Section 1: Introduction To The Security Industry

Section OverviewWords to KnowWho needs a security licence?General Duties and ResponsibilitiesEtc.

Introduction to the Security Industry

Section OverviewThe Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA) regulates the private Security industry. The PSISA was proclaimed into force on August 23, 2007 to help professionalize the security industry, increase public safety and ensure practitioners receive proper training and are qualified to provide protective services. The PSISA and its regulations govern the way the private security industry operates in Ontario. The Training and Testing Regulation made under the PSISA came into force on April 15, 2010. All security guards must fulfill the mandatory requirements of the Training and Testing regulation in order to be eligible to apply for a license.

Words to Knowaccess routesthe ways in and out of a building or siteclientthe owner or landlord at the place where you are workingconfidentialprivatedatafacts or informationto detectto notice, to become aware ofto deterto prevent or discourageto enforceto make sure that a rule or regulation is followedto evacuateto empty, to get people to leave an areaevidenceanything that proves something or gives a reason for believing somethingguidanceadvice or information for solving a problem or difficultyhazarddangerillegalagainst the lawto inspectto look at carefullyintrudersomeone who has entered an area where they are not supposed to beprocedureway of doing thingsresponsibilitysomething that you must do, watch over or take care ofresponsiblein charge and likely to take the blame if anything goes wrongrestrictedlimited to only certain people, not for the general publicsitethe place where you are guarding

Who needs a security guard licence?

Individuals are required to have a security guard licence if they perform work, for remuneration, that consists primarily of protecting persons or property. This includes but is not limited to bodyguards, bouncers and loss prevention personnel, and more generally speaking, individuals who patrol premises.

General Duties & Responsibilities

Observing and reportingDeterring and detecting crimeKeeping good public relationsResponding to emergenciesControlling access and using alarm systemsPatrollingControlling trafficFinding and reporting safety hazards

Essential Skills

Conflict resolutionKnowledge of telecommunications (ie. two-way radios, cell phone, pager)Radio and emergency telephone proceduresSite safety and emergency proceduresAlarm responseBomb threat detectionTheft and vandalism preventionReport writing

Effective oral communication skillsAbility to problem solve and make decisionsCritical thinkingJob task planning and organizationSignificant use of memoryComputer skills Continuous learning and trainingPowers of arrestUse of force principals

Confidentiality

Keeping secret things secret is called confidentiality. Part of your job is to protect information, so you don’t want to be the cause of an “information leak.” As a security guard you are placed in a position of trust and must always act in ways that keep that trust. Guards often carry keys and have access to areas that other people cannot enter. Because of your duties you will see and hear many things that you must keep secret or share only with certain members of the company or with others in the security department. It is very important that you do not talk about these things with other people.

Standard Operating Procedures

Standard operating procedures cover company policies and ways of doing things. These relate to all sites in the company. These may include expectations such as dressing neatly, being honest and treating the public politely. They may also tell about company rules as well as health and safety issues for the workplace.

Post OrdersPost orders are sometimes called standing orders. They are the procedures and rules for a specific area or post. They may vary from area to area within the company. Each post has its own post orders. Post orders are your most important reference. They tell in detail what is involved in your job. Here are some things that post orders may include:contact numbers for emergency personnelwhere the post iswhat hours the shifts arehow and when to do patrolswhen to lock and unlock doorshow to report problems, etc.specific instructions about what to do in an emergency such as a bomb threat, afire, intruders, injured employeeswhat to do if there is a power failure, flood, or equipment breakdown, etc.special duties, such as deliveries, and when to perform themrules about who you should let into your area and how you should control theentrance

Post Orders continued

Be sure to carefully read all updates or changes in your post orders. Sometimes you may see that something is missing from your post orders or that something needs to be changed. You should report these things to your supervisor or manager.You will also receive memos or notices with special instructions that are not included in your post orders. These may be for a specific event or a situation that will only last for a short time, such as an open house.Your post orders will also outline the way in which you are expected to do your duties.You may be given a fixed post where you stand or sit in one place or you may be expected to do patrols where you check a certain area on foot or in a vehicle.

Security Contracts

A licensed firm sells security services on a contract basis. The client who hires for service will issue a contract outlining security roles and responsibilities to be followed. The security staff works for the security agency and not directly for the property owners.

Take Care of Yourself

Three very important things that can help you to learn better are:Get a good night’s sleep – it’s hard to learn when you’re tired.Eat healthy foods – the healthier you are, the better everything works…including your brain.Exercise – even a walk around the block can help to clear your head and prepare you for studying, or give you a break while studying.

Remember, a security guards hours can be long and at times you can expect to work up to 84hrs a week. You work as a team, succeed as a team and fail as a team. Communication and common sense is the key to being successful in this industry.