No matter what realm of security one is operating in, he/she is usually the first engagement that someone has. Also he/she is always visible to provide assistance or respond to an incident. Because of this fact every Security Professional should have a variety of items with them to make their life and the lives of others more efficient. With that being said you need to have different options for different scenarios. If you are working at a Champagne lounge or a Tavern you should NOT be using a Maglite. Your flash light should be sleek and indiscreet with multiple settings for different occasions. For example you should have a high setting above 100 lumens for the purpose of EMERGENCY signaling only. Your flashlight should also come with a low setting about 15 lumens for the purpose of helping a woman find her lipstick. That pen you dropped. Under no circumstance should you have a signaling light out to help someone find a contact lens. You will experience what is called Flooding. Flooding occurs when your light is over powered and is being used in close quarters, the light being flashed on a particular object is reflected back in the users face. It will probably blind you and the guest for several moments. In the reverse, if you are working a construction site or an office building late at night then by all means please get a flash light that is 200 lumens plus and a decent size. If you are surprised or attacked by someone waiting in the darkness, the flashlight can be used to disorient the attacker or be used as a blunt force instrument against multiple attackers. This is the most common tool used by a Security Professional, however there are other things.
Documentation: Every Security Professional should constantly be in the possession of a notepad and pen. Any attorney that deals with the field of Security will tell you that just the simple notes taken during an altercation or incident will help him protect the Security Professionals against false claims. In addition this tool provides Emergency response with valuable information when they arrive on the scene. These notes can help you recall a sketchy character, the license plate number of a hit and runner, or even the amount of times that you have patrolled an area. If something does happen you can refer back to your notes to stop yourself from searching through endless video footage.
Radio: Communication is the cornerstone of Security. A Radio must always be in its proper place and checked for function before you start a shift. The worst situation a Security Professional can find himself in, is to be in a physical altercation with a Radio that is not secured to him or it doesn’t work. Most of the time dialing 911 is not possible. The average human can cover 21 feet in 2.5 seconds. How long does it take to dial 911? Let’s look at the steps. You’ve identified there is a problem or God forbid you are being attacked. Now find the pocket your phone is in under stress. Now take the lock off your phone. Now dial 911. Yeaaaaaa………. Probably not the best option. An alternative is just to hold down the speak button on your radio, say call 911 or report you location.
*Tip: If you use an earpiece when you work security, always position your radio inside your waist band with the belt clip facing outward. This is a more secure location. It protects the cord of the earpiece from being tampered with also stopping you from dropping it during physical activity. When working at higher risk locations, you must always be aware because people will pull the cord out of your radio so you cannot call for back up.
Miscellaneous: Here are a couple items that are overlooked but can improve the guest relations aspect.
- Lighter: Many people smoke and they will love you forever if you have a lighter when they have forgotten theirs. It will make it easier to speak with them later if need be.
- Latex Gloves: You never know what manner of injury you may come across or substance. Be prepared.
- Detailed Knowledge of the Area: If you work in the hospitality industry this is paramount. People are more likely to return to the location of the nice Security Professional that gave them directions.
- Small Utility Knife: You will find that women will ask you for a knife or scissors quite often to remove tags, cut things tangled in their hair, and fix broken sandals.
- 5 Hour Energy: Stay alert.