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).