Worst security jobsite/post you ever worked...

[3rd_shift]

For me it was at a convenience store in hard, blue smurf uniform unarmed in the gay part of Dallas.
Some of the guys coming in from accross the street from the bars were fascinated with my uniform and my "gun" :eek:
"Oh officer, You're so keeyoot!"
That was the one where I told my dispatcher next day,
either the post goes, or I and the post goes. :mad:

[N. A. Corbier]

For me it was at a convenience store in hard, blue smurf uniform unarmed in the gay part of Dallas.
Some of the guys coming in from accross the street from the bars were fascinated with my uniform and my "gun" :eek:
"Oh officer, You're so keeyoot!"
That was the one where I told my dispatcher next day,
either the post goes, or I and the post goes. :mad:

Worst one I ever worked was a popular budget hotel in Ybor City. The general manager was convinced that we were there to provide concerge services to his guests, such as taking up towels, unclogging toilets, etc, and the police who hung out 20 thick in the lobby running up a city tab from the concession area were there to protect the property.

After the guy got into a fight during Guavaween, then was struck by a man because he refused to summon medical assistance for his brother, it came to a head. The front desk got on the radio, got me down there, just in time for me to see the GM and the suspect start trading blows inside. The front desk called the police, and I went up and took Mr. Bad Guy down, put him in cuffs, and sat him down next to his brother, who was bleeding out from a stab wound. The GM grabbed me, shoved me a good foot, got pepper sprayed for his trouble, and then I called my supervisor. Supervisor told the GM that we're suspending the contract for his attacking a contractor, and told me that we're not longer providing protective services, only fire watch on the rooms. When PD showed up, they refused to arrest the BG, refused to arrest me, and refused to arrest the GM, stating they didn't see anything, and they know the cameras in the lobby "don't work." We dropped the contract the next week.

I hate clients who believe they have direct control over the officers, to include physical confrontations with them. This guy was from Germany, and flat told the front desk staff: Police protect you. Security takes towels. This is how it is in Germany, this is how it is at Hilton.

Another amusing anecdote was when I was ordered by the GM to tow 12 police vehicles in our parking lot. A corporate level inspector showed up, noticed me, and asked if there was a police problem. I asked her who she was, and she told me she was a corporate inspector for the hotel chain. I told her, "No, there is no problem." She then asked me why there were 12 police cars here, and what we were doing here. After she figured out I was the contract security officer, she asked me if the police were always here, and I told her the truth. She went over to the GM, who was busy primping himself, and told him that guests have approached her and told her they feel unsafe with this amount of police presence, that one armed security officer was enough. So, he orders me to TOW 12 police cars, they all parked and went on foot patrol into 7th Avenue. My solution was to call dispatch on my cell, and request the sector sergeant to come. He found people to drive the cars off, and parked across the street. The police stopped coming for awhile, miffed at that, which meant I was completely without backup for 2 weeks.

[Contact]

I haven't been doing security for too long, but one of our contracts was for a Michaels Arts & Crafts store because of an ex disgruntled employee. Even worse, the location was in the middle of one of the uppity citys around here.

I can't count how many looks I received of utter shock and amazement because an art store had an armed guard on hand. :D

Move it along people... :D

[exguard]

I think my All Time Worst was while I was still a High School Senior {At 18 New Jersey allowed you to work as security Guards} I worked for Wells Fargo - What Crap assignments I got. Construction equipment storage lot with no bathroom facilities, A Flat-Bed Trailer builder warehouse, and ocassionaly the town sewer plant ugggg never thought earning $6.80hr. could be so dishonorable

[Echos13]

In the state of Florida, well about 90% of the jobs were nightmares. :eek: But then when you live in the "cheap labor state" I guess it's the status quo. Everything from baby sitting parking lots to guarding a pile of fertilizer. Guard jobs are good to start out, have as a part time thing or when your between jobs.

I am fortunate to be doing what I am doing now, but that's going on five years and now we are facing cut backs in everything. In-house and in-house sub-contracted work is being pushed out by the contract firm. :(

Did you know that some guard firms out source thier call in and time record people? :mad:

Worse one of all was being a gate guard for a place full of rich people. Carried a gun, had a patrol car and all that but had to deliver newspapers, packages and even walk thier dogs! Egads, an armed newspaper boy that walks pink poodles. :o

[N. A. Corbier]

Never told you about that in D or G school, did they? That's "value added services" for you. People don't want to pay for traditional or "progressive" security services. "Don't the guards do more than just drive around or man a gate? We can pay OUR people to do that."

So why don't you? Probally because you don't want the additional manpower, insurance, and liability problems, so you outsource your security staff, and then try to get more out of them. :)

Stupidest post I ever worked as a mobile home park where we were manning a gate, unarmed (I was required to be armed with full duty rig, so it made people do a double take), with no gate! If someone ran our gate, we were to do nothing, because it might inconvience a resident. But, if someone stopped, we had to get their name, license plate, etc, and if they weren't supposed to be there (visiting) we were to tell them to leave, but NOT CALL THE POLICE.

It was rather funny. We were also restricted to the gate house at all times, as "the police patrol the interior, that's their job." When asked, the city police were like, "Um, that's what your there for. That's private property, we don't patrol private property." It made things amusing when we were told to STOP THE POLICE to find out what unit they were responding to. No gate, no stop sign, your going to stop a police vehicle?

[Watchdog]

Any post where I'm scheduled to work 12 hours or more where I can't leave the post and where I don't have anyone to relieve me so I can take 30-60 minutes off a take a break and get away for a bit.
Security companies seem to think that one can just bring a lunch in a bag and be all comfy for the whole day sitting or standing in one place.
That's why I prefer doing some type of mobile patrol when I can.

[wannabedafiveoh]

Definately when they have the "mini-circus" for the kids at the mall. Holy crap! The animals smell SO bad, and there is something about clowns that always will scare me! :eek:

[dla4079]

For me it was at a convenience store in hard, blue smurf uniform unarmed in the gay part of Dallas.
Some of the guys coming in from accross the street from the bars were fascinated with my uniform and my "gun" :eek:
"Oh officer, You're so keeyoot!"
That was the one where I told my dispatcher next day,
either the post goes, or I and the post goes. :mad:
Get into Corrections, lot more fun, more pay, and is better than being a Security Guard. There is nothing wrong with Security but it is better than having to put up with the Public.

[mallpopo]

I agree with wannabe....The circuss' at the mall are a bad idea. I dress up like a clown and go undercover. It helps me catch the teens who think its cool to hang out at the mall. I always find them smoking. I take the cigs and make them my own. They yell at me cause they think I'm a clown but I alway have my badge on a chain around my neck :D

[N. A. Corbier]

Ok, now I'm going to be evil, and point out some liability, criminally and civilally.

Is there something in your state law that provides for a private citizen to seize cigarettes from an underage smoker? If not, you are a thief, and those kids can actually call 911 and say, "Some clown stole my cigarettes." Depending on if the cops hate you or not, they can arrest based on probable cause.

When we'd seize items, they were illegal - narcotics or weapons. Weapons were placed in our custody, but drugs and other things were returned to the person, who was then detained for police. Police would arrive and find the drugs BACK on the suspect, which means there was no issue of "he planted em." His prints are already on it, if it wanted to come to that, and it was in his possession.

The guns, well, the police knew what we carried, and would take our word on it. :)

It is one thing to remove the kids from the area under state/city trespass law, but to seize their property - it better be going to a law enforcement officer, or else you are guilty of petit theft.

[1stWatch]

The worst assignment I remember working to date was a shopping center in the southwest part of Dallas at midnight on New Years Eve. The entire neighborhood had some sort of confusion about the difference between firecrackers and firearms. People were unloading weapons in the air for around 40 minutes after midnight. There was no "cover" to take nor any place to drive to without equal or greater risk of being hit, so I just sat there in the vehicle hoping nothing would rain on my head. Fortunately it did not.

[N. A. Corbier]

There was no confusion. July 4th around here is known as "test your gun day" because most people can't tell the different between firecrackers and gunshots.

LAPD, many officers put on their ballistic helmets during 4th of July and New Years Eve, hoping that the helmet, combined with the lightbar and hood, would sufficiently stop any falling rounds. :)

[3rd_shift]

My patrol captain was a Florida cop before a few unfortunate events left him as just a private citizen security patrol officer in Texas.
He did mention that his orders back then as a l.e.o. in Florida were to get into a parking garage, or someplace safe from falling lead on New Years' Eve 15 minutes before the new year and until 15 minutes after.

[N. A. Corbier]

My patrol captain was a Florida cop before a few unfortunate events left him as just a private citizen security patrol officer in Texas.
He did mention that his orders back then as a l.e.o. in Florida were to get into a parking garage, or someplace safe from falling lead on New Years' Eve 15 minutes before the new year and until 15 minutes after.

We generally stepped under the hallway, made of heavy brick and steel, during New Years Eve. We could still do our jobs, and we didn't have to worry about incoming rounds.

[davido]

I worked an oil field HQ, easy work but slow on pay, that lasted about 2 months.. and I was looking again.

[Mr. Security]

Never told you about that in D or G school, did they? That's "value added services" for you.

It was the "value added services" that drove me crazy at one site. I didn't mind checking fire extinguishers and eyewash stations because safety and security are interrelated. Good experience to. Then one day they asked us to start checking over a hundred filthy rodent traps every week to see if anything was dead in the trap. Now they have the guards emptying dehumidifiers and checking drains to make sure their not clogged. Everything BUT security, even though this huge complex only has 1 security officer. :(

[Bill Warnock]

Mr. Security's experience can be a godsend to security officers. It may sound menial, but you can see so much more than you would ever see being on standard patrol. You can ask clean up crews what they know and have seen while you are checking rodent traps. You are now ubiquitous, no longer a threat. People see you everywhere and think nothing of it. From my experience, there is a treasure trove awaiting the security officer or security inspector or security consultant if the or she plays their cards right. Played correctly, that extra duty will pay handsomely.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[Mr. Security]

Mr. Security's experience can be a godsend to security officers. It may sound menial, but you can see so much more than you would ever see being on standard patrol. You can ask clean up crews what they know and have seen while you are checking rodent traps. You are now ubiquitous, no longer a threat. People see you everywhere and think nothing of it. From my experience, there is a treasure trove awaiting the security officer or security inspector or security consultant if the or she plays their cards right. Played correctly, that extra duty will pay handsomely.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

They are currently looking for a s/o at this site. Let me know if you're interested. :)

[Bill Warnock]

When I first started I had an advantage, Air Force Training which set me up. They told us to pick up a piece of paper or other trash in squadron areas other than our own. The things we learned. Soon, no security police person could clean up another area. We found so much stuff.
Those who want to leave so soon are those who are still new in the business or those who just don't care.
Hang tough!
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[Mr. Security]

They told us to pick up a piece of paper or other trash in squadron areas other than our own. The things we learned.

Which is fine along as there is someone else to monitor the site for security while other tasks are being accomplished. As I explained, if the only guard is performing non-security functions, no one is 'watching the store.'

[Bill Warnock]

Mr Security, point well taken. It would be foolish for the leadership to send the only officer available to do not security work and leave the security post unmanned. Not all leadership is familiar with security principles and procedures.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

Mr Security, point well taken. It would be foolish for the leadership to send the only officer available to do not security work and leave the security post unmanned. Not all leadership is familiar with security principles and procedures.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

This is something we constantly had to explain to clients. Adding services is all well and good, but there better be:

1. Written Amendment to the Contract for Services Added.
2. Clear language indicating that the security company is NOT liable for security breaches or disorder while the guard is performing ancillary duties.
3. Client acknoledgement that these other duties are not related to the primary contractual obligation, and will hamper the contractor from performing these duties, and waiver of liability for failure to perform primary duties.

We had a hotel where the security officer was required to take towels and plunge toilets. We refused, to the man, not because taking towels was a bad thing, but because while the officer is taking towels, he is no longer performing his job function, and leaving the site unprotected. This places the security company and the officer civilly and criminally liable for negligence, as they're not performing their contractual obligation and legal duty. Just because the client calls and says "Do this," dosen't mean that you should be doing it. They need to submit it in writing, and then new post orders issued, or else its a case of "We never told the guard to take towels, that was the front desk acting on their own."

[Mr. Security]

They need to submit it in writing, and then new post orders issued, or else its a case of "We never told the guard to take towels, that was the front desk acting on their own."

Excellent post. Incidentally, my former company's 'value added services,' described above, were not in the post orders. Unlikely that they ever will be until they experience the problem you noted. Wish you had been the account manager when I worked there! :)

[N. A. Corbier]

Excellent post. Incidentally, my former company's 'value added services,' described above, were not in the post orders. Unlikely that they ever will be until they experience the problem you noted. Wish you had been the account manager when I worked there! :)

This is a constant issue, I've come to realize, and the sales account managers will do anything to placiate the client, because they're not versed in selling negatives.

Instead of selling floor moppers, they could be selling other services, such as community interaction, neighborhood watch coordination, safety monitoring and reporting, etc. But, clients believe "security and maintenance are one in the same," and since both maintenance workers and security guards are paid low wages, they are obviously interchangable.

Indeed, residential management companies have used maintenance personnel, during the day, to do such things as cite improperly parked vehicles, issue citations (worthless paper), arrange tows, handle noise complaints, order children not to play in the street, and generally act as a security officer - most likely without these duties being in the job code for that employee.

The issue, of course, is that deep down, the client does not see a security officer as a trained individual, and that anyone can do his job, therefore, the security officer should be able to switch gears and do other menial service tasks. Those that resist obviously do not "know their place," and the client requests they be removed. The sales manager, afraid of losing the revenue, will cave in.

If the company does not rely on any one client for more than 25% of their profit generation, then the company is in a position to resist value added services, and pushy clients. A company that can cut loose a troublesome client is a company that can focus on providing superior services - eventually clients who expect that level of service will hear about them.

"Did you hear that Acme Condos was let go by Protective Services Group? They tried to get their guards to mop floors."
"I heard their people look professional, I saw them out at the shopping mall."
"Weren't they in the paper about getting that city contract, they protect half of downtown now."
"I think we need to dump our guard company and call them, I can't even read this guy's handwriting."

[S/O245]

Any post where I'm scheduled to work 12 hours or more where I can't leave the post and where I don't have anyone to relieve me so I can take 30-60 minutes off a take a break and get away for a bit.
Security companies seem to think that one can just bring a lunch in a bag and be all comfy for the whole day sitting or standing in one place.
That's why I prefer doing some type of mobile patrol when I can.

Thats how my assignment is for lunch. We dont go off clock for a break we eat lunch on the job. We take in in lunch box coolers. I tell you sometimes eating sandwiches all damn week gets to suck lol. But i take different stuff sometimes. and once in a while i might just buy something up at the gas station when i stop by for the rest room.

Stay Safe All :)

[N. A. Corbier]

Thats how my assignment is for lunch. We dont go off clock for a break we eat lunch on the job. We take in in lunch box coolers. I tell you sometimes eating sandwiches all damn week gets to suck lol. But i take different stuff sometimes. and once in a while i might just buy something up at the gas station when i stop by for the rest room.

Stay Safe All :)

Better than eating MREs, at least.

[D.Dawson]

My worst site was during the formation of the company I work for now ( McKeen Security) I started with Advanced Security when they took over Bedway Security. The person that ran Bedway security decided to start his own business (McKeens) anyhow now that is explained ,the job site was an old rock portal (coal mine) in the northern pan handle of West Virginia. We were told that methane gas was escaping from the portal and the area had to be kept clear of campfires , vehicles and people. Well doesnt sound hard but there was no where to sit but in your car , no bathroom facilities and the only contact you had was a cell phone that worked sometimes.

My biggest thing was that they wanted us to go into the woods and tell people to put their fires out. Now i dont know if you all know the WVA area very well but im not about to go into the dark woods towards someones camp and scare the crap out of people in a state that has a concealed carry permit law and the fact that its WVA where every tom dick and harry are probally packin anyway cause they are on a campin trip. NO THANKS

anyway to make a long story short McKeens opened up his company and 96% of the employees went to McKeens , so I got stuck out at that site for 23 1/2 hours thanks to my wonderful boss Greg Bremalowe. Needless to say I went to McKeens also and have been there since. I think all Private security Companys have there fair share of CRAP sites.

Well ill stop blabberin :)

Dan

[doughesson]

I always hated corporate posts where you say at the front desk like a receptionist and repeated"Elevators are down the hall and the restrooms are behind the potted plants.NOT the potted plants,you jerk!"
ANY post that had a De-tex clock and a specified route that I had to follow is also on my list.Just to make sure someone couldn't time me,after I learned the layout of the post,I'd change the order in which I hit the keys.I always got called on it and my answer was usually the same:We should not set a routine where we are seen to be checking the same areas and the exact same times each shift.I got few gripes about it after i caught a couple guys breaking into a paint building after my days off when they'd watched my relief go about his tours and then back to his TV set.
I much rather have been assigned to driving patrols,still watches or walking posts than those.

[Bill Warnock]

In my civilian government career, I received permission to take a part-time job with a security company to try to learn the ins and outs of private and corporate security. First assignment, unarmed guard!
When given a tour of a plant with a security company supervisor, I marked each location of the Detex Clock check-in on a notebook. When left on my own, I varied the route to insure not to establish a set pattern. When the company supervisor read the clock's punch patterns he asked me why I had not followed the exact pattern he demonstrated. I explained my rationale and noted that each clock station was punched each time in a different pattern. Further, I reminded him he had briefed me that the plant was experiencing stock theft, and by varying routes we could break-up those thefts. I also told him I had removed the various colored ribbons hanging from the perimeter fence. Different colors represented pick-up points for various types of materials. The local plant security manager, an additional duty with no previous experience, was surprised the colored ribbons were for that purpose. The company supervisor was just as surprised. I was able to make the rounds without further comment.
After a week of night duty, I was moved to another site because the company's intelligence people developed information that there was a real threat made on my life. As an aside, thefts stopped and they assigned two armed guards in the plant.
I learned about the colored ribbons affixed to fences at the Army Physical Security Course, held at the MP School, at that time Fort Gordon, GA.
Interesting experience.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

I learned awhile ago that anything that affixes itself to a perimeter fence is not concidental or random. Someone marked that location for a reason. On one property, the local professional homeless would mark the fence line with vines - a bare patch of fence suddenly with a bunch of vines weaved into the chain. They would also use colored ribbon, bits of candy bar wrapper woven in, anything "inconsipcious."

We eventually started finding fence cuts, almost surgical, so that the entire fence could be rolled back, in the marked areas.

[Bill Warnock]

There are still some in this business who do not believe fence markings such as you and I described amount for much. I firmly believe a lot of stock as well as finished product got out the door and over the fence.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[Serpico]

There are still some in this business who do not believe fence markings such as you and I described amount for much. I firmly believe a lot of stock as well as finished product got out the door and over the fence.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

I couldn't agree more. When I worked in loss prevention at a major chain home improvement store, we had a very large fence surrounding the lumber yard. No matter how many times I complained to store management about fixing the gaps in the fence, they never would. That was until we caught a guy with $8500 in drills trying to go out through the gap in the fence.

[Bill Warnock]

I wonder what other inventory left the plant before this person and the drills was found and stopped. I am amused by all the talk about reducing theft and do little to close the "bard door" as the last horse is stopped.
We in security started the "proactive" business. Now it seems we are in the reactive mode and I wonder why?
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

I wonder what other inventory left the plant before this person and the drills was found and stopped. I am amused by all the talk about reducing theft and do little to close the "bard door" as the last horse is stopped.
We in security started the "proactive" business. Now it seems we are in the reactive mode and I wonder why?
Enjoy the day,
Bill

Cheaper that way.

Alot of times, the security department in a retail enviornment notes things like that. The maintenance department dosen't have it in their budget to fix those gaping holes in the fence, so they're left alone. The security department keeps nagging, till its made uncomfortable for them to nag by the store manager. After all, its going to look bad on her performance evaluation if she can't get the fence holes plugged, and someone knows they're there.

This all stems from genie out of bottle syndrome. Its out, and upper level management, the client, etc, demands that it be put back in - they can't handle the genie, and they're afraid of what its knowlege will do to them legally.

The Editor-in-Chief of Security Dealer, a CygnusBusinessMedia magazine, wrote about the trend in corporate governance to be deaf, dumb, and blind to threats. The rationale, based on the WTC 1991 ruling, is that you can't be sued or fined over it if you don't know its existance. This, of course, goes against the entire point of the security department/contract security company concept. But, then again, it also provides more targets to sue. "The contract guards didn't tell us all the security lights have been out for 8 months. They stopped reporting them after 6 months. We thought they fixed themselves. That's why we're not at fault that 20 co-eds were gunned down because they couldn't see the gang war out front of the dorm room."

The job now, in some areas, seems to be definately reactive - shut the hell up and go back to turning keys on that clock.

[Serpico]

In response to the original topic, I was working an insurance claim investigation in one of the projects in Jamaica, Queens. It was on Labor Day and there was a huge BBQ at my claimant's residence. There must've been 50+ people in that yard and probably a half dozen pit bulls. I needed to verify which one my claimant was out of the crowd. My boss, in his infinate wisdom, had the worst pretext I've ever heard. I was told to walk up to this crowd of people and identify myself as a member of the "Human Foundation" and I was to ask for my claimant by name to thank him for his charitable contribution. I was a clean cut white guy walking through the project park, needless to say, I was pegged as police instantly. I saw about 20-25 people approaching me with their dogs and got the hell out as fast as I could.

A similar incident happened in the South Bronx. This time, my boss decided it would be wise for me to question a dozen Latin Kings about my claimant. It didn't go over so well. ;)

[Mr. Security]

In response to the original topic, I was working an insurance claim investigation in one of the projects in Jamaica, Queens. It was on Labor Day and there was a huge BBQ at my claimant's residence. There must've been 50+ people in that yard and probably a half dozen pit bulls. I needed to verify which one my claimant was out of the crowd. My boss, in his infinate wisdom, had the worst pretext I've ever heard. I was told to walk up to this crowd of people and identify myself as a member of the "Human Foundation" and I was to ask for my claimant by name to thank him for his charitable contribution. I was a clean cut white guy walking through the project park, needless to say, I was pegged as police instantly. I saw about 20-25 people approaching me with their dogs and got the hell out as fast as I could.

A similar incident happened in the South Bronx. This time, my boss decided it would be wise for me to question a dozen Latin Kings about my claimant. It didn't go over so well. ;)

Are you sure your boss doesn't have a policy out on you with him as the beneficiary? :D Sounds like he was trying to help you have a most unfortunate "accident," if you get my drift. :rolleyes:

[Serpico]

Are you sure your boss doesn't have a policy out on you with him as the beneficiary? :D Sounds like he was trying to help you have a most unfortunate "accident," if you get my drift. :rolleyes:

Could've been the case. If there's one thing I learned, never piss off the brass when you're 1000 miles from home.

[ff000525]

I'll post my thoughts anyway. I work for a international security contract company. The account I work is in the ghetto of a town in WI and is a pretty "soft" site. We wear blazers and ties to work, take car reservations, and have set routes were we hit electronic chips. The tours are all inside with no perimeter checks despite being in the work part of town. In the few weeks I've been called "dude" "bro" and "man" by employees and have realized that we're just low paid receptionists. Despite the fact that this company had a shooting at one of its out of state plants that killed 3 and injurered 5 less than 3 years ago, nobody here seems to be in the "progressive security" state of mind. It's a pretty quite site, minus the police chases past the facility but I hope I can find a better job before the sh$# hits the fan one of these days, because if they stay so complacent something is bound to happen, and when it does it will be a lose lose situation for everyone.

[N. A. Corbier]

I'll post my thoughts anyway. I work for a international security contract company. The account I work is in the ghetto of a town in WI and is a pretty "soft" site. We wear blazers and ties to work, take car reservations, and have set routes were we hit electronic chips. The tours are all inside with no perimeter checks despite being in the work part of town. In the few weeks I've been called "dude" "bro" and "man" by employees and have realized that we're just low paid receptionists. Despite the fact that this company had a shooting at one of its out of state plants that killed 3 and injurered 5 less than 3 years ago, nobody here seems to be in the "progressive security" state of mind. It's a pretty quite site, minus the police chases past the facility but I hope I can find a better job before the sh$# hits the fan one of these days, because if they stay so complacent something is bound to happen, and when it does it will be a lose lose situation for everyone.

Strangely enough, it sounds like your in Racine or Milwaukee, and work for either Wackenhut, Securitas (They seem to be big up here), or one of the other globals.

It also sounds like your doing Fortune 500 "Conceirge" service, which is where the security officer is responsible for maintaining a visible point of service for the employees - they answer questions, direct guests, etc. That your hitting key clocks says alot about the mentality of the client - they require verification that the contract security company is doing their job, and probally won't pay the contractor if the keys aren't hit.

I have never, ever, liked keys. Mainly because any time keys are installed, the guard will be given a set plan, be told a timetable on when to hit the key stations, and will be given the impression (Never in writing, mind you...) that when the keys are late, the guard is slacking off.

Many times, like mobile patrol, the guard will hurry through the key stations watching the clock, and completely miss unsafe conditions. (The guard is technically not there for criminal activity or other life safety issues if they're punching a key station, usually.) Any bad person, inside threat or outside, will quickly determine the key schedule, and know when to do their business.

A federal site I worked used key clocks. Not due to the client, but because of the county airport that had "oversight" over the guard force, and religated them to the control of the "Airport Police." This meant we had a police radio we were never allowed to turn on (No authorization from state to use radio, using radio is a crime), and the "Airport Police's" "Chief" (A Lieutenant) put it best: "We don't care what you do, but when we don't like you, we fire you." They're 8 man police force was replaced with two deputy sheriffs in the area. Most of the airport police officers were reserve deputy sheriff's, as well.

Many a Coast Guardsman knew our key schedule, and when we deviated from it, the airport police would call the security company and complain we weren't "doing our job." I recieved a reprimand from the company for deviating from the key schedule to investigate a fire next to the facility. Amusingly enough, I recieved a commendation from the Coast Guard for detecting a dangerous fire that could of destroyed millions of dollars of USCG Helicopters, and raised an alarm. Then we sat back and watched the building burn, we all hauled foam lines out in case embers hit the base and set it alight.

[Mr. Security]

.....
I have never, ever, liked keys. Mainly because any time keys are installed, the guard will be given a set plan, be told a timetable on when to hit the key stations, and will be given the impression (Never in writing, mind you...) that when the keys are late, the guard is slacking off.

Many times, like mobile patrol, the guard will hurry through the key stations watching the clock, and completely miss unsafe conditions......

I absolutely agree. Even w/o a timetable, it allows guards to just hit the "keys" and not check other areas of the building that don't have a checkpoint.

[ff000525]

Because its a bunch of professionals, trying to be professional and trying to do their job the right way despite the lacksidasical attitude of account clients. N.A, you're right I do work in Racine, but I'm not going to put my employer's name out there because its just not good business. Being the "FNG" at this site, my opinions and ideas aren't recieved by anyone, but oh well. The security guys and gals at the site are all good people, but the job is overwatched by the client contact, who by the way has never been in Security, the military or even stood in our shoes for one minute in her life. I'm getting off the point of this topic, but some guys just need to vent. For example, during a Medical incident the other day, I was standing by a door to direct Fire Fighters in and radioed to base to ensure that I was going to send them to the proper door..... it went a little something like this
Me: "Patrol to base, that Med incident is at door XYZ, correct?"
Base: "That's correct"
Me: "Copy, let me know when Medics arrive and I'll send them there"
Client contact: "Patrol, send them in door XXY, it'll be easier for them"
Me: "Copy, I'll send them in door XXY"
So medics get there and I send them in door XXY, as I walk in the building after them, I see them backing out of the door (it wasn't easier for them) and the LT giving me a "dumb-ass rent-a-cop" look. Needless to say, its hard to do a job when every moved is micro-managed and mirco-managed incorrectly. Yet our illustrius company is so worried about losing an account that no one will stand up to this "security manager". Oh well, time to put my business suit on and get to work.

[ff000525]

Really, I don't mind manning a post and checking people in, I even give them directions in a nice courteous manner. What I don't like is the fact that we mop up water leaks, get yelled at if we pass up a burnt our light bulb and don't write an IR about it, and are required to make car reservations even though this company has a travel department. I probably wouldn't mind doing these things so much if someone said, "hey good job" or "that leak you wrote up and then fixed the best you could saved the company $xxxxx" but nope there is none of that. They actually pay us pretty well, starting pay is over $10, but anyone who has ever taken a leadership class, or leadership training knows that its not how much you pay employees but its how you take care of your employees or subordinates, its how you treat them and how well you try to give them a good, safe and progressive working enviroment.

[Mr. Security]

Really, I don't mind manning a post and checking people in, I even give them directions in a nice courteous manner. What I don't like is the fact that we mop up water leaks, get yelled at if we pass up a burnt our light bulb and don't write an IR about it, and are required to make car reservations even though this company has a travel department. I probably wouldn't mind doing these things so much if someone said, "hey good job" or "that leak you wrote up and then fixed the best you could saved the company $xxxxx" but nope there is none of that. They actually pay us pretty well, starting pay is over $10, but anyone who has ever taken a leadership class, or leadership training knows that its not how much you pay employees but its how you take care of your employees or subordinates, its how you treat them and how well you try to give them a good, safe and progressive working enviroment.

I think I used to work for your company. I finally got fed-up with their "Value-Added-Services," when they started taking precedent over security. The company just didn't have the backbone to stand up to the client even when the client's requests compromised security. They didn't want to lose the account.

I work for another large security company now. At least we aren't required to perform non-security functions.

[N. A. Corbier]

If my POV didn't blow up, I'd of taken a warm body security post in Racine just to get my WI guard license at the company's expense, and to learn how they're doing things up here. The Ops Manager for the company I applied to recongized me from SIW, and asked, "Are you here to work, or here to learn about our company?" I told him the truth, "I'm here to see how things are done in Wisconsin. I'll give my 40 hours, and your company's proprietary information is yours." I was accepted for an unarmed (by request - paying for a rig I want is expensive) mobile patrol shopping mall be bored post, but then had a POV engineering casualty so I had to decline. :|

So, I'm still doing IT, whee. But, what I did learn from the interview spoke volumes about the companies up here - managers still don't know the laws. "We can't carry rifles up here." Yes, you can, several companies routinely carry the M4 rifle in their cars. Its things like this that make it obvious: Training, Training, Training. Know your laws. Know your company's abilities. Even if your a branch manager working in the confines of your parent company - know your laws and company regulations. It may be against Company Regulation to be armed with anything but a 9mm and a shotgun, but it isn't against Wisconsin State Law.

And, of course, I'm still plotting, scheming, and saving up for start up day. And looking for investors.

The following statement was a forward looking projection, and not a guarantee of securities or bond. Any investment contains substantial risk, and should be researched throughly by the investor prior to comitting to an investment. The statement "looing for investors" has not been approved or endorced by the US Federal Trade Commission, or Securities and Exchange Commission. Thank you for reading this little diatribe.

[Mr. Security]

.....
The following statement was a forward looking projection, and not a guarantee of securities or bond. Any investment contains substantial risk, and should be researched throughly by the investor prior to comitting to an investment. The statement "looing for investors" has not been approved or endorced by the US Federal Trade Commission, or Securities and Exchange Commission. Thank you for reading this little diatribe.

You're too much. :D

[Mr. Security]

.... Oh well, time to put my business suit on and get to work.

Yea, I just LOVE my blazer uniform. :rolleyes: