Crime related work

[HotelSecurity]

In reading the posts I read about guns, handcuffs, flashlights, pepper spray etc etc etc. I don't know how it is in other areas of security but in hotels crime prevention & interventions after a crime are a very very small part of our duties. We do more service type things, accident prevention, fire prevention & enforcing hotel rules than we do enforcing laws or doing crime prevention. Is it the same in most other tyoes of security? If it is how come we rarely read about types of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, contents of first aid kits etc.? Is it because deep down inside a lot of us are still want-a-bees

[Charger]

Well, to put it simply... Which is more exciting/entertaining to talk about? Pepper spray, or fire alarms? Guns, or first aid kits?

At our site most of that stuff is handled either by maintenance or management. The only 'extra' duty we have is that we not only make note of burned out lights, we actually do the replacing of the bulbs. Of course, this town has a very large population of tweakers & crackheads that like to wander around, so we're kept pretty busy dealing with them.

[Bill Warnock]

In reading the posts I read about guns, handcuffs, flashlights, pepper spray etc etc etc. I don't know how it is in other areas of security but in hotels crime prevention & interventions after a crime are a very very small part of our duties. We do more service type things, accident prevention, fire prevention & enforcing hotel rules than we do enforcing laws or doing crime prevention. Is it the same in most other tyoes of security? If it is how come we rarely read about types of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, contents of first aid kits etc.? Is it because deep down inside a lot of us are still want-a-bees

Hotel Security you bring up some valid points. Bridgegate also had a valid point when he talked about some things being the most fun to talk about.
After I got into the inspection/survey business, I found that bringing a law enforcement background to this business was a true blessing. You fall back on your training when out in the field and asking folks how well they are prepared for an emergency? You see indicators of organized theft, cheating and other things that whet the appetite of some one who takes what he does seriously. Sometimes you have to drag maintenance and safety folks kicking and screaming and force them to do their jobs.
You share in so far as possible the intelligence you have gleaned with local or federal law enforcement and other security professionals.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

For a lot of clients, the entire purpose of the contract security is to observe and report violations of law. And that's about it. Rule violations are usually considered "law violations" by clients who want their security forces to actually do anything as opposed to be passive observers.

First aid kits, fire extinguishers, etc... I'll put it simply:

The job of a security guard is to observe and report. I understand that in taking this position, I am to observe and report offenses of the law or against my client.

I am not a professional rescuer. I understand that if I attempt to perform first aid or other professional rescuer duties, I am in violation of company policy and subject to immediate termination. I understand that my sole duty is to call 911 and report the situation to EMS.

I am not a professional firefighter. I understand that if I attempt to perform firefighting duties or other fire suppression duties, I am in violation of company policy and subject to immediate termination. I understand that my sole duty is to call 911 and report the situation to the Fire Department.

---

I have worked sites where our objectives included arresting violators of law (if we could catch them), enforcing client rules and regulations (which quickly turns into a law enforcement issue when most of the regulations revolve around trespassing laws), and towing vehicles.

If I so much as put a band-aid on a child, I was going to be fired. Period. We didn't have access to first aid kits. Fire? We were specifically told: Call 911, you are not a fireman.

A good example was a site which was very "industrial." We had absolutely no requirement to do anything relating to injury or fire other than call 911 if nobody has already. We weren't informed, and usually the fire department would show up and ask us "Ok, what's going on," and we'd be like, "No clue." Why? Because the security guard was not a professional rescuer or fireman, so why bother telling them? This same plant had a hazardous materials leak and they evacuated, without telling the guard.

Many clients become physically ill when the contract security staff exposes the client to liability by perfroming first aid. I had a man at a Holliday Inn fall to the ground in a grand mal seizure. I was First Aid/CPR/Resuce Breathing certified through ARC, and performed first aid and patient assessment with a 911 operator. The night manager thought nothing of it, after all, isn't that what security is supposed to do? The next day Holliday Inn filed an official complaint and attempted to have me removed for post for causing liability to the chain by performing first aid.

Its really weird when a client has no problem with physically restraining an patron who's trying to injure the front desk staff, but God forbid you try to help someone without causing harm.

[HotelSecurity]

In my 2 Holiday Inns (ONE "L" ) we'd be fired if we didn't provide first aid or try to CONTROL a fire until the fire department arrives. The city fire laws even requires a brigade of a minimum of 3 people. Since there is a Night Auditor & Maintenance & Security only on some nights we are all required to take part. I guess the difference is we are In-House. Another thing is that I believe there are no corporate owned Holiday Inns in Canada.

While working for (or as contract is it better to say at) Holiday Inn did you ever have any dealings with the long time Corporate Director of Security, Mr. Wendal Couch? I'm sure he would have defended you!

[N. A. Corbier]

Never heard of him. The only time I had to ever deal with corporate was when the "Compliance Manager" for our HI reported that they got hit with a $1,000 fine for throwing a guest out. The guest called 1-800-Holiday-Inn and reported the "rude treatment by the security guard."

Yeah, I had her fax over a copy of our report, which showed that the SOB in question was arrested the night he was "rudely treated" by ... me. His rude treatment included being bounced off a wall and thrown out the front doors, then told if he came back in, he'd be OCed.

In front of his wife and daughter, he tried to go for the front desk person's throat. I rounded the corner after the first scream for help. The employee in question was very nice and was trying to accomodate the man's demands for a room that simply didn't exist.

[mike booth]

In reading the posts I read about guns, handcuffs, flashlights, pepper spray etc etc etc. I don't know how it is in other areas of security but in hotels crime prevention & interventions after a crime are a very very small part of our duties. We do more service type things, accident prevention, fire prevention & enforcing hotel rules than we do enforcing laws or doing crime prevention. Is it the same in most other tyoes of security? If it is how come we rarely read about types of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, contents of first aid kits etc.? Is it because deep down inside a lot of us are still want-a-bees

Don't read too much into it. Duty gear is personal. It is issued to me. I carry it. I upgrade it or not. My decision. Fire extinquishers, fire alarms, first aid kits are company/community property. Are you suggesting if I am not happy with the company issue I should spring for an upgrade for everyone? "Hey boss, I'm not happy with our patrol vehicle. Can I have it for a week. I'd like to tweak it at my expense!" LOL

[LavianoTS386]

Would one be subject to civil action if they did not fallow the directions of the 911 operator in the even of a medical emergency?

[Black Caesar]

Don't read too much into it. Duty gear is personal. It is issued to me. I carry it. I upgrade it or not. My decision. Fire extinquishers, fire alarms, first aid kits are company/community property. Are you suggesting if I am not happy with the company issue I should spring for an upgrade for everyone? "Hey boss, I'm not happy with our patrol vehicle. Can I have it for a week. I'd like to tweak it at my expense!" LOL

Gives me a great Idea for a new reality TV show!

"This week on Pimp my Cruiser......"

[Black Caesar]

In reading the posts I read about guns, handcuffs, flashlights, pepper spray etc etc etc. I don't know how it is in other areas of security but in hotels crime prevention & interventions after a crime are a very very small part of our duties. We do more service type things, accident prevention, fire prevention & enforcing hotel rules than we do enforcing laws or doing crime prevention. Is it the same in most other tyoes of security? If it is how come we rarely read about types of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, contents of first aid kits etc.? Is it because deep down inside a lot of us are still want-a-bees

Yea, don't think too much of it, its natural.

Most traditional Law Enforcement work is as boring and mundane as most private security work (an non-tradtional types of LE, like Campus policing, can be more boring than both put together lol). People on LE sites don't talk about the brand of pen they use to write reports, or about having 6 hour stretches between calls (which can happen in very remote rural areas and such). they talk about fun stuff. Same here,

Same with soldiers, they don't talk about the 20 hour flight to another part of the world, they talk about 50 second firefight they got into once they arrived lol. Somethings are interesting, some things just aren't.

[N. A. Corbier]

Would one be subject to civil action if they did not fallow the directions of the 911 operator in the even of a medical emergency?

Most "duty to aid" laws state that you must make a personal decision to take life saving measures. The only duty you have is to call 911. You don't have to perform any life saving mesaure that the operator suggests.

Only a sworn law enforcement officer in most states can order medical aid when the rescuer does not want to perform it, or when the rescuee does not want to recieve it.

[ctbgpo]

When I went through the Emergency Medical Dispatch class they told us to ask the person "Would you like Instructions while you wait for E.M.S. arrival ?"and if the person said no then we were to say ok and keep on the line. Thats it no penalty no nothing.

[mike booth]

Gives me a great Idea for a new reality TV show!

"This week on Pimp my Cruiser......"

I'm in on the profits, or not. If I have to sue you it might help the media buzz. I'm easy!

[Charger]

Gives me a great Idea for a new reality TV show!

"This week on Pimp my Cruiser......"

For some reason, the episode of Monster Garage where they turned an old cruiser into a mobile donut shop comes to mind... LOL