The purposes of maintaining security are many. A listing of a few responsibilities would include: visual deterrence for crime, monitoring of closed circuit TV system, maintaining a secure facility, crowd control, deterring damage to the facility, monitoring entry and exiting, reporting of damage or maintenance needs, initiating incident reports, calling the proper authorities in emergency situations.

 

There will always be an ongoing debate over whether this service should be provided in house or by an outside firm. The best answer probably lies in a combination of the two. Often a security chief belongs on the typical facility staff. A contract service would be employed to handle 24 hour service. These are responsible for visual deterrence for crime, monitoring of closed circuit TV, maintaining a secure facility, deterring damage to the facility specifically during move-ins, and outs, initiating incidents reports and calling the proper authorities during an emergency.

 

The standard guard force is supplemented with contract guard or guards. Contracted companies will supplement additional officers for event security personnel on an as needed basis. In some cases these event security are a building expense, the responsibility of the event planner, or shared.

 

Developing a strategy to ensure quality in this function is much easier than maintaining quality. There are many problems inherent in providing quality security services and security officers. To begin with standard building monitoring security personnel find the job boring during times in which the building is not occupied and when there is no one to carry on a conversation. It is a low paying position and generally requires very little training. It is difficult to attract high caliber personnel with good attitudes.

Some of the ways to ensure quality for standard building security is to develop a series of punch clocks around the facility for them to register as they rotate through the building. Changing the pattern they follow on each round is also recommended. Requiring them to record unlocked doors and maintenance needs is also advisable. Additionally a rotating supervisor that appears at unannounced times can be useful. Drop in unannounced with various staff members and monitor the location and response of the security officer. Calling in to the facility at unannounced times is also a good practice to monitor attitude and responsiveness. Including security personnel on the weekly operation’s meeting and with clients can also be helpful.

 

Regarding special event security a special preliminary meeting prior to events with colored passes and instructions in written form is advisable. Additionally you should always order two supervisors so that no one has to leave his post without a replacement. Also by adding a couple of extra officers above the call number will cover no shows.

 

One last suggestion is to hire security firms with only one year’s contract with a couple of single year’s renewal will assure the company stays alert and attentive.