Growing demand of private security guards

[@ARHZONE]

I work in private security here in Houston, Texas for over 5 years (armed commission SO) and i've worked a number of posts where i've dealt with a number of issues. Had knives pulled on me, gun pulled on me, physical altercations, drugs, drunks...you name it, i've dealt with it. I've worked alongside LEOs in the past and honestly i think we are good where we are at right now. Police cover public areas and security cover private areas. The main benefit of having security (especially armed) is to act as a deterrent for would-be criminals at private properties and help decrease crime all together. Security also helps relieve police of more mundane calls to private areas and frees LEOs to handle more crucial calls in and around the communities. The mantra of many security companies is "Observe and Report" so in the situation a crime is committed, a security guard on staff could at the very least give responding LEOs much needed information and descriptions of the crime/issue that took place and could play a crucial role in further any investigations carried out.

[@williamalexander1863]

Where I'm at its not observe and report. It's enforce.

[@BlackAngus69]

Here in Oregon, we do train for detaining subjects for police to recover. Private sector should definitely work with cops as much as we can. We are on the same side.

[@JamesMartin-x6b]

I'm a D.P.S. Security Officer (rent a cop) and this man's claim that security officers have no arresting power is not true in the state of Texas. As a state licensed Security Officer, I can arrest anyone guilty of committing a felony in my presence. While it's true that there are more restrictions and regulations on Security Officers, it is not true that we cannot make arrests.

[@williamalexander1863]

Well that Chief is incorrect. Security Officers in Texas do have arrest powers. They just can't transport them to jail. On private property Security Officers are hired by the owner for protection of property personnel and people. I work for what would be considered a "private police department". I pull people over and write traffic citations. I do almost the same job as a certified peace officer. But my jurisdiction is a 40 square mile private gated community. I drive a marked patrol unit. Wear an official uniform, carry a G17, Taser, baton, OC spray, (2) sets of handcuffs and body armor. We respond from a neighbor being to loud to homicides. We are dispatched to location and get there to administer first aid or CPR or AED before paramedics or "cops" get there. And I not a "cop" in my own in my own right?

[@Dan.50]

Security officers need to be considered "emergency personnel" and should have arrest powers while on duty.

[@bigran1114]

Some actually do. Federal security contractors can make arrests

[@nehemiahjackson]

THEY DO A MUCH BETTER JOB! ALL IT TAKES IS MAKING SURE THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY AND STAY WITHIN THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND THE LAW AND IT WORKS PERFECTLY. JOB WELL DONE.

[@michaellabarbera4631]

I’m a security officer in the Chicagoland area. Yes, Chicago. We’ve got a lot of problems out here with guns knives, violence etc in my nine years of security I found only about 20% of the security officers that were good they had common sense the other 80% were horrible so until that improves I think you need to leave it how it is.

[@jaypitts3100]

Salute bro I know the feeling of patrolling some parts of bucktown I see it on CNN and on here

[@professorchaos5212]

Pay has to improve for that to happen.

[@giovannibucio]

we need more power as Security Officers and recodnized as first responders it would be a better safer lower crime rate.

[@swallowedinthesea11]

I hired one of the greatest, if not the best, private security - Diamond Dogs!

[@iCANT_BELIEVE_YOU_SAID_THAT]

A weapon that surpases Metal Gear.

[@robertortiz8540]

Constable H.Smith forgot to mention that the law gives owners the option to hire a retired or active law enforcement officer or an armed security officer. The reason private businesses prefer to hire retired officers or armed security officers is that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement has no Constitutional duty to protect you and that you are responsible for your safety and that a gun on your hip is more effective than a cop on the phone. In an emergency situation, you are your own First Responder.

[@robertortiz8540]

@chrismadison305, It doesn't matter since the Police cannot be everywhere at the same time you are your own first responder.

[@Apogge_kings]

We hired police to work off and on duty for our community. Private security cannot make traffic stops.

[@kelvinvaughn2615]

I work for Private security here in Texas I work for AUS and I have the arresting power I carry taser and cuffs every day

[@ericcastle9416]

If we're going to pay private security why should we pay taxes for police anymore?

[@MrBaskins2010]

See “Handmaid’s Tale” for more info

[@williamalexander1863]

Because private police officers aren't coming to save you.

[@FF-xw8gs]

​@@williamalexander1863If this is the case, it would be enough for private security companies to offer physical and property protection services in full, practically assuming the functions that the police would have for me. Therefore, there would be no more reason for people who chose this to pay the state police, as the company I hired will "save" me.

[@PWRX-bp9hx]

I work armed security patrol we are the first responders we need to work closer with law enforcement

[@henrysantos121]

This is absolutely amazing news, no doubt with that,

[@integrated46]

Give them arresting powers, and commissions. Then they are basically Law Enforcement Officers.. I think that would be a great idea being Law Enforcement is so short of Officers in this Country. Let's work together

[@mikalerow2188]

Absolutely not. The barrier of entry for private security is much lower than that of official LEOs. Anyone can be security, not anyone can be a cop.

[@integrated46]

As a LEO myself, I agree. But it will be a great asset to us

[@christiang8859]

I work as a Security Officer at a Hospital I have detained an individual for criminal trespassing and criminal damage to the facility that I work as PD Officers came got a report from me and took the individual to jail. Now what I think it's important is there needs to be arresting powers and detaining individuals if Security is doing a investigation of a crime or incident on the property of where there contracted to provide security services. The way it should only work if the security officer is in company uniform and on duty at the time of arresting or detaining of such individual as of right now the only power most security have is citizens arrest power that's if a crime has already happened but if you're Investigating such individual on property that you're contracted on they can leave any moment and by the time you're done investigating suspicious activity it could be too late to take custody of the individual then it ties up law enforcement more because now there looking for the such Individual for crime that has happened on property. So I think the law need to change a bit to give private security a little bit more authority but only with the proper licensing and training of the laws by certified state instructors and make 2 different categories under security. Commissioned Security Officers and Non-Comissioned Security Guards, a Security Officer should have the authority to make an arrest and detain for investigation purposes or crime has been committed, a Security Guard shouldn't have arrest authority because you should go through proper training and get certified.

[@mainely8007]

Okay let's start with ending qualified immunity.

[@mainely8007]

@@mikalerow2188 yeah but we're not talking about hiring somebody to ride around the mall parking lot in a golf cart so we can up the standards and requirements.

[@bjfrank6345]

This is a great article. However there is some misinformation. Private security in Texas come under the citizens arrest statue. Texas code of criminal procedure 14.01 gives private citizens arrest authority. However I do agree with the fact that much more training should be done before private security is put out there and a much better screening process us done before hiring us done alone with certain companies NOT being allowed to operate as they do. And before you start tearing me apart; I am a qualified expert in private security in Texas

[@yooh577]

And the people that can't afford them?????????

[@juanizyruiz8089]

In California we have to take a exam first to get our Power To Arrest Certificate if you do pass them your are eligible to apply for a Guard Card

[@Don-mi6zl]

Think of private security as a police pfficer without the revenue whoring but with accpuntanility.

[@mainely8007]

The upside is there will be no qualified immunity for them.

[@kinstonnelson9172]

If you look at DC law in the state of Virginia in law, Armed private security or special police officers, do you have arrests Authority on the property that they work on?

[@redlionesv]

Dc and Virginia security operate under different laws but yes Armed officers in Virginia Special conservators of the peace in Virginia And special police officers in dc all have arrest authority on their site Whether it is applied is a different story

[@Kwameking1]

Thank you Sir.

[@Tom-qp6oh]

At least Security Officers don't have qualified immunity, and they actually have an incentive not to abuse people. Police are like Made Men or the Kings Men, and they don't feel the laws apply to them.

[@mainely8007]

You nailed it. We are at this point because citizens are tired of being bullied and are actually more afraid of the police at times than they are criminals.

[@Northeastbaseball]

You are aware that QI doesn't extend to just Police officers, right??

[@tylerlawlerDEVGRU]

Stazione25 security is epic! Love my home!

[@TheSatanel]

Boycott FOX.

[@AlonzaStewart]

Here are six places where the private sector have close to, if not the same, authority as law enforcement. ¹) Kansas City, MO - Private Officer ²) Saint Louis, MO - Private Security ³) Washington DC - Special Police ⁴) Virginia - Special Conservator Of The Peace ⁵) North Carolina - Company Police ⁶) South Carolina - Private Security All have at least the same arrest authority as law enforcement.

[@Northeastbaseball]

Boston-Special Police Officer Massachusetts-Special State Police Officer

[@slender169101]

Another one is tribal security, on the reservations security can exercise arrest and investigative authority over the reservation and enterprises (casinos, race tracks ect)

[@marissa._]

This is a bad idea. Anyone can dress up, impersonate and moonlight as a "private security guard" when they're not. Plus, private security guards don't have any power to arrest, just subdue.

[@teoncorbett1329]

Anyone can dress like a police officer too nowadays which both is illegal

[@NenskiTrill]

Private security is for pulling the trigger and eliminating or preventing a threat. No need to arrest anyone

[@jesseleblanc1199]

Did you ever hear of a citizens arrest

[@teoncorbett1329]

@@twofeathers2023 exactly

[@thomasgreene4709]

It's against the law to work as an armed guard without a license.

[@user-iv1yi6cz7o]

I AM A SECURITY OFFICER MY UNIFORMS ARE DONE BY THE CLEANERS. I AM A WOMAN I HAVE MY LONG HAIR AT ALL TIMES AT WORK UP OFF MY COLLAR, AT WORK 1 HOUR EARLY. I TAKE MY JOB SERIOUS TRAINED BY G4S AND GOD. I AM A CHRISTIAN..THEY NEED TO GET THE STANDARDS BACK UP WITH THE WORKERS AND PAY MORE. IF YOU CARE PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT YOU GET PAID GIVE 💯..YOU WILL BE BLESSED..

[@mainely8007]

One upside to this is they won't have this ridiculous qualified immunity garbage protecting them from consequences. It also means they can be sued as individuals for misconduct which is exactly how it is for any other human being.

[@agentepolaris4914]

What exactly is a misconduct to you?

[@jehehdjdjdjdjdj9772]

i protect my self from anybody who cares about security gaurds , the people u have to worry about are the bl🦍cks... other then that yr ok

[@haileymaya2030]

Your constable is completely wrong if you Look at the law enforcement community. The majority of law enforcement officers couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. There are more civilian trainers There are experts in firearms, redemption and more law enforcement community refuses to admit that.

[@haileymaya2030]

FYI security personnel have More leeway. in taking specialized training, then law enforcement officers. Because a lot of law enforcement agencies refuse to give their law enforcement officers training and their constantly violating their own training. Why you think the average citizen takes training all the time? The law binding citizen has more common sense in weapons retention than law enforcement officers. When it comes to civilian, trained security officers.

[@kombatpapi7738]

The old officers don’t know what he talking about 😂😂😂. Shut up

[@sonofgp]

Only thing they protecting and serving is hot doughnuts 🍩 😂😂😂

[@monikasturm2575]

Not sure how it helps at clubs when there have been many shootings at clubs around the area even one that 3 sworn in off duty officers were shot by an 18yr old.

[@Secure_It_T]

Probably didn’t check everyone coming into the facility.

[@dlt215]

Cops dress like the military 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rogerreagan3536]

Just hire some mercenaries....😅😅

[@dannyrivera7963]

Well first of all let's stop all of this nonsense and see that police departments across the country are in dire need of officers you just said there are more security officers than Police officer's. First I would hire the armed security officer first they more training in fire arms safety and deadly force than the unarmed security and work my down after that with procedures and laws etc. These cities are out of control with these left minded policies that go against policing. Something has to give because their policies are not working.

[@sanhxhebsbbb1048]

Amen for private security

[@Mafiaagg742]

Anyone need pvt security contact me

[@roadkillgravy5168]

I need an escort for my twins.