4.2-Surveillance and Patrol Techniques

General Patrol Tactics and Techniques

Security personnel will be assigned to monitor the physical surroundings for changes and suspicious activity. This is usually accomplished by performing in-person or remote surveillance of the physical surroundings. Security guards are expected to observe and monitor tiny changes so that they can make smart judgements when developing a plan of action.

Specific Duties of a Security Guard

A Security Guard’s responsibilities can be classified as either static or patrol-oriented.

Static responsibilities are those that the Security Guard performs from a single position, generally a set station or area. Gatehouses and building lobby entries are examples of fixed posts.

Patrols allow a guard to efficiently inspect the client’s property. When reviewing and analyzing a Security Guard’s tasks, one of the most significant considerations is the necessity to recognize and avoid circumstances that may negatively affect the client’s property.

This is accomplished using the following methods:

• Building and perimeter security
• Intrusion detection and control
• Alarm and surveillance systems
• Fire prevention and control
• Emergency and catastrophe preparedness
• Theft prevention
• Protection from accidents and hazards
• Rules, regulations, and policies are enforced

The talents required to complete the aforementioned activities vary; nonetheless, there are certain similar characteristics.

Among these elements are:

• Building and grounds protection, encompassing all goods, inhabitants, and visitors
• Enforcing security rules and regulations on and around the site
• Directing both pedestrian and vehicular traffic through and around the site
• Knowing all specific and general orders applicable to the place
• Supervising and enforcing any systems meant to monitor or identify individuals and vehicles entering or leaving the site or sectors within the site
• Conducting package and vehicle inspections as needed
• Controlling the movement of people, products, and vehicles onto, off of, and within the site
• Conducting and assessing site safety checks in all areas
• Maintaining the site’s orderly operation in relation to its ongoing safe operation
• All pertinent information regarding to the security of persons, products, and vehicles must be recorded and reported to the security supervisor or, if appropriate, the client’s representative

Standing Orders

Standing orders are permanent directives that apply to a given location. They direct the Security Guard in accordance with business rules.

Post Orders

The post order (or site order) is a document that transfers security responsibilities from the property owner to the Security Guard. The delegated authority specifies not only the duties to be performed by the Security Guard, but also the techniques to be employed in carrying out these functions. Post orders include procedures, directions, or instructions that will most likely be changed, eliminated, or reviewed as needed. Any dated instructions or directions must be followed. Outdated instructions should be reported to the security supervisor or management.

Other details that may be included in post-orders include:

(a) OPENING LETTER: should provide authority from property management as well as a few facts regarding the goal and scope of the orders’ objectives.

(b) INDEX: shall be positioned in such a way that modifications and amendments can be accommodated;

(c) EMERGENCY NUMBERS: The Security Guard shall have access to a list of all emergency numbers. Some of the numbers that must be kept up to date include fire, police, ambulance, maintenance, corporate authorities involved in the supply of security services, and your supervisor.

(d) SECURITY FORCE OPERATIONS: This part should include a schedule of the hours that each Security Guard is to work, the location of each station, and a brief explanation of the activities required of each Security Guard.

(e) REPORTS: At the end of each shift, identify what form of report is required, as well as acknowledge reports provided by Security Guards about building security.

(f) RESTRICTED Locations: Typically, post orders will include regulations or restrictions governing all restricted areas inside a facility. Some of these areas will only be accessible to staff. Documents and images should be maintained on hand and inspected before letting anyone into restricted locations.

Liability for Breach of Duty

There is a reason why security is essential. Clients do not pay for a Security Guard that fails to accomplish his or her obligations. Security companies and personnel may be held accountable for negligent behaviour such as:

• Failure to patrol as needed;
• Failure to follow particular instructions when on patrol (such as monitoring boiler water levers and check valves)
• Sleeping on duty
• Impaired performance on the workplace (drinking or drugs)
  falsifying documents, including diary entries
• Leaving the facility without authorization

High Visibility Patrol

High visibility patrols are designed to make the Guard more visible to others around them. We effectively prevent numerous unlawful actions by raising the possibility that the offender will be detected and detained for his or her crimes by boosting the physical security presence of the guard on site. Many clients prefer this cautious strategy, particularly those who place a high value on the company’s image and reputation.

Low Visibility Patrol

Low visibility patrols are utilized in regions where a single guard must cover a big area, where there are risks that endanger the guard’s safety, and where major criminal activity is taking place. During these patrols, the guard remains concealed and gathers as much information about the situation or occurrence as possible, which is then conveyed to the proper individuals to be dealt with. For example, if a guard receives a report of someone on site with a weapon, the guard should keep the suspect in sight while coordinating with the Police to ensure that the subject is apprehended in a safe and controlled way.

Fixed Post and Patrols

Guards may be expected to undertake a variety of activities, the most essential of which are duty at a fixed station and patrol.

Fixed Post

The fixed post is often placed at a site where both pedestrians and vehicles may be examined before entering or leaving a facility. Other responsibilities for a permanent post may include: guarding a vulnerable site, access control, monitoring of specific apparatus or particular installations, and identity control. It should be noted that the guard’s duties are generally outlined in the orders of the station to which they have been assigned. The guard must never depart from the commands; any action conducted must never be contrary to the directives.

Patrol Post

If a Security Guard is assigned to a patrol, he or she must patrol the defined area and return to the post when done. This is referred to as “dual duty”. To carry out this form of patrol, the guard must walk around regularly, covering the places to be examined on a regular basis. The guard must provide a full report of these rounds, highlighting any unusual incidents or activities observed throughout each round tour.

The patrol role is one of the most complicated and visible of all security functions.

One of the first things a Security Guard should be aware of is that a uniformed patrol force may help with crime prevention, apprehending those committing crimes, and, in general, maintaining the peace. It is the key reason for hiring security.

People, property, and information are all protected by security guards. By just being there, a uniformed guard can assist to dissuade crime. When you patrol, you expand the region that you guard.

Roaming Patrol

When covering a vast region, this movable kind of patrol allows a Security Guard to be more flexible. This job may be performed by guards on foot, bicycles, or in a vehicle. According to the hypothesis, while they are allocated responsibility for a certain region, they are not generally needed to be in that area at a specified time.

Vehicle Patrol

This form of patrol is typically used to cover regions that are too large to traverse on foot. The trucks are typically outfitted with radios or mobile phones and are frequently in constant communication with the dispatcher. The sort of patrol that is necessary is specified precisely. Parking lots, storage yards, perimeter fence lines, outer perimeters, and other locations that are impossible to check on foot may frequently be included in patrols. Guards on vehicle patrol may be compelled to transfer ill or injured people to First-Aid stations and/or hospitals in an emergency. When requested to accompany precious information, money, or essential shipments to remote regions, a Security Guard must be aware of the Security Company’s policies.Most security agencies do not escort money since they may not have the necessary insurance to support this operation. This is another topic that must be established between the customer and the Security Company and communicated to the Security Guard via Post Orders.

Purpose of Patrols

The fundamental goal of a patrol is to keep the premises under your jurisdiction secure. That is, a Security Guard is assigned a patrol role because it has been determined that it is the best approach to safeguard the property and persons at the place under the conditions. There are as many threats to people and property as there are reasons to be secure. A patrol, like the ancient “beat cop,” highlights the presence of security, functioning as a broad deterrent and deterring lawbreakers.

Patrols by a well-trained worker with an eye for detail improve the possibility that risks and emergencies, such as a boiler ready to overheat or sparking electrical lines that might cause a fire, will be spotted. Because of the significant expense of ensuring that these incidents are recognized by other means (electronic monitoring systems, alarms, and so on), using security may be a more cost-effective option.

Furthermore, the presence of a person who is capable of reacting quickly to a wide range of events strengthens the obligations of a Security Guard.

As a Security Guard, you may be expected to keep an eye out for things like fires, crimes, and property damage, as well as things that allow you to predict these sorts of events.

Preparation for Patrol

The preparation for a patrol should always begin with a declaration about the patrol’s purpose. Is the Security Guard, for example, intended to keep intruders at bay? Assist individuals of the general public who appear to be perplexed or in need of assistance? To ensure that boilers and other equipment are still operating safely? A patrol’s mission might alter from time to time, even during a single shift.

Security may focus on property breaches by an intruder the first time a patrol is conducted; the second time, to ensure that the safety equipment on machinery in the area is operating properly; the third time, to check for intruders and breaches of the work site, and so on.

Concentrating on the specific aim of the patrol each time it is launched will help the Security Guard concentrate on duties for which he or she is responsible and will ultimately be evaluated. This is not to argue that security should concentrate solely on one activity during patrol, to the detriment of all others. It would be absurd, for example, to overlook a blazing fire in the building being guarded just because the Security Guard has been requested to undertake a perimeter patrol to look for intruders. Remember that you were employed to safeguard people and property in the greatest way possible. A Security Guard is required to utilize common sense when carrying out his or her duties.

Site directives may help the Security Guard prepare for patrol. Site orders will frequently include clear and detailed instructions on what will be expected of all guards while on patrol.

Upon arrival, a Security Guard should take the time to become acquainted with the job location. Inquire with other guards and site employees about what, if anything, has changed since the last shift. A good Security Guard, like the classic Boy Scout, must be prepared for everything. You cannot be effectively prepared until you know all of the pertinent data.

A good understanding of the geography of the region to be patrolled is required. Determine the location of telephones, water shut-off valves, and electrical and alarm systems ahead of time. Find out where the light switches are and where emergency illumination is available. Understand the location of emergency equipment such as backup generators, first aid kits, fire alarms, hydrants, and extinguishers. The guard should be as comfortable with these items as he or she is with his or her own house. In an emergency, the Security Guard should know the best paths to go, choosing the shortest, most direct route with the fewest safety dangers.

Make a list of the activities that must be completed while on patrol. Plan your itinerary ahead of time, including a diagram of main checkpoints, hallways, rooms, stairwells, doors and windows, and so on. Plan alternate routes in the event that certain locations become unavailable due to an emergency such as a fire, explosion, or chemical spill. The schedule and route of the patrol should be changed to avoid becoming too regular or predictable.

Make sure you have the necessary equipment, such as weather-appropriate clothes, first-aid kits, and communication devices. Know what keys and other specialist equipment are required to carry out the patrol. Before you begin the patrol, ensure that your communication equipment is operational. Determine if it will work in all of the regions where your responsibilities may take you. Various environmental factors will limit or abolish the operation of cellular phones and radios. Be aware of these “dead zones” and the locations where connectivity can be restored. Some customers will not allow cell phones or radios to be used in particular situations. Because of the risk of interfering with delicate electrical equipment, hospitals typically ban the use of these devices. It is advised that you locate these prohibited places ahead of time and comply with the employer’s request.

Check to see if a list of emergency phone numbers has been supplied. Plan all evacuation routes and procedures while keeping in mind unique risks and danger zones in the region, such as combustible material storage places, explosives, and so on. In the event of a fire, for example, you would probably not want to go by an open vat of gasoline if at all possible.

Foot Patrol

“An observant guard on foot patrol has a greater probability of preventing crime and making arrests at crime scenes than motorized patrol guards.”

Some persons who read the above remark may believe that the attitude stated is overly strong and that other techniques of patrolling are as effective. This is true in certain circumstances. However, the majority of crimes that can be directly influenced by enforcement efforts (mischief, robbery, break and enter, shoplifting, and auto theft) occur in public. A proactive foot patrol can directly effect these crimes by preventing them or apprehending the culprit immediately.

In the security business, foot patrol is the most popular type of patrol. It is typically used when other means of protection, such as motorized patrol or electronic monitoring, cannot give the same level of protection. During foot patrol, the Security Guard’s senses (sight, hearing, smell, and touch) might theoretically be utilized.

Foot patrol may also be required in regions notorious for high densities of automobile or pedestrian traffic (such as near bars and prostitution areas) and for frequent “sidewalk” crimes such as storefront damage, purse snatching, intoxication, vagrancy, and loitering. Large suburban retail malls, pedestrian-only shopping streets, and pedestrian-only shopping streets where automobiles are not permitted may also demand frequent foot patrol.

Foot patrol has advantages and downsides, just like any other patrol approach that an employer or customer desires security to utilize. They are as follows, in brief:

Disadvantages of Foot Patrol:

• Mobility and coverage area are restricted; patrol duration is limited
• Some activities are prohibited or limited due to inclement weather
• The ability to pursue is limited
• Carrying equipment such as reports, paperwork, and first-aid kits is difficult
• Communication may be difficult unless portable radio or phone equipment is employed
• Foot patrols are tough to supervise

Advantages of Foot Patrol:

• Is quite visible
• Makes more one-on-one contact and hence has a larger possibility to improve security through community interactions
• There are more possibilities to generate sources of information since the patrol guard knows more individuals on the beat
• Greater acquaintance with the physical features of the beat, such as hiding areas for criminals and danger zones
• Knowledge of an area’s trends and features may aid in anticipating an event before it becomes more difficult to handle
• All senses may be employed
• Accessibility to smaller areas such as stairwells

Vehicular Patrol

Patrolling from a vehicle, such as a bicycle, automobile, motorbike, truck, or snow machine, allows a Security Guard to carry out his or her responsibilities by doing a relatively quick visual examination of the area to be protected. Larger locations, or even numerous sites, can be covered by a single vehicle-mounted guard. Each mode of motor transportation has advantages and downsides. A Security Guard in a motor vehicle, for example, may be able to transport more equipment than a guard on a bicycle. A bicycle, on the other hand, is more quieter and may provide access to regions where a motor vehicle cannot, such as through a park.

Disadvantages of Vehicular Patrol:

• The vehicle may be limited to certain regions, such as highways or pathways
• Inside a car, vision may be limited to some extent
• Some activities may be hampered or halted due to inclement weather
• In some cases, one’s ability to pursue may be constrained
• A motor vehicle’s engine noise may hide some noises or alert others to the presence of security
• Some vehicles’ sealed cabins may impede the identification of some harmful circumstances (for example, leaking chemicals that a guard on foot would detect may go unnoticed by someone inside a vehicle)
• People interaction is at a lower level

Advantages of Vehicular Patrol:

• The motor patrol is quite obvious
• Greater distances can be accomplished in less time
• The response time to other portions of the site has risen
• Additional gear may be carried
• Weather protection (rain, snow, and high temperatures)

When the Security Guard uses a vehicle for patrol, they take on additional responsibilities. A basic pre-check is recommended. The vehicle must work correctly and not cause an impediment while they perform their patrol. You may be needed to complete a form like the one below:

VEHICLE INSPECTION LOG

Guard’s name _______________________________ Date ________________________

Mileage end ____________________ Shift ___________________________

Mileage start ___________________

Mileage total ___________________

Checks

Lights:

Headlights?    Brake lights? Tail lights?     Turn signals?

Fluids

Transmission?            Brake?            Rad water?     Power steering?         Belts and hoses?

Damage

During your initial vehicle inspection, did you find any new or unreported damage?

Yes? No?

If yes, describe the damage __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

While you were on duty was there any damage to the vehicle?

Yes? No?

If yes, please attach damage report.

Fluids

Did you add gas or any other fluids?

Yes? No?

If yes, please indicate amount and cost.

Fluid type	# of liters	Cost

Security Guard Signature__________________________________________

Surveillance (Non-Mobile Patrol)

Surveillance (with the help of technology) allows a guard to stay immobile while keeping a continual eye on a specified area. It is also known as visual or fixed patrols. For example, one entrance/exit point might be constantly monitored, or a whole complex could be kept under surveillance using mirrors, security cameras, and fences.

Disadvantages:

• Cameras and barriers can be avoided or evaded
• All regions cannot be constantly monitored; blind spots will persist despite meticulous design
• Reliance on equipment may fail, especially in inclement weather
• Personnel must focus on a single task over extended periods of time
• Reliance on a single sense – vision
• Response may be limited to contacting the police or internal employees, especially if the guard is not on-site but is watching from a separate area
• There is no or little engagement with the community

Advantages:

• The site’s access and egress (enter and leave) are easily regulated
• Individuals finding it difficult to access the premises and physically attack the guard
• A guard station or extremely conspicuous camera installation deters would-be criminals
• Reduced the amount of guards needed to keep the area secure

What to Watch for While on Patrol

The following are some broad recommendations for what a Security Guard should perform when on patrol. The list should not be interpreted as a definitive list; the Security Guard should be prepared to tailor his or her duties to the specific area and job role to which he or she has been assigned.

1. Use of Notebooks

All odd events must be documented in the Security Guard’s notebook. This is why it is a good idea for a Security Guard to patrol with a notepad and pen. Remember to take notes at the moment of observation, or as soon as possible thereafter. Add the date and time of the observation, as well as when you recorded it.

For example, if a suspicious car is detected in the neighbourhood, the Security Guard will take notes on the vehicle’s description, licence plate number, and a description of any passengers of the vehicle.

2. Daylight Patrols

To have the greatest deterrent impact, a Security Guard should be prominent when on patrol throughout the day. The goal is to get noticed and make your presence known. Members of the public may see a uniformed Security Guard as someone in authority with unique expertise of a certain region. A Security Guard roaming a shopping centre or stationed in a kiosk in a building’s lobby may encounter anything from parents looking for lost children to tourists asking assistance in locating a specific area of the facility. Expect this kind of attention and be ready for it to arrive at the worst possible time.

As stated in previous chapters, a Security Guard is sometimes seen as the face of the whole security sector. A Security Guard who screams, utilizes emergency equipment such as radios, intercom systems, and flashing dome lights without reason is a bad ambassador and does not contribute to the public’s image of security. In a nutshell, don’t be unprofessional.

Many criminal crimes, such as assault, shoplifting (theft), robbery, and break and enter, are widespread throughout the day. Make an effort to become acquainted with the folks you will be meeting and interacting with on a regular basis. They will be able to supply you with a plethora of information, or even warn you to a unique problem without broadcasting it to the entire store, with a signal.

3. Look for the unusual

Look for anything that seem out of place or don’t make sense while you patrol. For example, if the store clerk who usually waves to you as you go by doesn’t glance up from the cash register, it may be because he or she is preoccupied with the transaction they are making – or it could be because a robbery is taking place. The individual travelling from car to car in the parking lot may be hunting for an unlocked vehicle from which to steal, or he or she could be lost and looking for their own vehicle. The individual racing through the retail centre may be escaping with stolen items or rushing to catch a bus. The individual parked in a car outside a building might be waiting for a passenger or “standing six” for accomplices breaking inside the premises.

The goal of all of these examples is to show that the possibilities for attracting your attention are virtually limitless. Look for the uncommon and extraordinary, no matter how tiny or trivial. Pry marks on doors, hinges, or windows, shattered glass in or near windows, sparking wires, flashing alarm panels, fire or smoke, flowing water, or damaged pipes, and strange vehicles are all signs that the matter needs to be investigated further.

Fire and safety concerns discovered during patrol should be given special attention. Is there a sufficient supply of fire extinguishers to respond adequately in an emergency? Are they properly positioned and completely charged? Are there any emergency exits that are malfunctioning, obstructed, or damaged? Is there any dangerous or flammable material stored on or near the premises? Is there something on the floor that makes it slippery? Is the lighting in the stairs adequate? Is there any construction, excavation, or other special hazard that might endanger persons or property? Are there any emissions that might indicate the presence of an issue or pose a risk? A Security Guard is better prepared to alert people of something that has happened or, in the event of an emergency, to safeguard them from something that could happen by directing attention to these sorts of facts.

4. Patrols at Night

Patrols during the night-time should really be titled “patrolling during conditions of limited illumination”. This type of patrol refers to instances in which security is able to take advantage of darkness and utilize it to monitor what is going on around him or her in order to better safeguard the people and property that he or she has been paid to protect.

A Security Guard who desires to employ this sort of patrol approach should assess the area to be secured during the day. Obtaining the necessary equipment for a nighttime patrol is also critical. In addition to weather suitable attire, the patrolling member should carry a functioning flashlight.

In these situations, a Security Guard on patrol who intends to stay unseen while studying the surroundings should stroll adjacent to buildings and spend time in shadows or shadowy regions. An someone who is walking, standing, sitting, or parking and listening silently may be able to hear things that are happening that impact the people or property he or she has been engaged to protect.

Look for anything unusual or out of the ordinary, such as unlocked doors that should be locked, strange vehicles, a light out in a building that is usually left on, loitering strangers, items stacked near doorways and other places they do not belong, strange odours ranging from chemicals to smoke, and so on.

5. Checking Doors and Buildings

One of your key responsibilities may be to inspect the security of structures. The outside of a structure should be examined first. The Security Guard should be on the lookout for indicators of forced entry as well as signs of fire, such as flames, smoke, and extreme heat.

If practicable and appropriate, the roof should be inspected for evidence of forced access as well as equipment loss, damage, or failure.

The Security Guard should not merely hold the handle and shake forcefully when verifying a door. This will notify those inside that someone has found their means of entry and, most likely, their means of escape. Instead, the door should be examined to determine if it was forced open. If necessary, use a flashlight to inspect the hinges, latch, bolt, and lock for new damage or pry marks. When testing if the door will open, it should not be yanked open, but rather opened gradually and for a limited distance.

If the door opens while it should be locked, the Security Guard will be aware that someone has entered the premises and may still be present. If the investigating Security Guard considers that someone’s life is in danger, he or she should not enter the building alone. Instead, they should always ask for help or notify backup that the door was discovered open, even if they suspect it was left unlocked by someone with valid access who was negligent in securing the entrance. While waiting for assistance, keep a constant eye on the door, window, or other points of access.

6. Smash and Grabs

This colourful phrase refers to a circumstance in which someone destroys a store or business display window, reaches inside, and steals products on display. When a Security Guard discovers a damaged display window, he or she should examine it from the outside (without touching anything if possible) to check whether there is any missing product or proof that the premises has been invaded. An empty display case or the outline of anything that has been removed in the dust might be evidence of missing products. Evidence of a culprit entering the premises might include a wider hole in the window or door that allows entrance, goods knocked from the display case into the shop, footprints within the display case or inside the store, or other damage to the premises’ contents.

In any case, police should be notified right away. It is your responsibility to report, and it is their responsibility to enforce the law.

Night Patrols

When patrolling at night, you must exercise extreme caution. Here are some specific points to keep in mind:

1. Use your flashlight wisely – Turn off your flashlight when not in use. If you have to wear it while walking, keep it at arm’s length away from your body. As a result, if you are attacked in the vicinity of the light, they will not strike your body. Make a practise of not keeping your flashlight in your writing hand so that you may use your dominant hand to run your radio or do other things.

2. Passing straight in front of windows and glass doors should be avoided. Your body will be seen as a silhouette at night. Don’t make yourself a target. If you must pass, move swiftly. Don’t go up to a dark window or door and peer inside. Before approaching, shine your flashlight and stand to one side to observe.

3. Entering a dark place with caution – You should not just stroll into a dark area, especially if you are researching anything strange. Before you enter, open the door all the way (someone may be hiding behind it) and shine your flashlight around the entire room. Identify yourself as security and keep an ear out for noises. Do not enter if you have a terrible sensation or anything does not appear right. Call for backup, then step back and watch till it arrives.

4. Know when to be seen and when to be heard – When patrolling at night, it is critical that you exercise excellent judgement and common sense. Many spots will need you to patrol discreetly and walk in the shadows near structures. When patrolling in a car, keep engine, braking, and tyre noises to a minimum and avoid slamming doors.

In general, you don’t want to make yourself a target by being too loud and declaring your existence. If you notice anything suspect, you can remain hidden, make your observations, and report the behaviour.

If you are patrolling alone in an unsettling location, you may wish to generate some noise, such as humming or jingling keys. This will notify staff that you are present. You also don’t want to catch one or more offenders off guard, especially if you’re obstructing their escape path. Making a sound will alert crooks to your presence and dissuade them from committing more crimes. It will offer them the option of departing without causing you any harm. You can then document whatever information you have about the events and suspects to assist the authorities.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BELIEVE A CRIME WAS COMMITTED?

Seek assistance. Call the police. It is your responsibility to report, and it is their responsibility to enforce the law. Notify your dispatcher and utilise backup guards whenever feasible. If no additional guards are available as backup, you should always wait for the police. In rare cases, you may need to assist someone before the cops come. Giving someone first aid is an example of this.