Research on the Use of Measures and Other Means by Security Guards

Due to the security situation currently prevailing in the world, more and more people are thinking about how to protect themselves from possible attacks, robberies, burglaries, etc. Therefore, more and more people are investing increasing resources in their own security and the security of their own homes, either by purchasing pepper sprays, or by installing alarm systems and cameras in their homes, etc., because the worst thing is when someone robs you of the feeling of security in your own home, where you should feel safest. ** People are generally frightened and do not see a bright future.** Security has become a very important asset for people, which they are willing to pay for, just to have it.

Problem

Due to the security situation currently prevailing in the world, more and more people are thinking about how to protect themselves from possible attacks, robberies, burglaries, etc. Therefore, more and more people are investing increasing resources in their own security and the security of their own homes, either by purchasing pepper sprays, or by installing alarm systems and cameras in their homes, etc., because the worst thing is when someone robs you of the feeling of security in your own home, where you should feel safest. ** People are generally frightened and do not see a bright future.** Security has become a very important asset for people, which they are willing to pay for, just to have it.

Here, of course, alongside state authorities, private security services also come into play.

Solution and Method

Because the police are increasingly less present on the streets, or there are too few police officers to handle all security violations, mutual cooperation between the police and private security services is of extremely great importance. It is very commendable that the cooperation between these two bodies is increasing from year to year, which could also be seen in the graph showing the number of measures implemented by the police under ZZasV-1 from 2011 to 2016, ** from which the number of measures implemented by police officers in the field of private security is evident.** Security personnel are expected to master the performance of security tasks and the implementation of measures, as well as to actually carry out the measures. ** Therefore, it is important to listen to them, take their needs and comments into account, and make changes.** Because only a satisfied worker can be a good worker.

When it comes to private security and security personnel performing security tasks, whether at facilities, public gatherings, in catering establishments, when it comes to cash transport, etc., it is of great importance that security guards have everything that is necessary for the safe, fast and efficient performance of their work tasks. Based on the analysis of the survey conducted, it is evident what changes one part of security guards wishes for. In her opinion, a larger part of employees in this sector wishes for similar changes. We can start from work clothing, protective equipment they need to perform tasks, appropriate vehicles, that they are legally protected when on intervention drives regarding stopping and priority driving with a rotating light, more training, self-defence courses, etc., and finally also what is also very important, that they are appropriately paid, rewarded and stimulated.

Here I can point out that large private security companies play a key role in dictating prices on the market. A low hourly rate represents a poorly paid worker. Given that security guards respond to various alarms at facilities, such as burglar alarms, panic buttons, etc., it would be right for the rules for driving in these emergency cases to be better regulated by law, when every minute counts until arrival at the scene of the incident. ** Similar to cases when paramedics, firefighters and police are on emergency interventions.** Therefore, priority for intervention vehicles of security services on emergency interventions in the above-mentioned cases, exceeding the speed limit if this does not endanger other road users.

It is also very important to enable the stopping of these vehicles whilst they are on emergency intervention in places not intended for this purpose.

Results

In conversations with security guards, she found that they are fined for incorrect parking, for speeding and for violations of road traffic regulations, despite the fact that they perform the primary tasks of the police, which is the protection of people and property. With the pepper spray, where use is permitted only in the event of an attack on the security guard, it seems to the author that the conditions for its use could be extended, as some respondents suggest, namely also in the event of an attack on a protected person or a third person, if the security guard cannot otherwise avert an unlawful attack on the protected or third person and not only on himself.

Because this could be sufficiently effective, more so than any use of a baton, which the vast majority wish for instead of a service dog or the use of firearms. In the case of using a pepper spray, the security guard also has sufficient opportunity to move the protected or third person to safety and try to control the attacker and detain him until the police arrive, provided this does not endanger his own life and the lives of others. When asked whether they have proposals for changes and improvements to work, which mainly related to measures, there were some answers that proposals for changes and improvements had been submitted many times but nobody moves.

Particularly interesting was the answer that they do not even implement the measures they have or they try to use them to the smallest extent possible, because in the end, usually, they themselves are to blame and not the person against whom they implemented the measure or combination of measures. As some respondents state, anyone can complain and in the end the security guard gets punished. The main culprit for such thinking among security guards is the employer, as the employer should legally protect his worker.

Based on the answers she obtained through the survey, I can say that the work of a security guard is very thankless and difficult. At the same time, she came to the conclusion that there is general dissatisfaction among employees in this sector. Either because employers do not listen to them or there are no changes for the better, disrespect for the worker is at the extreme edge of reason, inappropriate and inadequate treatment of the worker, as well as excessively low wages. She also found that the profession of security guard is not sufficiently valued and that the vast majority perform this profession only because they have not found something more suitable or appropriate to their education.

Work in security is still transitional work for most. It is almost impossible to expect from a dissatisfied and unmotivated worker that he will be as effective in performing his work as one who is satisfied. Employers could, for example, create some reward system regarding the difficulty of work and success at work. They could listen more to employees and consult with employees who actually work in the field before introducing changes and know what they need for the efficient performance of work tasks. As long as nobody listens to the "ordinary" worker, we cannot expect major changes, not in private security, nor in other fields.