Whether you own a business or home, keeping it safe is critical. But sometimes even the most vigilant safety measures aren't enough to keep out intruders. I own a small food store in my neighborhood. I didn't use a security system or camera to monitor my store. Instead, I relied on my employees and other businesses to keep an eye out for crime. But one night after closing time, someone broke into my store and stole money and many other items. Because I didn't have a security camera or alarm in place, the police couldn't take immediate action to apprehend the thief. I learned a valuable lesson that night. I took action and had a security system installed on the premises. It was the best decision I ever made. My blog offers tips on how to keep your company or home safe. Remember, safety should always be first.
When you work as a security guard, one of the biggest assets you can possess is being impartial. Because you're an authority figure, those around you — which includes those you're protecting and even those you may be investigating — rely on you to be as neutral as possible. For some people, this can be a challenge, especially when it comes to profiling people from certain ethnic or social groups. In order to avoid treating anyone unfairly, it's important to be cognizant of how you're approaching different people and ensure that you aren't profiling anyone. Here are some questions to ask yourself.
Did I See This Person Do Something Wrong?
An effective way to ensure that you're not profiling an individual if you find that you're suspicious of him or her is to ask yourself if you witnessed the person doing something wrong. For example, if you're working a security detail in a retail area and you find that you're keeping an eye on someone you suspect may be a shoplifter, quickly ask yourself this question. If you haven't actually seen the person putting an unpaid item into his or her pocket, you may be profiling — and you'll want to quickly change this behavior.
Have I Had Problems With This Person In The Past?
While everyone deserves fair treatment, it's reasonable to keep an eye on someone who has caused trouble in the past. For example, if you're patrolling a certain area that is restricted to staff and you notice someone you've removed for trespassing in the past, it's reasonable to approach the person to find out what he or she is doing. However, if you haven't had previous interactions with the person in the past, you shouldn't profile the person and assume that he or she is doing something wrong.
Did Someone Report This Individual To Me?
As a security guard, you'll constantly be receiving reports from your managers, colleagues, and even members of the public. This information can help you do your job not only effectively, but also impartially. If you find that you're suspicious of someone but no one has reported him or her to you, you might be profiling. However, if a member of the public has given the description of someone to you and you see the person, you have a right to keep an eye on him or her. Similarly, if your manager gave you the person's description during a briefing at the start of your shift, you might have an eye out for the person.
Share24 February 2017
