The physical surroundings will be monitored by security personnel for changes and unusual activity. Typically, an on-site or remote surveillance of the physical environment is used to accomplish this goal. Security officers must be observant and keep an eye out for subtle changes in order to develop a strategy that will work. The trainer emphasizes:
- decision-making
- recognizing patterns (situational awareness)
- observing minor, yet critical details
- recognizing typicality and detecting anomalies
- improvising responses
- interpreting and adapting to events
- prioritizing
It is important to talk about loss prevention, different sorts of patrolling, observing and monitoring people, seeing and addressing possible dangers, and so on.
Suggested methodology
- pre-reading on surveillance and observational issues
- lecture about observational techniques (e.g. assessing unusual events, identifying hazards to self and others, completing initial checks to establish a benchmark for subsequent observations, using all five senses for observation, writing notes of observations)
- explanation of how to make decisions to maintain safety and security (e.g. assessing risk of current and potential situation to self and others, assessing what skills are required to deal effectively with particular situations, assessing the behaviours of others and the physical environment)
- role playing with analysis and group discussion
- learning journal
