What security guards can and can't do

Security checking is the pillar of maintaining the safety of an institution. Whether it is a school or a shopping mall, security guards play an instrumental role in providing thorough security to the place. Security guards are in charge of preventing theft, robbery, vandalism, trespassing, and other criminal activities. While security personal are allowed to take certain actions to perform their tasks seamlessly, they must remember that there are things that they cannot do.

Things security guards can do

Security personnel is in charge of the safety of an institution and thus they are empowered with certain authorities to prevent unwanted situations. Here is an outline of things that a security guard can do.

Frisk a person

This is the most common task of a security guard. Be it a residential apartment or a cinema hall, security guards are deployed to check whether people are entering with unauthorized objects. As a security guard, you must ask a person first before frisking. In case you find an object which is not authorized, inform the same immediately to security officers.

Ask a person to wait

A security guard needs to ensure that no unauthorized person is entering the facility. For example, as a security guard of a commercial facility, you must make sure that people who are entering have tickets and proper booking slips. If the person is unable to produce sufficient documents, you can make him or her wait and inform your supervisor.

Arrest if caught red-handed

A security guard can arrest criminals and culprits if they are caught in the act, red-handed. For instance, if you find a group of burglars trying to break in, you can arrest them immediately and take them into your custody. However, call your supervisor immediately after the arrest.

Things security guards can’t do

There are a few things that a security guard is not entitled to do. Please refer to the following points for a brief outline of the same.

Can’t use force

If you find someone suspicious, it is better to call your immediate officer. Do not use force until it is not in self-defense. For instance, spitting on the floor is an unauthorized act but not a crime. If you find a person spitting within the campus / premise, you can ask for fines. However, you cannot use force or show arms to the person. On the contrary, if you find someone trying to break in, you can use force to stop the criminal.

Can’t carry a weapon if not certified

Only a few security guards are certified to carry arms. If you are not a certified security guard to carry a gun or any sort of weapon, you should never carry arms. If you carry arms, it will be seen as a breach of policy and actions will be taken against you.

Want to know about our offers first?

Subscribe to our newsletter