Security Guard Baltimore Maryland are often the first responders to an emergency. They are alert, prepared, and highly trained to handle any situation.
Residential neighborhoods and apartment complexes leverage their services to conduct neighborhood watch programs, provide a constant security presence, monitor building access, detect suspicious activity, detain suspects until police arrive, and liaise between security and emergency services. They also write reports and offer customer service assistance.
Whether armed or unarmed, a security guard’s job is to protect people and property. This means that he or she needs to be able to spot danger and quickly react to it. This includes recognizing suspicious activity like someone attempting to break into the property and alerting the appropriate authorities. Security guards also help prevent theft and vandalism by patrolling and monitoring the premises. They also collaborate with law enforcement officers when serious incidents occur.
A security guard’s other duties include enforcing the laws and regulations that pertain to the premises they protect, maintaining order at crowded events and monitoring entrances. They may also be responsible for conducting investigations into incidents that occur on their assigned premises, responding to alarms and providing customer service assistance.
Security guards are often the first on the scene of an accident or emergency. As such, they need to be able to ascertain what is happening and who the involved parties are and then contact the relevant organizations. They also have to be able to provide basic first aid or CPR when necessary and assist injured persons until emergency services arrive.
One of the most important skills a security guard needs to have is the ability to keep calm and stay focused in stressful or dangerous situations. They must be able to defuse tense situations and nip things in the bud before they get out of hand, and they need to have an excellent sense of hearing, sight and smell so that they can quickly identify any threats or concerns.
In addition to being able to handle themselves in an emergency situation, security guards must also be able to communicate clearly and effectively. They must be able to relay information in a way that others can understand, and they should also be able to write detailed reports on their work.
Security guards are also tasked with training new hires and continuing their own education so that they can improve their skillset. They should attend classes that focus on safety protocols, firearms training and usage (if applicable) and other areas that can help them perform their duties safely and effectively.
Training Requirements
Security guards are trained to watch over the premises they’re protecting and to be able to identify potential risks. They’ll use surveillance equipment like cameras and monitors, and they should know emergency response procedures, such as fire protocols. Many also take courses in conflict de-escalation, so they can keep people safe if a situation escalates or they encounter suspicious activity.
Training requirements vary by state and are usually dictated by the local police department. New York, for example, requires all security guards to pass a background check and have a clean criminal record. Those who want to work for the city must also complete a 16-hour on-the-job training course and obtain a registration card.
Private companies that employ security guards can choose to require that their employees attend additional training. The union that represents the 12,000 or so guards working in New York, 32BJ, for instance, offers courses to its members that cover topics from security techniques and emergency preparedness to professional development.
Those who haven’t yet become licensed guards should find an accredited NYS DCJS-approved school to enroll in training courses, which often cover basic concepts such as patrolling and observational skills. They can also learn how to handle and operate X-ray and metal detector equipment, as well as how to respond to medical emergencies.
Once they’ve completed their training, applicants can apply for a license. In most cases, they’ll need to submit a comprehensive application form accompanied by the required documentation and a fee. In some instances, a security guard must go through an administrative hearing if they’re rejected for any reason.
A number of states, including New York, have a single set of statewide regulations for security guards. However, some cities, such as Denver and Indianapolis, have their own regulations for those who want to work in their respective areas. Professor Mahesh Nalla, a criminal justice expert at Michigan State University and one of the few researchers who study the industry, says that categorizing industries and requiring more rigorous training in some cities might be a good idea.
Providing ongoing training helps your guards stay engaged, shows you value their knowledge, and can help them improve their performance on the job. Connecteam’s admin dashboard gives you the ability to track each employee’s progress and course completion through advanced reporting and data visualization tools.
Physical Requirements
A security guard’s job requires more than just knowledge and training. He must also be physically fit to complete his duties. Being in good physical shape helps him to handle the long hours of patrolling and the need for vigilance, as well as the sudden bursts of activity like responding to alarms or chasing suspects. In addition, he may need to be able to quickly and effectively de-escalate disturbances or restrain people if necessary.
In order to maintain a high level of fitness, a security guard should engage in cardiovascular and strength-training exercises. Cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen heart muscles, improve circulation, and enhance lung capacity. Incorporating routines like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming into one’s fitness regimen is an effective way to build stamina and endurance for longer shifts. Incorporating resistance training into a routine helps build muscular strength, allowing security guards to endure prolonged periods of standing or patrolling while being able to react quickly in an emergency situation.
Additionally, a security guard should be agile and flexible in order to maneuver through tight spaces or obstacles. This is especially important in areas where a guard might need to physically restrain a person if necessary. Guards should practice yoga and stretching routines such as the plank, push-ups and wall sits in order to maintain flexibility and agility.
Finally, a security guard should be able to provide first aid and/or CPR if needed in the event of an accident or medical incident. Being able to offer immediate help until medical professionals arrive is crucial to ensuring the safety of the property and its occupants. In addition, a security guard should be able help injured people to a safe area until authorities arrive on scene.
While some security jobs, such as close protection and bodyguard positions, may seem more physically demanding than others, a basic level of fitness is essential for all security roles. Even security jobs that appear to be less strenuous, such as monitoring security camera footage, require quick bursts of physical activity in the case of an alarm or a suspected intruder.
Communication Skills
Security guards need to communicate with clients, employees, and visitors in a variety of situations. Whether it’s explaining safety procedures, addressing concerns or reporting incidents, effective communication is key to building confidence in the people they interact with. Security guards must also be able to interpret and respond to non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions.
Observation skills allow security guards to anticipate potential threats and react quickly before they happen. They need to be able to spot suspicious activity, such as loitering, unusual noises or unusual smells. They must also be able to accurately report their findings so that the appropriate authorities are notified as soon as possible.
The ability to communicate effectively is especially important during emergency scenarios. For example, a security guard who can clearly instruct people on where to go or what to do during an evacuation helps to prevent panic and confusion. The same is true for coordinating with other security personnel during an incident.
Good communication skills can defuse conflicts, too. A security guard can use active listening and empathy to calm people down and diffuse tension. They can also use a variety of mediation techniques to guide parties toward mutual resolution, which promotes a safer environment.
Ongoing training is another essential component of security guards’ communication skills. These sessions provide a platform for security professionals to share experiences, learn from real-life case studies and collaboratively problem-solve. They can also take advantage of conflict resolution training, which teaches them to approach disputes assertively yet respectfully while promoting a culture of cooperation and safety.
In addition to verbal and non-verbal communication, security guards must be able to write reports in a timely manner. This can include incident reports, daily logs or notes for supervisors. Security guards should be able to write clearly and concisely and follow proper grammar and punctuation standards.
Security guards often find themselves in volatile and unpredictable situations, such as a dispute between employees or disagreements among visitors at an event. In these situations, they need to be able to defuse tensions and address the underlying issues that are contributing to the conflict. This involves establishing clear and consistent security policies and implementing them consistently.