what would you do?????

[ozsecuritychic]

when the shops count their tills the guards go into the store while its done.It come to my attention that the guard that I took over from was recieving complaints because while the shops were counting the money she would be leaning over the counter, arms folded and did that even when she was supposed to be patroling.She says that she has to do that because if anyone tries to rob them they have to get past her first. When I go in I stand back from the registers and have a clear view of what is going on as I prefer to see who is coming and going and dont want to give them someone to use as leverage(knife in back so they hand over money). What would you do, my way or the other way? or neither.

[S/O245]

Ok so she has her back to everyone then ? and cant see who is coming in. You could be nice and tell her you would like to show her an exmple. Have her stand like that then come in like a customer and say got you see how easy that was and you never seen it coming. People dont like to be told when they are doing something wrong. But in this job doing something wrong can get you hurt. Tell her that you are not saying she is doing anything wrong or anything. But another way may be safer. Exaplin to her that she is your fellow S/O sister and you would never want to see anything bad happen to a fellow brother or sister. If after this she dont take your advice then its on her.

I was told once by a PO that on traffic stops i wasnt standing the proper way and could not react fast enough. I loved this officer for that. Because i changed how i was doing.

Its best to stand back so you can see who is coming going etc. If you have your back to them they can get you and you wont see it coming, but you will feel it after.

Stay Safe All

[Eric]

Unless you are there to help with the count, you should be maintaining a vigil for safety and security of the employee/money/products, or whatever the client wants (within reason).

Why is the money not counted in a secure location, after the store is locked etc.

[ozsecuritychic]

some of the shops are not locked unless the mall is so they count their tills in view of everyone and normally at the same time everyday. and I have been told that im not allowed to say anything to the shop keepers about how they do things EG one of the shops had life size manequins smack bang in the middle of the store with displays on both sides, when i walked past I could not see into the shop or see their tills ect so if they were being held up(the store is right in front of an exit and cars could easily be parked as get aways).I thought I was doing the right thing about informing them that I couldnt see in to make sure they are ok,their boss said how impressed they were with me to the centre managers who then gave me a good rap to my boss and I got a revving about telling them that, I didnt tell them they were an easy target or anything.So I was told im not to say anything. One shop does the till while they are still serving customers,they actually walk away from the till and leave it open with the money bagged up

[Mall Director]

Definately hanging back somewhere near by for ready response is the best, while hanging over the counter leaves a person in the "non-ready" position. Good job!

[K-9 Aussie]

Why is the money not counted in a secure location, after the store is locked etc.

I'm with you here.

Ozsecuritychick, I noticed you mentioned that some of the shops can't close whilst the mall is open.

My strongest advice is in this instance i.e. supermarkets etc that have to be open until the mall closes is escort staff to a secure location away from the publics eyes and have the staff count the money there.

Malls/shopping centres are a haven for easy pickings for those looking for quick easy money to feed their drug and other illegal habbits/crimes. Counting money in full view of the public is asking for trouble and this is where elaborate and violent hold-ups come from. Take a look at any of the most violnt hold-ups in Australia and most of the criminals will admit they "cased" the premises for sometime and knew how much money they usually have.

When the staff are ready to count the tills, have them contact you and you then escort them to a pay office or other secure location out of the public view where they can count the takings there. Really this also come down to OH&S rules for workers safety, not to mention some of the stores insurance policies. Also if these stores continued to count the money out in the full view of the public and there was a violent armed hold-up and other shoppers were hurt or even killed, the shop would be liable in its "failure of duty of care" and possible criminal and civil charges would then follow.

Remember the golden rule, "out of sight is out of mind". If the public can't see it then it reduces the risk.

Having staff count money in full view of the public is a serious accident waitng to happen.

[Mr. Security]

Based on what you've said, I'm not sure that management appreciates your advice, even though you are absolutely correct. The clerks seem to value it, but then you get flak from it later on.

If you sense that management wants you to keep your observations to yourself, then so be it until management changes. In the meantime, don't risk your neck trying to protect the clerks if a robbery goes down. I know you want to help, but you didn't invite or cause the problem; management did. Unfortunately, their subordinates may have to pay the price for such stupidity.

When it goes down, and it will sooner or later, make sure you have an escape route already picked out.

[K-9 Aussie]

Based on what you've said, I'm not sure that management appreciates your advice, even though you are absolutely correct. The clerks seem to value it, but then you get flak from it later on.

If you sense that management wants you to keep your observations to yourself, then so be it until management changes. In the meantime, don't risk your neck trying to protect the clerks if a robbery goes down. I know you want to help, but you didn't invite or cause the problem; management did. Unfortunately, their subordinates may have to pay the price for such stupidity.

When it goes down, and it will sooner or later, make sure you have an escape route already picked out.

Honestly security is taken as a big joke here in Australia. Mall managers over here claim that handcuffs and batons and duty belts are "offensive" and most won't let you were them. If there is ever a terrorist attack in Australia it will be in a shopping centre for sure as security is a massive joke in these locations.

Our biggest chain of malls here is Westfields, and the security guards uniform is I kid you not, a suit and tie Honestly it's a joke! I've had that many arguments with gurads and mall managers over here it's not funny over these issues. It's only just now that mall managers are finally seeing the light in respect of OH&S policies and "duty of care" to the public and guards. Normally I have to threaten civil action against the mall involved if they refuse to let guards work with handcuffs and batons. Mall managers usually then change their mind.

Basically over here we have an "unwritten rule", that it's 1 guard to 100 people. 95% of the time that guard has no handcuffs or batons either to protect themselves or the public.