When you hire a security guard, you need to know that they’re the right person for the job. (Or if you’re considering a career as an Orlando security guard, you need to ask yourself whether you’ve got what it takes.) It’s not about muscle, physical strength, or aggression so much as providing a reassuring presence and knowing how to react appropriately, whatever the circumstances. Here are seven key qualities we look for when we hire staff.
1. Trustworthiness
First and foremost, a security guard must be trustworthy and honest. They may have unsupervised access to sensitive areas of your business, confidential information, or your customers’ private belongings. They provide a vital line of defense against intruders, troublemakers, or thieves, and you need to be sure that defense isn’t compromised in any way. If you can’t trust your security, you have no security.
2. Reliability
You usually won’t be around when the security guard is doing his or her job, so you need to be confident that they are doing their job scrupulously and to the standards you expect. A guard who arrives late, misses shifts, or cuts corners is a weak link in your security. You need to know that they are reporting every single incident, logging visitors, conducting patrols on schedule, and carrying out any other duties diligently.
3. Alertness
A good security guard needs a superb sense of situational awareness in order to spot and prevent problems. They should be able to identify potential issues, know where and when to check, and above all, actively monitor the location so they can react quickly. It is not enough to wait for alarms and respond after an incident has become serious: they should be aware of the first signs of trouble and be able to intervene quickly before it gets out of hand.
4. Calmness
When a situation does arise that requires intervention, a security guard needs to keep their head and deal with it in a calm, confident manner. Where possible, it is preferable to avoid confrontation and minimize the use of force. Although a situation may become heated, especially if alcohol is involved, the primary aim of the security guard is to restore order and ensure the safety of the public. Approaching a potential conflict with understanding rather than aggression can often resolve a situation peacefully.
5. Bravery
At some point, a security guard may have to face a potentially dangerous situation. You need to know that they are prepared to step up and take control in order to protect others. Bravery is more than just a physical trait. It’s not always easy to approach a group of drunken partygoers and tell them they need to leave the area or keep the noise down. However, a good security guard should never be reckless: the best response may well be to call for backup or summon law enforcement rather than putting themselves or others at risk.
6. Discretion
A security guard needs to maintain a balance between providing a visible presence and appearing to be intimidating. In resorts or residential communities, people are there to have fun or to get on with their personal lives. They don’t want security to be intrusive, and they certainly don’t want to feel like they’re under surveillance. An officer may see all sorts of things that residents or guests would prefer to remain private, and knows when to say or do nothing, as long as security isn’t compromised.
7. Approachability
Lastly, a security guard needs to be approachable and friendly. They are often the first person a guest or resident turns to when something happens. They should present themselves as helpful people, and be ready to assist with anything from a missing purse to an injured child or lost dog.
Always ensure that your security guards are more than just hired muscle. Make sure they are trustworthy, reliable, alert, calm, brave, discreet, and approachable.