Public Expectations of Security Personnel
- The general public has hidden expectations of security personnel during a situation, such as responding to a medical emergency or stopping a crime, even if they are not trained or equipped to do so 00:42.
- In a construction site setting, the expectation of security personnel is lower, with people expecting them to only contact authorities in case of an emergency 04:36.
- The presence of a badge or uniform can create unrealistic expectations from the public, with some people not distinguishing between a security officer and a police officer 07:00.
- Armed security guards have even higher expectations from the public, with people expecting them to take action in a situation like a shooting, even if it’s not their responsibility 07:55.
- The expectations of armed security guards can be conflicting, with some people expecting them to protect their family while others expect them to go and stop the shooter 09:23.
Expectations of Armed Security Guards
- School security personnel should be armed and trained to respond to active shooter situations, rather than just being present as a body to walk around campus 11:54.
- Having multiple armed security officers on campus can provide an added layer of safety, as they can respond quickly and work together with police officers 13:17.
- Police officers may have concerns about working with armed security officers, such as worrying about them getting in the way or causing extra situations 13:40.
- School security personnel should be trained to the same level as police officers, which would require time and money 14:56.
Expectations and Responsibilities of Police Officers
- There is a hidden expectation that police officers will respond to all situations, even if they are not trained to do so, such as water rescues 18:01.
- Police officers and security personnel should be easily identifiable, such as by wearing uniforms or badges, to avoid confusion during emergency situations 16:10.
- Many cities have insufficient law enforcement staff, with some having only 20 officers on duty between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., highlighting the need for security to take a more active role in handling situations 21:11.
- A well-trained security force could handle certain calls, reducing the burden on law enforcement, and having multiple responders would be beneficial to society 22:02.
Authority and Liability of Security Officers
- Security officers have limited authority compared to law enforcement, but their liability can depend on the contract company and their willingness to take on responsibility 24:01.
- School security officers have more authority than people think, such as being able to access student lockers without probable cause, but this can also lead to liability issues 25:54.
- The security field has a history of being a respectable industry, with companies like Pinkerton security, which started by taking care of the president and railroads, but now many people think security can’t do anything 27:44.
- Security officers can enforce laws on private property, but it depends on the client and company’s willingness to take on liability, and they should receive proper training and compensation for their role 28:37.
- Some security officers may not want to be armed due to liability concerns, even if they have previous experience as patrol officers, highlighting the complexity of the issue 29:37.
Public Perception and Expectations
- People have high expectations of security personnel, expecting them to handle situations like an active shooter, even if they are unarmed 31:06.
- The public’s perception of security officers is often influenced by social media, where people may root for the person committing a crime and criticize the security officer 32:01.
- Even staff members who know security officers personally may have high expectations of them, expecting them to assist in situations like an active shooter scenario 35:20.
- In situations like a lockdown, people expect security officers to protect them and prevent the perpetrator from entering the building 36:01.
Preparedness and Response Strategies
- Having a trained and assigned group of people responsible for security is more useful than just anticipating how long it will take for police to arrive 37:59.
- Liability is a concern for volunteer security forces, and it’s essential for organizations to cover them in case something happens 38:32.
- The type of church also affects expectations, with smaller churches having a higher expectation of protection from their volunteer security force 39:47.
Response Time Expectations and Security Appreciation
- Responding officers may want more guns to mitigate the number of wounded personnel during a violent encounter, but the shooter will always be ahead in the first 3-5 minutes 41:07.
- The expectation of a quick response from security or police officers, such as within 30 seconds after dialing 911, is unrealistic 42:16.
- The hidden expectation of security personnel is high, and appreciation is given to armed and unarmed security officers who work to meet this expectation 42:41.
