Most people recommend hiring off-duty police officers for their security needs, and with good reason. They either trust that their experience in law enforcement is adequate to address their security needs. Hiring security personnel is a consequential decision. You need to consider their competence against your security needs. It also helps to factor in some of the advantages off-duty officers provide over other security personnel.
Here is a look at some benefits of having off-duty police officers on your security team. These significantly account for why police officers come highly recommended.
Experience in Law Enforcement
Police officers are exposed to different situations while discharging their duties. They deal with individuals in high-pressure environments, respond to emergency cases, and deal with prevention strategies and actions. The experience gained while handling their responsibilities at work reinforces the training they received, thus giving them an edge over other defense guards.
Therefore, a police officer’s insight on security matters will help you adopt effective detection and preventive security policies for your company. Further, the officers will easily detect potential suspects and intervene before a crime occurs. You can also count on them to identify, arrest, and help recover stolen items fast, all advantages only an off-duty officer offers.
Better Training
Training in the security space is an expensive, continuous undertaking. Most security personnel lack specialized training. Employers skip training their employees because it affects their company’s bottom line.
Unlike in the private sector, training is mandatory for any individual looking to be a police officer. They go through extensive training in various security sections, including responses to different situations and how to handle victims and potential suspects. Additionally, they are trained in weapons handling and de-escalation techniques, which come in handy in resolving issues without a catastrophic end.
Some private security firms train their staff members. However, the cost implication is passed down to the client seeking security solutions, and most find the cost too high for their needs. With off-duty police officers, you are assured of a trained security team member at a fair price.
Furthermore, police training continues throughout their career, unlike the private sector security teams.
A Police Officer’s Authority
An officer’s experience and understanding of the law enable him/her to carry out their duties with authority.
For example, officers understand the need for probable cause before detaining anyone over an alleged offense. Probable cause is a reasonable belief that an individual has committed a crime.
Further, officers will not detain the individual for any longer than necessary within the dictates of the law. Should there be a need for assistance, the officers will call in their colleagues to help them address the issue.
An officer’s authority in your establishment is one other guards do not offer. A private guard can fail to exercise the control needed in a situation because they lack an understanding of the limits they should not cross when discharging their duties. The problem is further complicated if the guards have had a negative experience or know of another’s negative experience after committing an illegal act while doing their work.
As a business owner, having an off-duty officer will enable you to make better decisions.
Comprehension of the Law
Officers have been exposed to different rules and the guidelines each law specific to their operations dictates. Officers then know how to act and what to do within what the law requires. The same cannot be said of other defense guards. Most have limited or no knowledge of what the law requires in a situation. This compromises their response to a situation. This will adversely impact your security.
In other situations, the guards could violate an individual’s rights. This could lead to further losses should the suspect seek legal action against you or the company. Police officers, through their work, better understand individual rights and will handle the situation differently.
Further, any crime prevention and response policy you adopt will follow the law, thanks to the off-duty police officer’s input. A comprehension of the law reinforces any crime prevention and response effort.
Effective Response to Emergencies
Emergencies require calm and an understanding of how to handle the situation. Many people, including private guards, have a theoretical awareness of responding to emergencies like a fire, shooting incidents, and medical emergencies, among others. However, when faced with the situation, the reality overwhelms them enough to compromise their response.
In crises, proper management matters. Officers, through their various encounters with emergencies, better handle grave situations. The officers can calm individuals at the scene, offer medical aid, manage the crowds at the scene, and calmly help in the evacuation process.
Moreover, emergency teams respond to a distress call from an off-duty police officer faster than if placed by a private guard. Private guards have to place a 911 call. Police officers, on the other hand, can place a distress call on police frequencies by calling out a code specific to a particular emergency. This communication to the emergency dispatcher is more precise and effective.
Off-duty Police Officers are More Credible
No matter the level of training of private guards, they are no match for police officers. Whereas it could not be apparent to many the difference between the two, if you pay close attention, you will notice a difference when interacting with police officers and security guards.
You will quickly realize that police officers have more credibility than private security staff members. This in itself is a deterrent measure. Individuals keen on committing a crime in your establishment will reconsider as soon as they realize police officers guard the premises.
Additionally, word travels fast, thanks to social media. If there were an incident that the officers thwarted, coupled with a quick response by their colleagues, anyone looking to commit an offense in your business would think twice after seeing the news.
Better Protection
Police officers handle different scenarios than their counterparts in the private sector. You are assured of better protection in diverse situations when you hire them.
You must consider preventive measures and responses to situations as a business owner. A police officer handles both.
For example, when a business risks suffering reputational damage, police officers have the training and experience necessary to address the situation. He/she will employ several approaches and link you to credible public relations experts. This is helpful, especially if it is a case of a violation of a customer’s rights and you risk suffering a potential lawsuit.
This is an advantage most private security personnel cannot offer. In other situations, they offer the solution at an extra cost to the business.
Off-Duty Officers Can Do More
Most private guards are limited in the services they offer. Business owners find that the experience and training these guards offer can only be utilized at the entrance of the premises or while monitoring the establishment in the CCTV control rooms.
A police officer does more. Whereas you can utilize them in the areas mentioned above, these officers could provide insight on loss and crime prevention techniques based on their experience. These officers could also take the initiative by managing crowds, traffic control in your business, and patrolling parking lots and buildings. As a business owner, you are assured of a comprehensive security approach when you hire off-duty police officers.
Professionalism
Most officers will treat their new posting professionally, which is key for your business. An individual is considered a professional if he/she meets the following criteria:
a) Competence
Competent professionals get the job done. Professionals are motivated by a desire to achieve their set objectives. They are result-oriented and do not show up for the sake of appearances.
b) Conscientiousness
Consciousness Individuals are reliable, show extreme care for their workplace, and set a high standard for their roles. You will also notice that these individuals are organized and diligent and hold themselves accountable for their actions, words, and thoughts.
Note: Conscientious individuals do not necessarily have to work long hours or obsess over details. Planning and prioritizing their tasks is sufficient.
c) Respect
Professionals are respectful to their colleagues and clients. They uphold individual rights and disagree in an understanding manner. Respectful individuals see no need for emotional outbursts and condescending talk to assert their authority.
Helpful in Tense Employee Termination Situations
Employee terminations are tense situations. The parties involved experience various emotions. The mood could be filled with anger, sadness, uncertainty, frustration, and bitterness. Of concern is the rage-filled disgruntled employees. Some could decide to let the employer know of their anger or frustration. In other situations, the employee could come back to cause harm.
Off-duty officers offer two benefits in this situation that private security guards do not.
Knowing that a police officer is part of the security team, the disgruntled employee will choose not to take revenge or act in a manner that could land him/her in trouble. It is possible to land in legal trouble, especially if a police officer, as an inside person, knows what happened.
Should the employee decide to proceed with their aggression toward the business owner, police officers have the training and experience to ensure a peaceful resolution of the situation.
Police Officers are Armed
Police officers are licensed to carry their firearms even when they are off-duty. However, they are required to conceal the gun when off-duty. Most officers have concealed weapons, which is a benefit for your business as an added security measure. Should there be a violent robbery or a hostage situation where the perpetrators use guns, the situation needs an equivalent show of force should non-violent solutions fail to resolve the crisis peacefully.
You Can Rely on Police Officers to Resolve Workplace Disputes
Conflict is a part of life and is normal. The critical issue of importance is how to resolve conflict. There are three particular conflict areas, namely:
a) Interpersonal Conflict
Disagreements between peers or colleagues in a workplace are common. Different approaches to a task, differing ideologies, attitudes, and personalities cause workplace tension. Miscommunication also increases the risk of workplace conflict.
b) Inter-group Conflict
Departments within an organization could be in conflict. This is expected, especially during highly stressful situations like at the end of the year when departments prepare to close off financial accounts, when the company faces legal action, or when there is an interdepartmental competition and the winner is set to receive a handsome reward.
In other scenarios, it could be a department dealing with an outsider, for example, the accounting department handling payments for a supplier.
c) Conflict With the Environment
External conflicts arise between a business and its competitor or business and their landlord, or between companies and their neighbors, who could be other businesses or residents in homes or apartment blocks.
You need a quick, effective, and peaceful resolution in conflict situations. The tension in conflict situations is high. Further, the risk of property damage, injuries, financial losses, closure of business, and potential lawsuits aggravates the crisis. The parties in the above situations are likely highly irritable and irrational.
Police officers have experience in handling high-pressure situations. They could guide or be part of the team managing the conflict to help address it amicably.
Ideal for Escorting Courier Service Drivers
Courier services transport valuables. The potential losses are significant should a robbery occur. Further, robbery attempts on the highly-valuable cargo are violent. Robbers come with explosive materials, guns, and other weapons since it is known that courier services employ extensive protective measures.
Having police officers as part of the courier team is an added advantage. The officers are well trained in helping prevent the loss of your employees’ lives and cargo loss.
A Police Officer’s Skills-set
Officers are in demand because of the particular skills-sets most private guards lack. Some of the quality includes:
- Problem-solving skills.
- Critical thinking.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Devotion to the community.
All these skills help improve your business's overall safety and smooth running. The officers will resolve issues with minimal drama and disruption of the workflow.
Further, discipline and moral standing are fundamental values police officers treasure. You are thus sure that the officers will uphold these values at your workplace.
Knowledge of Security Technology
Your security detail should remain up to date with the latest security technology. Police departments invest heavily in equipping officers with the training, knowledge, and understanding of changing security technology. Private security companies could find this investment significant enough to affect their bottom line. Thus, the companies could decide that there is no value to be generated for their bottom by choosing to train and equip their security guards.
Hiring off-duty officers allows you to access insider information about the changing security technology. You can then upgrade your security based on an officer’s recommendations.
Crowd Management Skills for VIP Protection
Effective bodyguards need to ensure the safety and security of their clients. Security and safety extend to the peace of mind clients must enjoy when accessing various areas. The large crowds that gather to catch a glimpse or interact with their favorite VIP are of concern in the social-media era. You need an individual well equipped to manage crowds without incident.
A police officer can guarantee you this. They are trained to handle crowds in high-pressure, highly stressful situations. Handling paparazzi and fans will be an easier task.
Additionally, by partnering with their colleagues, the officers will conduct a security assessment before your arrival as part of the security package to better manage the situation.
Better Investigative Skills
Business owners or individuals who have sought private investigators to unearth wrongdoings in their companies or find out the truth about personal matters agree that police officers are better hires. Officers understand investigations and surveillance better than security guards. You are sure to have an investigation professionally conducted without raising suspicion.
Access to the Latest Security Threats
There is a need to protect yourself and your business from the growing cyber security threats. On your own, you could lack the resources or the knowledge of the cyber security threats you are exposed to. Private security guards could also be limited in understanding current cyber security concerns.
Officers handle different cases while discharging their duties. Officers access the dark web and crime-discussion chat rooms to better understand the latest threats, sources, and potential targets while investigating some crimes. This helps them formulate effective strategies to deal with the offenses.
When you hire police officers, they will analyze your business and inform you of potential vulnerabilities based on the current threats. This information is useful when developing your company’s cyber security strategies.
Contact a Security Expert Near Me
Security is paramount for a business to thrive. You need to secure your premises and systems from internal and external threats, failure to which you expose your business to potential crimes and losses. Hiring an off-duty police officer is a critical step in addressing these concerns.
Further, the benefits of hiring off-duty police officers are not limited to businesses. Individuals get to enjoy some of the benefits above.
Green Knight Security offers security solutions for companies and individuals. We have served the Los Angeles community over the years offering private security services for events, businesses, and individuals. We hope to serve you too. Contact our team today at 844-457-8326 for assistance.
