessen or remove the risk. The location of safety equipment is critical in an emergency incident. Properties have stations designed to be used by people, particular base building employees, to wash the eyes and decontaminate if they come in contact with a known or unknown substance that might lead to serious illness. Knowing the location of these washing stations allows the security staff to care for an injured person expeditiously until emergency responders arrive at the property. In all instances involving serious physical injury or illness, 911 must be activated by the security Guard who witnesses an incident or who is informed of an incident in the property. Because every property has a different reporting structure, security Guards must become familiar and know who to contact in the event of an emergency in the building, whether an injury to a person or a fire alarm activation.

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Security Guards are expected to be familiar with the following protection management areas

Security Guards are expected to be familiar with the following protection management areas: Asset Protection: Protection company equipment Loss Prevention: Prevention loss of company documents, inventory and office equipment Escort Services: Escorting guests and visitors to appropriate locations Alarm Response: Responding to fire, burglar, water and other alarms in the property Crime Prevention: Creating and administering programs to prevent crimes from occurring Accident Prevention: Through fire drills, hazardous materials safeguards and reporting dangerous conditions

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United Federation LEOS-PBA Law Enforcement Officers Security & Police Benevolent Association LEOS-PBA

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Security Guard Patrols

Patrols are generally divided into two categories: Internal or vertical patrols and perimeter patrols. Internal patrols require security Guards to walk throughout the building to ensue that all the areas are properly protected. Patrols must be highly visible to be effective. Tenants and other people in the property usually feel a sense of safety when they see security personnel walking the floors and stairwells. When conducting vertical patrols, security Guards must also check the elevator lobby doors to ensure that are secured. Excellent observation skills enhance the patrol experience for both the security Guard and the people being protected. Being aware of what belongs and what does not belong is advantageous for the security Guard. When faced with a situation where the security Guard is faced with a problem, them it is of utmost importance that the problem is communicated to the line supervisor so that the problem is corrected.

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Crowd Control is another critical aspect of security, particularly entertainment security. Concert halls and arenas can legally hold but so many people. In cases where events are over-ticketed, the potential for crowd disaster increases dramatically. Many corporate buildings have places of assembly such as auditoriums, gymnasiums, restaurants and dinner/ballrooms. Maintaining an adequate count of the number of people in the building will go a long way in preventing a crowd disaster.

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Traffic control is essential for those properties that have garages and parking lots. Ensuring that there are no automobile accidents is a very serious task that security Guards undertake. Parking, traffic flow, pedestrian walkways, communications skills and understanding corresponding laws are essential to maintain order in motor vehicle/pedestrian environments.

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CONTACT THE

UNITED FEDERATION

LEOS-PBA - DC

 

Address

1717 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 10th Floor

Washington, D.C. 20006

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Phone
Office / Fax: (202) 595-3510
Organizing: (800) 516-0094

 

UFSPSO: (914) 941-4103

Fax: (914) 941-44722

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NUSPO: (202) 499-3956

Fax: (202) 499-3956

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NUNSO: (815) 900-9944

Fax: (815) 900-9944

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PSONU: (877) - 60-PSONU

FAX:  (877) -607-7668

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FPSOA: (202)-595-3510

Fax: (202) 595-3510

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UFK9H  (800) 516-0094

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Email

organizing@leospba.org

CONTACT EAST COAST

Address

New York City Office

17 State Street, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10004

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Long Island Office

220 Old Country Road #2

Mineola, NY 11501

 

Phone
Office / Fax: (212) 457-1010
Organizing: (800) 516-0094

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Email
organizing@leospba.org

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CONTACT WEST COAST

Address

Los Angeles Office

ARCO Tower 1055 West 7th Street, 33rd Floor (Penthouse) Los Angeles, CA 90017

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Phone
Office / Fax: (213) 205-1855
Organizing: (800) 516-0094

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Hawaii Guam Saipan 808-212-9831

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Email

organizing @leospba.org

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Site Map

Lally & Misir LLP

Address

The Nassau Building

220 Old Country Road #2

Mineola, NY 11501

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Phone: (516) 741-2666

Fax: (516) 742-8533

Website: https://www.lallymisir.co

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BEINS AXELROD

Address

1717 K Street N.W.  Suite 1120 

Washington DC 20006 

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Phone: (202) 328-7222

Fax: (202) 328-7030 

Website: http://www.beinsaxelrod.com

© 2022 by Labor Unions For Security Guards | United Federation LEOS-PBA  all rights reserved

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