Do people hate us?

[Security]

One of the things I have noticed about working security is that people (at least the ones I work with) really don't like us. This isn't just with me, but something I have noticed with all our other SOs, too. It seems like people see us as an inconvenience more than anything else. I have always thought of myself as being a very friendly person... someone who can get along with anybody... but I was in for a big shock when people started reacting this way around me.

I suppose I will just have to get used to it, but I was curious to know if others here have noticed anything similar? Are people generally friendly towards you when you put that uniform on, or do they wish to avoid you at all costs?

Erik

[LPAjh9558]

unfriendly

I work in loss prevention but this is a problem that I've noticed as well. I consider myself to be very outgoing and friendly but it didn't help our company when the LPM that we had wanted to run everything with an iron fist! Plus he always wanted us to act like a**holes so that didn't help either. I guess that since all the associates had gotten use to it then that's what they all expect. Is that something that happens where you work?

[N. A. Corbier]

You represent arbitrary authority and rules placed upon people without their consent. The police also represent this, but security is traditionally seen as "wannabe" when they assert this arbitrary authority, where the police are expected to assert it.

So, you have people who dislike the authority that you represent (which isn't based in law, but on the whims of the property owner of the property they are currently occupying...) and the fact that you are "just a" security guard, which popular media tells them has no authority in any matter, regardless of what reality says.

In other words, you're all the constant reminder of the oppression of the police, without any of the actual authority to oppress. Look at the derogatory terms used for security: Barney Fife (An inept deputy sheriff, not a security guard), Fake Bacon (Fake Police), etc.

Hell, even the word "Guard" is used derogatorily by some. You don't really get this with official names for police, because society is taught by popular culture that if they "take the name police in vein" they'll catch an ass-kicking. Guards have no such association in popular culture, so there is no inherent fear in the word "Guard" like there is "Police."

I think that's the big thing, there's no inherent fear in "Security Guard," and people are resentful for the intrusion by security personnel into their daily affairs (which, of course, violate rule or law) by people who they do not believe should have any authority over them. They authorize police to have authority because the alternative is physical pain, incarceration, humiliation, and corrective action (We call this the criminal justice system.)

I am not advocating that the general public needs to fear security personnel, just that there is no cultural requirement to respect security personnel like there is the police.

Many will jump up and say that there is no requirement to respect the police. But, I ask you this: How many citizens attempted to show some level of respect unless you were taking enforcement action? Once someone's going to jail, all respect and civility is lost, since you are the enemy and depriving them of freedom.

But, before this point, people may hate you for being 'The Man' and intruding in their personal life (even though what they're doing require correction as it violates a law or will...) but they will not do something "stupid" and catch "a beat down."

With security, unless they've made a reputation for taking the same level of enforcement action as the police in the community (depriving people of freedom, causing physical pain, remanding people to the criminal justice system personally instead of just calling 911), you have all the trappings of authority with none of the "bite."

One thing I've noticed through the years is that people also resent security guards because they're paid "snitches." They see activity, then call the police who come an apply corrective action. This equates, to the bad guy, cowardice. Many times I would have someone do something bad, talk to the person, then when they failed to comply, call the police. When the police arrived and took the man into custody, he would lash out verbally (or physically!) about how I wasn't "man enough" to arrest him myself. This, of course, was not my job.

On properties where force was used to restore and hold people in handcuffs for the police, the "bad guys" quickly showed respect for the security personnel, because the security personnel were "man enough" to "step up" to the bad guy and take him down.

That the police were required for arrest and transport was incidental, it was the security personnel that bested the bad guy in physical combat. They won, and respect was then earned.

Granted, this respect was really only seen in gang bangers (You done got me good) and Good Old Boys (Strangely, also 'You done got me.') and not every person who was stopped physically.

[JB diligence]

It doesn't matter how nice or outgoing of a person you are, some people do not like authority figures, rules or both. Security people are there to at least report wrong doing and in some cases enforce rules/laws.

Don't take it personally, just do what your being paid to do and make the best of it. Remeber there are some who truley value our presence and duties.

[LPAjh9558]

It doesn't matter how nice or outgoing of a person you are, some people do not like authority figures, rules or both. Security people are there to at least report wrong doing and in some cases enforce rules/laws.

Don't take it personally, just do what your being paid to do and make the best of it. Remeber there are some who truley value our presence and duties.

I agree. I've noticed that alot of people tend to try their best to disregard what we either "tell and/or ask" them to do. Then again, there are associates that do like working with us and help when they can. For the most part you're right....we do what we have to 'cause it's what we're paid to do!

[EMTGuard]

Some people will just have a problem with us and our job no matter how nice you are.
At the plant where I work we have a union employee parking lot. I can't even park in there since I'm a lowly contractor. The automatic gate arm at the entrance/exit to the lot broke about 3 years ago. So the employees don't have to swipe their IDs to get into the lot anymore. The client is in no hurry to get it fixed. We have a designated parking area for visitors, family, drop offs and pickups, etc up near our area by the main gate.
Nearly everyday I arrive at work and as I drive past the employee lot I see vehicles with kids inside (big sign at the main gate "No Children past this Point") and people clearly not employeed there. I walk into the guard shack, make relief, put my lunch box on the desk and walk out to the lot to clear the violators out. Many are vehicles and people I've seen before.
Me approaching car- "Good evening maam, can I help you?"
Woman in car- "No, I'm just waiting to pick someone up."
Me- "Well, if you wouldn't mind pulling over to the visitor parking area right up front there I'd appreciate it. Management wants only the union employees in this lot. Thanks."
The driver, clearly peeved off, drives out of the lot. Sometimes they park in the visitor area right under the signs marked Visitor Parking. Other times they drive right out the main gate and park out on the highway or just keep going. Then you get the employees showing up at the window of your guard shack complaining, "My wife just called me on the cell phone and said one of you guards just yelled at her and said she can't come into the plant."
You can't please everyone.

[Mr. Security]

Yes.

Yes, people and many police officers hate us because they think we are wannabe cops. Toss in a few morons working security who reinforce this viewpoint and you have a recipe for distain, disrespect, and outright contempt.

I get the "look" when I go into a coffee house in uniform because of this. On the other hand, if I am dressed as a pilot, (which I am) people treat me with respect and admiration.

People at work assume that you couldn't hack it with a real job and that's why you are a security guard. One can try to get used to it, but anyone who is honest will tell you that it still hurts. After all, we all want to be accepted by other people.

[copelandamuffy]

I have been working at an upscale shopping mall the past few weekends
Our job is to escort people through a cross-walk. We have bright orange
vests on so people in cars do tend to stop. Although we joke with those
who we escort throuh the cross-walks that we wear bright orange vests
because that makes for us being easier targets. We have the words
SECURITY pasted on the back of the vests

99% of the people we do escort do say thank you

And I bought a bagel and coffee in a coffee shop in the mall,
and the lady at the register, said " mall security eats free"

FYI: We work quite well with the local police at this mall.

[Chucky]

Copey are you sure she used the word free and you didn't misunderstand her?

The dry cleaners I use give me the same discount as the local police. Pants and shirt $3.85 for both. All others pay $3.00 each piece. Sometimes you got to love the folks that barely speak English. They would be Dependable Dry Cleaners should be one near you.

[JB diligence]

I have been working at an upscale shopping mall the past few weekends
Our job is to escort people through a cross-walk. We have bright orange
vests on so people in cars do tend to stop. Although we joke with those
who we escort throuh the cross-walks that we wear bright orange vests
because that makes for us being easier targets. We have the words
SECURITY pasted on the back of the vests

99% of the people we do escort do say thank you

And I bought a bagel and coffee in a coffee shop in the mall,
and the lady at the register, said " mall security eats free"

FYI: We work quite well with the local police at this mall.

A hospital I worked at had a coffee shop like that

And the food delivery guys will throw us a free bee now and then.

Just always offer to pay and don't treat them any better than anyone else.

[copelandamuffy]

Copey are you sure she used the word free and you didn't misunderstand her?

The dry cleaners I use give me the same discount as the local police. Pants and shirt $3.85 for both. All others pay $3.00 each piece. Sometimes you got to love the folks that barely speak English. They would be Dependable Dry Cleaners should be one near you.

Dependable Dry Cleaners was about a mile from my home.
Yes the lady said free. All I know is that I did not pay for for the bagel and coffee.

My viewpoint is that 90% of the people I have met, are reasonable and understanding to Security. They realize you are just doing your job.

[Mr. Security]

...... All I know is that I did not pay for the bagel and coffee.....

Well now, guess that means your under arrest....

[CorpSec]

Corbier hits the nail on the head. Security is a necessary evil in most people's eyes with no real authority. Even in Minnesota, with very liberal private person arrest laws, the vast majority of companies do not want you to use all the authority that you hae been provided by statute.

My current gig is corporate. The officers are in suits and are the "good" guys. They walk you to your car, welcome your guests, B.S. with you about sports and respond to medical emergencies.

We don't look anything like the police or act anything like them. They get along with us because we are not a "threat" to them.

I don't think I have ever felt "hated" in any of my security positions. If you look professional and act professional, most people will treat you accordingly. However, there is that percentage of folks that you need to deal with on a whole other level.

[CAP]

Self Respect/Integrity

DO people hate us?

I don't care if they do. We have ran into private citizens, residents and visitors, and even some LEO's on contracted property that we have taken flack from. But you know what? It doesn't bother me a bit. And I tell my people to not let it bother them. They don't like you for what you are, not who you are. If these people dont want to take the time to get to know the real "CAP" then to Hell with them.

As long as you respect others and portray yourself with the utmost SELF-RESPECT and INTEGRITY, the people that you would approach and befriend will respond to you in the same positive way.

Keep your head up!

CAP

[HotelSecurity]

If I had a nickle for everyone who swore at me after telling them that they were making too much noise at 3 a.m........