Security guards role in preventing crime or terrorism

Our current security environment is dynamic with many threats to our businesses and personal lives.

Terrorism still a major concern both in Australia and overseas.

We place a huge responsibility on in-house or contracted security guards’ shoulders to ensure that our facilities and premises are safe from terrorist and criminal attack.

This requires guards’ to be alert, disciplined in their observation and reporting skills and have a mature, experience-based knowledge of people’s behaviour in determining what activities and actions may be innocent and what may be suspicious and of security interest.

As a security guard, your observations and reports form the basis of any intelligence led drive towards reducing the risk of criminal or terrorist action against your company or client.   Log Sheets detailing information relating to suspicious activities, provides security and risk managers additional information that assists in analysing the event, passing information on to Police for further action and hopefully reducing the threat through proactive security measures.

What then are we looking for?

Unusual videotaping or photography of official buildings, corporate headquarter offices, shopping malls, churches or critical infrastructure.

Videorecording is one of the ways terrorists gather information about a target. In 2001, a major terrorist plot in Singapore was averted when videotapes of buildings to be attacked, including the Australian High Commission, were discovered.

Be aware and be alert to any suspicious activity of persons filming the area where you are stationed.

Suspicious vehicles near significant buildings or in busy public places

Terrorists and criminals use vehicles for many different purposes, from surveillance to planting bombs, such as in Bali.

Vehicles may be parked for an unusually long time, sometimes in no-parking areas.

Explosives can be heavy, so cars and vans may sit abnormally low on their suspension.

They may be out of registration or have false or missing number plates. Overseas, a terrorist attack was foiled after police became suspicious of a car with front and rear number plates that didn’t match.

Criminals may visit premises several times to gather intelligence on behaviour patterns of staff and security in order to seek the best time to commit a crime with the least possible chance of detection.

False or multiple identities

Terrorists and criminals frequently use stolen or fake documents, including passports and driver’s licences. They can also have several identities and may give conflicting details to those they come into contact with.

Overseas, alert bank employees noticed a series of unusual transactions and identified an account that had been opened in a false name. They reported it to authorities, who uncovered links to a terrorist group.

Unattended bags

If you see an unattended package or bag in a public place, with no apparent reason for being there, here’s what to do:

·                Ask if anyone owns it.

·                If no one does, don’t touch it.

·                Alert others to keep away.

·                If in a shopping mall or building where there is mass gathering, contact their security, or

·                Call local police or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

Please Accept Heightened Security

Security has been substantially increased in Australia. It can seem an inconvenience, but it is important to remember that these measures are in place to protect us all.
 
As security guards, you have an important role to play in our overall protective strategy within this heightened security environment

Security Officer Initial Incident Investigations

“The provision of security patrols as well as controlling crime scenes identified during a patrol is a responsibility not only expected of us by business; it is an expectation of society that we carry out these functions and carry them out in a professional manner”

As the guard on the spot, it will often be up to you to undertake a preliminary investigation which will assist Police or Agency investigators in their overall investigation into any crime or security incident.

You must determine the boundaries of the crime scene, which will require an initial investigation.  A premature definition of the crime scene may cause loss or destruction of evidence outside the established area defined as the crime scene.

Use your senses to determine the boundary of any crime or security incident scene. 

Yours eyes can notice the obvious evidence, including evidence of entry points or exit points but you must also identify other physical evidence that may appear to be out of place or just shouldn’t be at the scene. 

Your ears can identify unusual noises or sounds that do not belong at the scene (it could be someone running away from the scene or machinery running that would not normally be operating). 

Use your sense of smell to determine unusual odours that do not normally belong at the scene of the crime scene.  Is there a small of gas, alcohol, petrol or other odours?

Once the crime or security incident scene has been established it must be protected.  This can be accomplished by the observance of the following three rules:

1.         Protect

2.         Preserve

3.         Make Notes

Protect the Scene

The first priority once you are on the scene is to prevent unauthorised access to the crime scene area.

This means that all personnel, bystanders and anyone else who happened to be in the area to stop to look, be prevented from entering the crime scene area. 

Ask all personnel in the area if they know anything about the crime then direct all unauthorised personnel to leave the area and remain outside the area until told to return by Police. 

Ensure that witnesses or persons of interest must be asked to remain in the vicinity, outside the crime scene to await Police interview.

Preserve the Scene

Preserve the scene exactly as it was first discovered.  Nothing must be moved, removed or altered in any way; and no evidence, real or suspect, may be added to the scene.  This merely confuses the scene for qualified experts who must, from the evidence, reconstruct the crime.

Complete crime scene protection will enhance the security guards’ image and greatly improve crime solution potential.

The best way to achieve this is to keep your hands to yourself.

Making Notes

In the initial stages of protecting a crime scene, there is normally a certain amount of confusion.  It is important that the guard realize that time is vital and that many details he/she has seen will quickly be forgotten unless committed to a notebook.

The moment the guard arrives, he/she should commit important information to their notebook.   The date/time of arrival, the date/time of occurrence, who was present on arrival and what happened.  Also, who initiated the call in the first place and all other pertinent information pertaining to the crime scene.  

As soon as possible after arriving at the scene, the guard should attempt to reconstruct, in their mind, the crime scene to be protected.   This reconstruction may lead to further evidence that was not readily apparent upon arrival or after an initial search of the area.  In some instances, a small sketch in the notebook showing the scene as it was found can be of great value for future reference.

Ensure that your notes are accurate and complete.  They may prove to be invaluable as the investigation progresses.

By using all of your senses, your intellect and keen observation skills, recording and noting everything that you see, smell, hear and feel, you will be not only assisting investigators but also enhancing your own reputation as being a credible person to be entrusted in the important role of protecting and preserving crime scenes and security incident scenes.

The Security Log

The Guard Log needs to provide as much detail as possible in relation to any incident that is being reported. 

It is essential that it is accurate, and you take the time to reflect on the incident and provide as much detail as possible.

This information may become critical if the incident requires further investigation.  It may also assist in providing information to other areas, if they need to be alert for similar activity. 

The following guide is not exhaustive; however, it provides an example of the type of information you should attempt to detail in your logs:

·              Date and exact time of incident.

·              Exact location. Attach a diagram if necessary.

·              Direction of movement of vehicles or persons, attach a sketch map showing streets, building locations etc.

·              Vehicle description; make, model, colour, type (sedan/hatch etc) registration (NT, ACT, NSW etc), any distinguishing features? (mag wheels, body kits, exhaust note etc).  Direction of travel?  Had it been seen in the area before?  Was it speeding/cruising?  What were the occupants doing? How many occupants were there? 

·              Description of suspect persons; age, sex, ethnic group or nationality, height and build, hair colour, what where they wearing? (colour, logos, hats, backpacks, footwear).  Did they have an accent?  Distinguishing features (beard, moustache, scars, glasses, tattoos).  What did they say? How were they acting?  What made you suspicious? Did you say anything to suspects? What was their reaction?

·              Following any suspicious activity, a detailed search of the perimeter of the building should be conducted.  Check for signs of forced entry on all external doors and windows.  If evidence of forced entry is found, call the police the clients duty manager.

Care should be taken not to disturb the crime scene.  Do not touch anything and keep any bystanders away from the area until the police arrive.

·             Remember you are on site to identify and report any suspicious activity.  Your safety is paramount.  Do not give chase or attempt to apprehend any suspect persons.  If the situation may lead to a risk of harm, call the police and let them deal with the situation.

It is essential that any suspicious event that occurs on your shift is detailed in the log and brought to the attention of other team members on hand over.  

Although the logs should be regularly reviewed by the client, it is important that any unusual activity is highlighted and verbally reported to the client as soon as possible.

The client is thus able to analyse the information giving additional value to the work that you do:
  

The art of patrolling for Security Officers

The art of patrolling

The term “patrol” is thought to be derived from the French word “patroullier”, which originally meant “to tramp in the mud.”  To many guards who carry out patrols, this translation may very well reflect what may be described as a function that is “arduous, tiring, difficult, and performed in conditions other than ideal.”

Security patrols may be routine and boring to some; however, the patrol activity of today is much more than “tramping in the mud”.  The officer of today who protects a facility or building is responsible for the safety and security of physical – and often intellectual – assets of tremendously high value.  He/she is responsible for the safety and security of a work force consisting of people who are educated, well-trained and professional – a huge investment of human worth and productivity.  Today’s security officer has the availability of training and technology heretofore unheard of. 

We now live in an age of rising crime rates both against people and against companies and institutions.  We have an overloaded legal system and more and more litigation.  At the same time there is more demand from property and organisational managers in terms of protection from crime, fire, disaster and accident   Administrative agencies at Federal, State and local Government levels continue to enact new regulations that employers must comply with, which often have a direct impact on the tasks that security officers undertake.

Security Officers have more responsibility now than they have ever had before.  In fact, the patrol function is more than just the backbone of security; it is also the heart and soul of a total loss control approach.

The purpose of a patrol

The function of security is to prevent and control loss.  As a means of accomplishing this, patrol officers make periodic checks around a facility or building.  Therefore, patrol can be defined as the act of moving around an area to provide protection and conduct observation. 

This is a fairly simplistic definition, since while protection and observation may be the major elements of patrols, there are numerous other functions that the officer may be called upon to perform during his or her tour of duty. 

Based on organizational needs, there are several major purposes of patrols:

1.         Detection of criminal or unauthorised activity,

2.         Prevention or deterrence of crime and unauthorised activity,

3.         Ensure compliance with organisational policy,

4.         Assess, report and record loss causing situations or circumstances,

5.         Investigate events or incidents as directed,

6.         Test and inspect the physical security system.  This includes alarms, locks, lights, CCTV, access points and physical barriers such as fence-lines.
While assuming greater importance in high security installations, this is a function of patrols in all environments to some degree or other. 

7.      Inspect fire fighting and first aid equipment on your patrol route. Is it in functioning order? have first aid supplies been maintained or do they look as though they may have been tampered with?

8.         Act as a compensatory measure during system outages.  During a system outage such as power, the officer may call maintenance, provide static guarding or regular checks until the matter is resolved,

9.         Respond to emergencies, and

10.      Performance of other services required by management or client.

In all instances detailed above each patrol provides the eyes and ears of security.

The provision of security patrols is not an afterthought; it is a business necessity.



Preparation for patrols

Preparation for going on patrol is not only the physical act of putting on a uniform; it also requires mental and psychological preparation.

·             Security officers should act and look professional.

·            Officers should have a positive attitude and an accompanying bearing that reflects courtesy, politeness and a willingness to assist.

·             A successful officer is one who is able to combine a logical suspicion with a skilful observer and has enough natural curiosity to investigate those conditions that he or she feels are unusual.

Some techniques that enhance an officer’s ability to detect unusual situations include:

·            Getting to know people in the patrol environment.  Maintain a professional, not personal, relationship with them.  Have some idea what their job and/or functions are.  Most people will gladly elaborate, within reason, what they do if asked in a tactful manner.

·             Inspecting equipment.  Get into the habit of checking maintenance tags on equipment.  Know what the equipment does.

·            Getting to know the maintenance and cleaning personnel and procedures.  Get to know their work patterns.

·             Become familiar with the alarms and CCTV in each protected point and area.

Proper training and preparation for patrols, professional work habits and attentive patrolling techniques will enhance the security officer’s skills and abilities which could be encapsulated into the following acronym

P         Preparation

A         Alertness

T         Thoroughness

R         Reports

O         Observations

L          Language (Communications).

The role of a security guard

As Security Guards employed to work for a company client you carry on the very important role of representing both your security company as well as the client in all your actions undertaken at your station or post.

Each Station and Post is an integral part of the client’s protective security strategy, providing ongoing monitoring and quick response to incidents and events that may occur.  You are a critical part in this strategy as the client’s front-line eyes, ears and physical presence, being alert, curious, conscientious and displaying professional initiative in responding to incidents or events in a timely and professional manner.

What then do we expect of you as Security Guards?

As a Security Officer or Guard, you will often work alone, making your own decisions, acting as your own master, depending on your own conscience.  Your security colleagues may be dispersed over a wide area. 

You may find yourself working under different circumstances from one day (or night) to the next.  Communications may be difficult; temptations may be great, and emergencies or alarms may occur at any time and call for decisive action.

For these reasons, it is not only desirable; it is indispensable, that you maintain a very high standard of efficiency, honesty and general conduct as a member of the security team.

Your functions extend to all matters relating to physical security and can encompass faulty CCTV cameras’, open security cabinets, insecure documents, faulty electrical wiring, slippery paths, dangerous plant or equipment within the site, lack of first aid supplies, broken lights, loose key control, leaking taps etc., etc. 

All matters should be the subject of a security report.  Constant vigilance, imagination and persistence should be given to these matters.  Your contact lists will detail who you should report these issues to.

Your functions also cover the supervision of all clients site rules which pertain to security or OH&S matters.   Smoking rules, alcohol rules, car parking rules, traffic rules, entry of visitors, security of information, disposal of rubbish, use of exits, locking of office space by employees, storage of documents in appropriate containers, etc.  An employee who breaks such rules should be reported to the appropriate manager or where security infringements have occurred an infringement report should be completed.

Security is not attempting to police all behaviour as there will be employees and contract workers who do not realise the reasons behind a security rule nor the possible consequences of breaking it. However, employees or contract workers who habitually break a client’s security or OH&S rules and are not amenable when spoken to, should be reported.

We require you to:

·                Be inquisitive as to what is occurring in your work environment,

·                Be decisive in your actions,

·                Display high levels of initiative,

·                Be honest in your behaviour and reporting,

·                Be loyal to your security company, your client and your team,

·                Be efficient and effective in your role as a Security Guard maintaining high standards.

As a backup, you have your security company line supervisors and managers to assist you as necessary.