Sometimes security guards have the bad reputation of just being a “rent a cop” and sometimes it is well deserved. Often having a security guard is little more than a way of reducing insurance premiums. However, to be effective, there are several skills that a security guard must have.
Be Able to Serve Client’s Needs:
Being able to serve the client’s needs can include a lot of things. For example, the security guard services in Austin Texas would include knowledge about the Austin Texas area well enough to know what situations to be suspicious of. Being trained in the specific orders and procedures of a post will help a guard to serve the needs of even the pickiest of clients.
They must also be able to perform their tasks in a professional manner. This is because at least looking professional will help any security officer to serve as a deterrent to negative activity on the premises.
Alertness:
Alertness involves more than just staying awake, which can be a challenge for anyone working the third shift. It also means being constantly aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
Sometimes it can be difficult particularly when there is a lot of background noise, but a guard needs to be able to reduce distractions as much as possible. A good guard needs to be able to balance the need to not be distracted with the need to prevent being bored to the point of falling asleep.
Endurance:
Endurance is an important skill for a security guard because shifts can be long, boring, and late at night. The amount of endurance depends upon the shift and the post. Sometimes you just need to be able to stay awake, while other times you may need to walk a long round while carrying equipment such as a detex clock.
Several types of endurance may be necessary to successfully complete a security guard shift, but it is a key skill of the job. In many cases being able to walk distances and stay awake all night are the types of endurance, a good security guard will need.
Honesty:
Honesty is an important skill for a security guard because the client depends upon the honesty of their guards for securing their facilities. A security guard can be dishonest in two main ways. One way is stealing from the client and the other is falsifying reports.
It is, however, important for the client and security company to provide an environment where a guard is not afraid to report an incident. To get complete candor and honesty out of security guards they need to feel confident that they can honestly report what has happened.
Good Communication Skills:
A security guard must also have good communication skills. This is not limit to writing out reports. But communicating problems on the spot that needs to deal with. For example, if there is a fire on the site while other people are working, being able to communicate effectively to those in charge so as to prevent panic is a helpful skill.
Being able to communicate effectively with both the client and the security company about any incident that needs immediate reporting is also an important part of the job.
Be Both A Leader And Team Player:
It is important for a security guard to be both a leader and a team player at the same time. When handling a problem at a specific location in a facility by himself it is important for a security guard to be able to be a leader to take charge where needed.
At the same time, he may need to be a team player, not only by working with other guards on the site but by working with both the client and the security company in properly handling the incident.
There is more to being a security guard than sitting behind a desk with your feet propped up and listening to the radio. To do the job properly a security guard needs a number of skills. These skills distinguish the difference between a guard that is providing a real service for the client and one that is just providing a warm body to be present at the site.
