Security guards fill the gap between what the average citizen can do and what police officers are allowed to do. Guards typically serve in highly visible roles at corporate offices and special events. You may also encounter an undercover security guard while you’re shopping at a major retailer or visiting a location where the property owner prefers guards to blend in with everyone else, such as at a wedding. Understanding what security guards are allowed to do can help you feel more comfortable around them and see how important they are for deterring crime at your property. Below, the experts from Eagle Eye Security, one of the leading San Diego security companies, explain whether security guards can chase people.
Crime Prevention Is a Guard’s Ultimate Goal
If you ask a security guard, he or she will likely tell you he or she prefers that it never gets to the point where it’s necessary to chase someone. Security guards make prevention their priority, since it’s much easier to make sure doors are locked than to have to rush after a suspected criminal. During their rounds, security guards carefully check that areas are secure, and they’re constantly alert for signs of mischief that need investigation.
Observation & Reporting Are Preferable
In many instances, criminals won’t carry through with their plans once they know a security guard is aware of their intentions. For instance, someone might choose to leave a parking lot without breaking into a car there. If someone does follow through with a crime, it’s usually better for the security guard to get as much information as possible to share with local law enforcement officers. Security guards often work closely with local police, and sharing a description of the car thief along with information about the vehicle and the direction the individual is headed is likely to help the police catch the criminal faster than having the guard start a chase.
Guards Weigh the Risk to Public Safety
There may be times when a security guard needs to chase someone, and this usually falls within the guideline of preventing a serious threat to other people in the area. For example, guards may go after an armed suspect who’s running into a crowded convention center. However, guards will also make sure they or someone else is calling for police backup at the same time. As the closest person to the scene, a security guard may have no choice other than to do what he or she can to stop someone from hurting others.
Guards Must Exercise Good Judgment
Technically, a security guard can chase someone and make a private citizen’s arrest or detain the individual until the police arrive. However, this is never the preferred course of action. In some cases, such as with a vehicle theft, chasing a criminal could put others in harm’s way. If a guard does need to chase someone, he or she must also be cautious to only use reasonable force to calm the situation and begin gathering information to help the arriving police officers. During their training, guards learn how to handle different scenarios so they’re able to think on their feet while always prioritizing the public’s safety.
If you’re planning to hire security for your business, it’s important to understand what the guards you hire are legally allowed to do to protect your employees, customers, and property. When they need the finest in security guard services, San Diego business owners rely on the experienced professionals from Eagle Eye Security. Give us a call today at (619) 278-9990.