Security Guard Job Description

Job Description & introductory materials

Security Guard Job Summary

The main role of a Security Guard is to ensure the safety of individuals, property, and information in connection with the client’s location. Operating under the overall guidance of and reporting to the Security Supervisor, the Security Guard holds a pivotal position responsible for receiving and executing client instructions, adhering to directives from the contract security company, and complying with all established policies. Additionally, the Security Guard fulfills all assigned duties as directed by the Security Supervisor or higher-ranking authorities.

Duties and responsibilities

Security guards have a wide range of duties and responsibilities, which can vary depending on their specific assignment and location. Here are some common duties and responsibilities of security guards:

Protection of People: The primary responsibility of a security guard is to protect people on the premises they are assigned to. This includes employees, visitors, and sometimes even the general public.
Property Protection: Security guards are responsible for safeguarding the property they are assigned to. This can include buildings, equipment, merchandise, and other assets.
Crime Prevention: Security guards deter criminal activity through their presence and vigilance. They may also monitor surveillance cameras and alarms to detect and prevent unauthorized access or theft.
Emergency Response: Security guards must be prepared to respond to various emergencies, such as fires, medical incidents, or security breaches. They may provide assistance, coordinate evacuations, or contact emergency services as needed.
Access Control: Security guards often control access to a facility by checking identification, verifying credentials, and ensuring that only authorized individuals enter the premises.
Patrolling: Security guards may conduct regular patrols of the area they are responsible for, looking for signs of suspicious activity or safety hazards.
Reporting Incidents: Security guards are typically required to write detailed reports of any incidents, accidents, or unusual occurrences that take place during their shift. These reports can be used for documentation and potential legal purposes.
Customer Service: In many settings, security guards also serve as a point of contact for visitors and employees. They may provide directions, answer questions, and offer assistance in a courteous manner.
Enforcement of Rules: Security guards may be responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations set by their clients. This can include enforcing policies related to smoking, parking, or access to certain areas.
Observation and Vigilance: Guards must maintain a high level of alertness and pay close attention to their surroundings. They should be ready to respond quickly to any unusual or threatening situations.
Conflict Resolution: When conflicts arise, security guards may be called upon to defuse tense situations and resolve disputes in a calm and professional manner.
Coordination with Law Enforcement: In some cases, security guards work closely with local law enforcement agencies, providing them with information and assistance during investigations.
First Aid: Security guards may be trained to administer basic first aid and CPR in the event of medical emergencies.
Maintaining Records: Guards often keep records of incidents, visitor logs, and other documentation to ensure accountability and compliance with security protocols.
Patience and Professionalism: Security guards must interact with a wide range of individuals, including those who may be agitated or upset. Maintaining patience and professionalism is essential.

These duties and responsibilities highlight the diverse and crucial role that security guards play in maintaining safety and security in various environments. The specific tasks assigned to a security guard can vary based on the needs and expectations of their clients and employers.

Education and experience

Minimum Requirements: The Security Professional (Those at the higher levels) must have a literacy and academic functioning ability at the grade 12 levels or equivalent experience and abilities.

Knowledge & Abilities

Knowledge and abilities play a crucial role in the effectiveness of security professionals. Here are some key knowledge areas and abilities required for security personnel:

Knowledge:

Security Protocols: Security personnel should have a good understanding of security protocols, procedures, and best practices relevant to their specific role. This includes knowledge of access control, surveillance, emergency response, and incident reporting.
Legal Regulations: An awareness of relevant laws and regulations governing security operations is essential. Security professionals should understand the legal limits of their authority and the rights of individuals they interact with.
Emergency Response: Knowledge of how to respond to various emergency situations, including fires, medical emergencies, and security breaches, is vital. This includes knowing evacuation procedures and first aid techniques.
Technology: Depending on their role, security personnel may need familiarity with security equipment and technology, such as surveillance cameras, access control systems, and alarm systems.
Communication: Effective communication skills are critical. Security personnel should be able to communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing (for incident reports) and verbally (when interacting with colleagues, clients, and the public).
Crisis Management: Understanding how to assess and manage crisis situations is essential. This includes making quick and informed decisions in high-stress environments.

Abilities:

Communication Skills: Security professionals must be able to communicate clearly and confidently. This includes the ability to de-escalate tense situations through effective communication.
Interpersonal Skills: The ability to interact with others, including colleagues, clients, and the public, is crucial. This involves professionalism, empathy, and conflict resolution skills.
Teamwork: Security often involves working as part of a team. Security personnel should collaborate effectively with colleagues and coordinate efforts during emergencies or security incidents.
Multitasking: Security environments can be fast-paced, requiring the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Security professionals should prioritize and manage their workload efficiently.
Physical Fitness: Depending on the role, security personnel may need physical fitness and stamina. This is especially important for roles that involve patrolling, responding to physical threats, or standing for extended periods.
Adaptability: Security situations can change rapidly. Security professionals should be adaptable and able to respond to evolving circumstances.
Observational Skills: The ability to observe and assess situations, people, and environments is critical for security personnel. Attention to detail and situational awareness are valuable skills.
Problem-Solving: Security professionals often encounter challenging situations that require problem-solving skills. They should be able to assess risks and develop effective solutions.
Conflict Resolution: Security personnel may encounter conflicts or disputes. Having conflict resolution skills helps de-escalate situations and maintain a safe environment.
Time Management: Efficiently managing time and resources is important. Security professionals should respond promptly to incidents and prioritize tasks effectively.
Critical Thinking: The ability to think critically and make informed decisions under pressure is a valuable asset for security personnel.

These knowledge areas and abilities contribute to the overall effectiveness of security professionals in fulfilling their duties to protect people, property, and information. Specific roles within the security field may have additional requirements and specialized knowledge areas.

Mobile Patrol:

Responsibilities: Mobile patrol guards are tasked with various duties, including alarm response, conducting premise visits, responding to critical incidents, and enforcing rules and regulations on private property as contracted by clients.
Licensing: Mobile patrol guards typically require a valid G-2 or higher driver’s license. Preference may be given to those with a full G-class license and a minimum of five years of driving experience listed on an insurance policy.

Supervisor:

Responsibilities: Supervisors in the security field have advanced responsibilities and often oversee security operations. They should possess a strong knowledge of security procedures, access control systems, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems, and other security technologies.
Experience: Supervisors are typically more experienced and skilled security professionals who have demonstrated expertise in various security aspects.

Loss Prevention Personnel (L.P.P.):

Responsibilities: Loss prevention personnel, often working in plain clothes, are primarily focused on detecting theft, identifying and apprehending shoplifters, and preventing the loss of merchandise and other assets. They are commonly employed in retail settings.
Role: The role of L.P.P. involves maintaining security within a retail environment, monitoring surveillance cameras, conducting investigations, and working closely with store management to mitigate losses.

These roles highlight the diversity of responsibilities and expertise within the security industry, ranging from mobile patrol guards who handle a wide range of security tasks to supervisors with advanced knowledge and skills, and loss prevention personnel specializing in retail security. The specific duties and qualifications for each role may vary depending on the employer and the nature of the security services provided.

Body Guard

A Bodyguard is an undercover Security Guard specializing in safeguarding individuals who face potential risks. This role demands advanced training in executive protection or close protection, encompassing skills in physical control, counter-surveillance, technology utilization, security tactics, and maintaining exceptional physical fitness levels.

General Job Specifications

All Contract Security Guards must possess valid Ministry licenses, which could be for Security Guard, Private Investigator, or both (Dual), along with a current Emergency First Aid & CPR Level-B certificate. A clean criminal record is mandatory, and any regulatory offenses must have been processed and cleared as acceptable by the Ministry. Security Guards must meet the training and testing criteria established by the Ministry.

Additionally, all Guards must be at least 18 years old. Security Guards involved in intervention activities should meet certification standards for handcuff usage.

Certified Contract Officers responsible for parking enforcement, as mandated by the contract company, must be willing and able to meet municipal standards and maintain the necessary certifications.

Furthermore, certain security personnel may need to provide or obtain specific safety equipment and tools at their own expense. These items may include a duty belt, approved black polish=able safety boots, handcuffs, and body armor, depending on their assignment and the company’s requirements.

Applicants should demonstrate maturity, physical fitness in line with job specifications, and discipline. Some Guards may require sufficient experience in arrests, intervention, and handling physical confrontations. Moreover, they should possess the ability to effectively communicate via a two-way radio.

Working Conditions

In this profession, individuals may be required to perform various roles, although the specific tasks often depend on the assignment. For instance, driving patrol cars under challenging conditions, enduring extended shifts exceeding 12 hours, often during nighttime, and navigating through various traffic and weather challenges are common aspects of the job.

Physical fatigue can result from driving, conducting patrols, walking long distances across diverse terrains, including stairs, outdoor areas with ice or snow, hard concrete floors, and responding to alarms or incidents. Extensive report writing, overtime hours, reading in poor lighting, and potential physical altercations during interventions can further contribute to physical fatigue.

Mental stress may arise from making tactical decisions in immediate and critical situations, where the consequences may include severe injury, loss of life, or legal repercussions if judgments are flawed. In critical encounters, interactions with the public, clients, and subjects of interventions may expose Guards to criticism, workplace hostility, and pressures to meet deadlines. Shift work and extended work periods can disrupt one’s lifestyle.

Encounters with uncooperative individuals can lead to mental anguish and fatigue or even serious physical harm or death. These situations can arise from routine patrol duties gone awry or during contingencies like break-ins, calls for assistance, removal of unwanted intruders, or violent arrests. Car accidents also pose a potential risk of personal injury. Additionally, custody and care of property and keys may present challenges, and there’s a possibility of experiencing shootings, stabbings, or injuries from assaults.

Various health issues such as heart disease, ulcers, post-traumatic stress disorder, fractures, sprains, bruises, cuts, abrasions, eye strain, and severe physical fatigue may manifest. The repeated activation of the sympathetic nervous system due to high-risk situations can accelerate the onset of these symptoms.

The role of the Security Guard involves preventing crime by providing a visible deterrent and ensuring the safety and integrity of premises, including hazard mitigation. This includes inspecting and making minor repairs to locking mechanisms, alarm systems, fire detection equipment, environmental systems, auxiliary power sources, lights, and sump pumps to minimize risks to life, property, or proprietary information.

Security Guards also investigate alarm triggers, suspicious individuals or activities (either discovered or reported), and interview various stakeholders, including the public, clients, staff, tenants, law enforcement, criminals, and trespassers.

Enforcement of client rules and regulations, the Trespass to Property Act, Criminal Code of Canada (on or in relation to contracted private property), and other relevant statutes and by-laws is a vital part of the role. Guards select appropriate and effective intervention measures, which may involve issuing fines, prohibiting entry, physically removing offenders, and making arrests when necessary. Physical control and restraint may be employed when dealing with violent or hostile individuals. Guards also attend court or tribunals to provide evidence when legally subpoenaed or summonsed, related to their enforcement duties.

Security Guards must promptly respond to various situations, such as intrusions, critical system alerts, distress calls, medical or life safety alarms, emergency requests from clients or colleagues, and contingencies like individuals trapped in elevators, harassment, reported intruders, or suspicious activities. They should possess comprehensive knowledge and competence in addressing these situations, remaining composed while assessing, planning, and taking appropriate actions in accordance with established methods, procedures, or protocols, including primary emergency first aid if needed.

As Security Guards, individuals frequently handle confidential information, including alarm codes, client data, post orders, sensitive client or company information, as well as the identity and private details of young or adult offenders. They may be required to make critical decisions in response to significant incidents, such as selecting appropriate use of force responses, deciding to engage or disengage, approaching or avoiding a situation, requesting support, entering or avoiding an area, and assessing potential consequences or signs of intrusion or illicit activity. These decisions are based on thorough investigation and accurate determination of the situation and the individuals involved. Security Guards also prioritize their workloads and employ effective service delivery methods to fulfill the mission of the security team, the client, and the contract company.