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What does a Security Officer do?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

A security officer, also called a security guard, has the job of preventing crimes against people and property. A person with this title seeks to prevent robberies, assault, vandalism, and other crimes by guarding and patrolling an assigned area or building. These individuals may be found on duty in places such as supermarkets, electronic stores, office buildings, and malls. People also see them working in factories, banks, entertainment venues, schools, parking garages, and even in cemeteries.

Typically, a security officer spends a good deal of time on his feet, patrolling an assigned area or standing guard. Some do sit behind a desk, but they may have to patrol periodically as well. Guards are typically expected to remain alert and ready to record and report any suspicious happenings. Often, they use radios and phones to communicate with other guards and police. Sometimes, they also check employee and visitor identification, bags, and packages, and they may receive deliveries as well.

Security officers are responsible for protecting people and property against crime.
Security officers are responsible for protecting people and property against crime.

A major part of this job is acting as a deterrent to crime. The idea is that this person's mere presence will make people less likely to commit criminal acts. For example, if a security guard is visible in a store, a person may be less likely to shoplift or attempt to swipe someone's wallet. Likewise, if a guard is present in a bank, people may think twice before attempting to rob it.

A security officer must sometimes intervene to stop a crime that is being committed.
A security officer must sometimes intervene to stop a crime that is being committed.

The presence of a security guard may even prevent physical attacks. For example, a person may be less likely to start a fight in a nightclub if he knows that someone is there to eject him. Likewise, dark parking lots and long, lonely hallways can be safer when there is someone on patrol.

Unfortunately, the presence of a security officer may not always be enough to stop a person from committing a criminal act. In such case, this person may have to step in to prevent or stop the criminal activity. For example, he may apprehend someone who has shoplifted and detain him until police arrive.

Parking garages often have security officers.
Parking garages often have security officers.

How a guard handles criminal acts and suspicious situations may depend on where he works, his training, and the policies of the company in question. Often, however, he is expected to record and report suspicious activity to police rather than stop the criminal act or catch the criminal. He may also be expected to provide a description of the perpetrator and write down details like license plate numbers. Especially in cases involving armed criminals, taking such action and waiting for police to arrive may be preferred to rushing in to apprehend a criminal at the risk of his life and possibly others in the area.

Security officers at a shopping mall might stop shoplifters.
Security officers at a shopping mall might stop shoplifters.

In many places, a person who wants to become a security officer needs a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate to secure a job in this field. In some places, a person in this field must be licensed, which usually involves completing a training program, passing an exam, and submitting to background and drug checks. Some employers may prefer individuals who’ve previously worked in law enforcement or served in the military, but most provide on-the-job training.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon944919

It depends on the client. Security professionals have various duties given to them by the client. A security professional's main duty is to observe and report. The second duty is to remain conspicuous and visible, thus acting as a deterrent to criminal activity.

Depending on the site location and the client, security officers can have varying levels of authority. Without any knowledge of the security levels of the complex (though I'm assuming they are low), his duties are probably to be friendly and courteous while providing varying kinds of assistance when needed (like directions), checking safety equipment such as fire extinguishers or emergency exit signs, possibly watch a security camera system while providing a patrol around the area during set times of his shift.

He probably has no authority to say what magazines you can leave in an area unless they pose some security risk (which they probably don't unless they are near a heating source which my cause them to burst into flame) and if he enters your personal space, you should politely tell him to step out of it. If he persists, then you can contact management and even contact his security contractor to form an official complaint.

anon927645

I am concerned about an 80 year old "guard" at a one-story medical office building. He wouldn't allow me to leave magazines in waiting areas unless they were current issues. He also made it a point to stand six inches from me with his hands on his hips and stare while I refilled a sports water bottle.

Seeing such a senior citizen with a tyrant complex is unnerving and the image of an old person acting as a guard does not promote confidence. What are a guard's duties in this situation?

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    • Security officers are responsible for protecting people and property against crime.
      By: roza
      Security officers are responsible for protecting people and property against crime.
    • A security officer must sometimes intervene to stop a crime that is being committed.
      By: Leah-Anne Thompson
      A security officer must sometimes intervene to stop a crime that is being committed.
    • Parking garages often have security officers.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Parking garages often have security officers.
    • Security officers at a shopping mall might stop shoplifters.
      By: Photocreo Bednarek
      Security officers at a shopping mall might stop shoplifters.
    • Security officers might detain suspects until law enforcement arrives.
      By: donserhio
      Security officers might detain suspects until law enforcement arrives.