Adopting a preventative rather than reactive approach, security guards are responsible for protecting people and property by maintaining safety protocols at all times, and the following 6 duties are among some they are typically expected to follow:

1. Form visible protection at all times

Because the role of a security guard is to deter crimes from taking place to, on or around the person or property they’ve been assigned to protect, they must maintain a clearly visible presence at all times. If a person with criminal intentions believes that a person or property is unprotected, they’re far more likely to target it.

2. Remain vigilant

A good security guard is always on the look-out for anything untoward or suspicious, and remains vigilant even when the threat of danger may be low. Experienced criminals will observe the habits of security guards and watch for times when they may be less vigilant; this could provide them with an opportunity to enter a building undetected or carry out a criminal act of vandalism. As such, it’s imperative that the security guard is alert and attentive at all times.

3. Respond swiftly and appropriately in an emergency

Once an emergency situation (or potential emergency situation) has been spotted, the security guard must act quickly in response, to take control of things before they escalate. This may or may not include calling the police or fire service; a lot will depend upon the severity of the incident and threat level posed. In some cases, even if the security guard is able to handle the incident appropriately themselves, the police may still need to be notified.

4. Observe and report

In the event of an emergency or other such dangerous situation, the security guard must continue to be vigilant and at the earliest, safe opportunity, report the incident to an appropriate supervisor or the relevant emergency service.

5. Upholding rules and policies

In some instances, a security guard may be required to uphold certain rules and policies that their employer has laid down for them, such as searching all visitors before they enter the property, granting entry only to those with a prior appointment, or checking employee ID cards before granting them access to the work premises, among others. Failure to uphold these rules could result in disciplinary action, and at the worst, a security breach may occur due to a lack of adherence to proper checks as specified.

6. Maintain order

Large events such as concerts, parties and religious assemblies often have numerous security guards present to help control crowds and maintain a sense of order at all times. As the security guard at a large event, you may be responsible for maintaining order over a certain section of the crowd or event arena, or you may be part of a patrolling guard moving strategically throughout the venue.

All told, security guards have a lot of responsibility, and while vigilance may vary from ordinary to hyper - according to the venue or person being protected - they must always remain attentive, alert, and watchful for any signs of suspicious activity. Become a licensed security professional with an extensive skill set and certifications that get you high-profile security projects by joining security guard training center.

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