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The
Good
by Norma Rodriguez
Texas Private Security Bureau Investigator
To observe and report.
The definition of a guard company: �A person acts as a guard company for the purposes of this chapter if the person employs an individual � or engages in the business of, or undertakes to provide a private watchman, guard, or street patrol service on a contractual basis for another person to:
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prevent entry, larceny, vandalism, abuse, fire, or trespass on private property;
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prevent, observe, or detect unauthorized activity on private property;
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control, regulate or direct the movement of the public�
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protect an individual from bodily harm� � as addressed in Title 10 Texas Occupations Code Section 1702.108
The security officer is there to be the eyes and ears of the client while making the environment safer through documentation of safety concerns. The officer further acts as a deterrent against crime through their physical presence.
When an event does occur, it is the security officer who will be first on the scene. This makes the guard one of the single most important assets to the victim, the client, and law enforcement. The timely response afforded by his/her presence at the scene enables the guard to intervene and collect information that would otherwise be unavailable to other responders. The guard company also lives or dies by the reputation and quality of the guards they employ. A competent and professional security response speaks volumes to prospective security company clients.
The action the Officer takes at the scene can greatly influence the outcome of an event and, in doing so, save lives and collect information necessary for the successful prosecution of violators.
The following is a true account of a situation handled by a security officer in Texas.
The call for service was made and a contract was initiated. The request was made that the security officers for the event be non-commissioned officers.
The background information provided was that this was an area that has been target for the unlawful use of motor vehicles.
The background on this security officer is that he is a former law enforcement officer and he is the owner of the security company.
When he reported for duty, he was unarmed, as requested by the account manager.
During the evening while on foot patrol he noticed a vehicle entering the parking lot.
The security officer backed into the shadows to observe the activity of the driver of the vehicle. He noticed what appeared to be suspicious behavior by the driver.
The driver drove through the parking lot and then exited his vehicle, with a flashlight in hand. The driver then began to peer into the parked vehicles.
The driver then returned to his vehicle and proceeded to drive through the parking lot.
The security officer who was observing the entire event, noticed that the driver would soon be passing his location, when the driver did so, he was able to write down the license plate number and vehicle description.
At this time, the security officer placed a 911 call to the local police department.
Shortly after making the call, the local police had arrived at the location of the security officer.
The police officer after relaying the information was joined by other officers.
The police were able to locate and arrest the suspect through the information obtained from the security officer.
This event illustrates the proper application of security training and skill sets needed by security officers to fulfill their roles. This security officer�s ability to distinguish between the roles of law enforcement and security made it possible for the suspect to be arrested and charged. By following the rules, the guard even strengthened the prosecutors� case by providing a witness to the act. Had he directly intervened, not only could he have been seriously injured, but could have weakened the case to the point the prosecution might have found the case impossible to win. Witness information of acts in progress is far more incriminating to the suspect than merely being found in the area of a crime. Actions such as this will not only enhance this person�s personal reputation among local authorities, but also the reputation of security officers in general.
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