What It Takes to Be a Professional Security Guard

The constant possibility of threats suggests that professional security guards must have some crucial qualities to handle threats properly.

Apart from being alert at all times and being able to assess situations quickly, working as a professional security guard requires other crucial qualities. Unfortunately, many security companies downplay the process of assessing who they recruit and train as a professional security guard. 

However, at Unparalleled Security, guards are trained by professionals who see that security guards internalize and master the necessary attitudes to be professional security guards.

10 Qualities of a Successful Security Guard

Below are the ten qualities that make a professional security guard: 

1. Preparedness

This entails being appropriately and adequately prepared to deal with any circumstance threatening the person or business being guarded. To be always prepared, security guards should be equipped with vital security gear to enhance a quicker response in dangerous situations. Crucial gears like communication equipment are notable mentions.

2. Honesty 

Businesses hire security guards to protect their most precious assets, such as valuable merchandise, cash, staff, or clients. The business owner needs to trust the guards on duty.

For business owners, dishonest security guards can be a significant concern. Businesses will pay considerably more than just their peace of mind if a guard utilizes their position to steal stuff from their clients. 

A guard who permits unauthorized people onto a property threatens the business with many crimes and liabilities. While on duty, an honest security guard will always act honestly and put their client's best interests first.

3. Quick Reflexes

Being a security guard necessitates constant vigilance and the ability to appraise what is happening around you. The speed at which you can react to a potentially harmful situation should represent your alertness. An armed or unarmed professional security guard must rapidly assess every situation to choose the best action.

4. Reliability 

A professional security guard is someone who can be trusted to do their job well. They will show up on time and work diligently during their shift. After all, security is only successful if the guard is present, aware, and ready to deal with any security threat.

5. Good Communication Skills

Being a security guard entails much more than just protecting people and property. A security guard should be able to interact with public members, some of whom are law-abiding individuals and others who may have criminal intentions. 

A good security guard should converse effectively with people from all walks of life. They'll be able to talk respectfully but authoritatively to ensure that rules are followed and that individuals are kept safe.

In the aftermath of a security event, a good security guard must be able to clearly communicate with their superiors, the customer, and law authorities. They may also be entrusted with producing detailed incident reports or giving a clear police statement.

6. Ability to Think Fast

In an emergency, an effective security guard is attentive, prepared, and able to think swiftly. The best security guards can assess a situation quickly and identify the best course of action to de-escalate it and keep people safe.

7. Leadership and Teamwork 

It takes a team to provide adequate security. Even though many security guards appear to operate alone, they are frequently part of a security team. This group comprises fellow security guards, clients, and law enforcement officers. 

So, a professional security guard must be able to function effectively within a security team.

8. Be Physically Fit

If you need to pursue someone on foot, the last thing you Want to do is lose them because you're unable to effectively catch and detain them. Being a security guard requires physical demands that go above and beyond normal job functions, so it's important that you exercise on a regular basis and do everything you can to stay healthy.

9. Strong Organization Skills

While organization might not be the first word that comes up when you're thinking about security guards, it's important because you're going to need to document when things happen. If you need to file a written report or any activities that took place while you were on duty, organization is critical because you might have to do specific tasks, including:

• Looking for special documentation for certain authorized individuals

• Filing reports for incidents

• Looking at previous reports as reference points

10. Be Comfortable with Surveillance Tech

Surveillance is changing, and the more advanced tech comes out, the more options there are for monitoring environments. As a security guard, you will have to monitor spaces in settings like camera stations, sitting at a front desk, or just watching people interact in crowds.

Being up to date on t surveillance systems can help you pay extra attention to small details to let you notice if there's unusual activity and help you more easily identify situations that could be potentially threatening or hostile.

Your Twin Cities Professional Security Guards

Being on top of every security situation should be among your top priorities. From commercial security to executive security, hotel security, and other security services, the security professionals at Unparalleled Security have what it takes to handle your security needs.

If you have questions about private security or other security concerns, you can book an appointment with our security guard experts through our online contact form or get in touch with us today at 651-300-1515.