Questions about being an armored car guard.

[Hank1]

Especially with your coworkers. Many an armored car robbery has turned out to be an inside job. That means that you probably won't be around afterwards to identify them. Many LEO's and SO's are willing to take on the risk that their job entails only because they know their partners/coworkers will cover their backs. That's not necessarily the case when millions are at stake.

Agreed! I think you would need to know your partner extremely well. But even so, as I have stated earlier. No carrying of valuables for me.

Be Safe,

Hank

[sgtnewby]

No offense taken... to your first point, I would say that you have to understand that California has one of the most populated regions of the nation therefore a higher demand for law enforcement. As far as you applying with the LAPD and repaying them if you leave, my understanding is that they got rid of it because they were losing too many applicants. There are too many agencies out here that would welcome them with open arms.

I'm sure they did lose a lot of candidates because of that policy. I tested, if I remember correctly, 1999.... They still had the policy at the time.

[gonzo1510]

I don't mean to sound "high and mighty" or sound like "Minnesota's better." But, police departments in MN don't have to travel to other states to recruit people. It's not that the departments here are better, it's just that police departments here can be extremely picky about who they hire. I don't know the exact figure off the top of my head, but it's something like for every one police officer job opening, there are 400 people with their criminal justice degrees to apply for it. Our colleges pump out way more people that are POST elegible to be licenced as police then there are departments that need cops. You can be POST elegible for years here and never get a cop job unless you go out of state. It's all about supply and demand. We have the supply, but there just isn't the demand.

I actuall took the LAPD test here in St. Paul and passed. $2K for relocation assistance is not enough when your salary alone can't afford you housing near the city where you work, and that little clause in the hiring contract where they explain that if you resign prior to your third year anniversary, you have to pay them x amount of dollars per month until that 3 year period is up. No thanks...

No offense taken... to your first point, I would say that you have to understand that California has one of the most populated regions of the nation therefore a higher demand for law enforcement. As far as you applying with the LAPD and repaying them if you leave, my understanding is that they got rid of it because they were losing too many applicants. There are too many agencies out here that would welcome them with open arms.

[sgtnewby]

Nobody is paid here by cheque (must be a yank thing) as for the past 20 odd years my wages have always gone into my bank account (1st 2 years of work I waited with eagerness for the clickety clack of the pay cart from the lift (elevator) with cash to pay the office.

Cash is still popular, but with debit cards able to disperse $2k a day, credit cards with no limit and pre-paid Visa's becoming more popular, people are going to choose these options than having to line up for cash and be charged fees for doing this from an ATM. We do not have the drive-through banks or ATM services like you yanks but I guess we don't have the need for it - yet.

My pay actually gets directly deposited into my bank account. The bank then takes their share for my auto loan, the rest goes through a Visa Cheque card or on-line I can transfer money to a savings account. I haven't seen an actual "paycheck" since I've worked at the hospital. They don't even send you a paycheck stub anymore, now you have to download it from the hospital "intranet."

[NRM_Oz]

Nobody is paid here by cheque (must be a yank thing) as for the past 20 odd years my wages have always gone into my bank account (1st 2 years of work I waited with eagerness for the clickety clack of the pay cart from the lift (elevator) with cash to pay the office.

Cash is still popular, but with debit cards able to disperse $2k a day, credit cards with no limit and pre-paid Visa's becoming more popular, people are going to choose these options than having to line up for cash and be charged fees for doing this from an ATM. We do not have the drive-through banks or ATM services like you yanks but I guess we don't have the need for it - yet.

[sgtnewby]

Sgtnewby, while we try to avoid contact with the public, we still have to deal with them on a day to day basis. One of the things that companies are pushing is customer service. Personally I know that we can lose or gain an account based on how we carry ourselves(I've seen it happen). Sure it's not as indepth as say you at your post or patrol route but we're still out there. Another thing is that many P.D.'s do look at this job as a stepping stone since it is a position of high responsibility not to take anything away from military or security of any sort. I can tell you that we lose many of our staff to state corrections and L.A. County Sheriff's by the boat load.

I don't mean to sound "high and mighty" or sound like "Minnesota's better." But, police departments in MN don't have to travel to other states to recruit people. It's not that the departments here are better, it's just that police departments here can be extremely picky about who they hire. I don't know the exact figure off the top of my head, but it's something like for every one police officer job opening, there are 400 people with their criminal justice degrees to apply for it. Our colleges pump out way more people that are POST elegible to be licenced as police then there are departments that need cops. You can be POST elegible for years here and never get a cop job unless you go out of state. It's all about supply and demand. We have the supply, but there just isn't the demand.

I actuall took the LAPD test here in St. Paul and passed. $2K for relocation assistance is not enough when your salary alone can't afford you housing near the city where you work, and that little clause in the hiring contract where they explain that if you resign prior to your third year anniversary, you have to pay them x amount of dollars per month until that 3 year period is up. No thanks...

[gonzo1510]

Here's the thing about transporting money; even though it's a "security" job, your primary job it to transport. Like the guy above me said "UPS with a gun." You will probably be on a tight schedule and have to work at a brisk pace.

Danny, our job isn't a security job in any sense of the word. As a matter of fact, here in California armored car messengers are relieved of the security guard act. We are also exempt from the annual 40 hour training required for security guards. We only carry guard cards and gun cards because of state mandate. We're also exempt from the ten round limit on firearms and can carry concealed without a CCW while on duty.

I know police departments do not favor candidates with just armored car guard experience. The reason being, they are looking for people with "people skills." They want someone that has a lot of experience with dealing with people from all walks of life. The idea of an armored car guard, is to avoid contact with people other then the one person they might have to talk to at their pick-up and drop-off points. I've never worked as an armored car guard and have to say, I never will. You're a big target, and armored car companies are too cheap to have a driver and 2 pick up people so you have and extra set of eyes and ammo...

Sgtnewby, while we try to avoid contact with the public, we still have to deal with them on a day to day basis. One of the things that companies are pushing is customer service. Personally I know that we can lose or gain an account based on how we carry ourselves(I've seen it happen). Sure it's not as indepth as say you at your post or patrol route but we're still out there. Another thing is that many P.D.'s do look at this job as a stepping stone since it is a position of high responsibility not to take anything away from military or security of any sort. I can tell you that we lose many of our staff to state corrections and L.A. County Sheriff's by the boat load.

[sgtnewby]

I know police departments do not favor candidates with just armored car guard experience. The reason being, they are looking for people with "people skills." They want someone that has a lot of experience with dealing with people from all walks of life. The idea of an armored car guard, is to avoid contact with people other then the one person they might have to talk to at their pick-up and drop-off points. I've never worked as an armored car guard and have to say, I never will. You're a big target, and armored car companies are too cheap to have a driver and 2 pick up people so you have and extra set of eyes and ammo...

[N. A. Corbier]

You are. Trust me on this.

We have been trying to get rid of paper money since the creation of the country. That's why they keep coming up with coin dollars.

Eventually, our prepaid and bank-linked debit system will replace money. Not entirely, but it will be seen as quaint, eccentric, and "cute" when someone whips out bills.

In some European countries, people using checks or cash are seen as odd.

[EMTGuard]

The more I read the more I'm glad I didn't take that Brinks job.

[NRM_Oz]

We had a Brinks truck full of cashola just suddenly disappear and end up empty (shock horror) in another state (before the days of GPS tracking). Yes it was an inside job and yes they never found the crew but it was slick, well planned and executed.

Many armoured car crews are hit by armed bandits who not only steal $$$ but the guard's firearms to disable them. All this for an extra $2.50 US an hour for 2 man crews and many guards just carry the basic belt kit (holster and mag holder if lucky) and for safety reasons should be wearing steel cap boots as the coin bags / boxes can break bones if dropped on your foot.

I recall the week I filled in for a cash collection job for some newsagencies (magazines, papers, etc). As most $$$ were coins and with the security case weighing 15+lbs, the day after payday at a few places had the case at over 60lbs usually all coins. I struggled to carry it with 2 hands and we were not allowed to use a trolley like most crews do now. My attitude was - if you want to steal it and you can carry it - it is yours ($$ can be replaced). The regular bloke had done if for 5 years and had known curvature of the spine for carrying such a heavy case every day. After that week I declined any future offers as my back is worth more than what they could pay me.

[ddog]

Here's the thing about transporting money; even though it's a "security" job, your primary job it to transport. Like the guy above me said "UPS with a gun." You will probably be on a tight schedule and have to work at a brisk pace.

Not only that, but money is heavy!! Plus your job will eventually be obsolete once we become a 100% Credit Card society.

Except when everyone declares bankruptcy, it may be a 100% Master Debit Card society. Any driving job on a schedules sux royally. When your insurance jumps from azzholes constantly following in your blind side, it threatens working for anyone, except with a bicycle for transportation to/from work. Driving is fun, but its not that fun.

[ddog]

My friend is a former armored car driver was leaving the City Of Boston on
one of our many bridges, and inside the truck was a cool $ 56 million dollars.
You really want to be responsible for this much cash, when your paid chump change?

Let me understand better please. What truck with what markings, logos, make, and model; along with typical time(s) of day(s), exact street route, and direction are you talking about?

[Hank1]

My friend is a former armored car driver was leaving the City Of Boston on
one of our many bridges, and inside the truck was a cool $ 56 million dollars.
You really want to be responsible for this much cash, when your paid chump change?

Yikes! No way.

Be Safe,

Hank

[copelandamuffy]

My friend is a former armored car driver was leaving the City Of Boston on
one of our many bridges, and inside the truck was a cool $ 56 million dollars.
You really want to be responsible for this much cash, when your paid chump change?