It’s a significant decision to hire off-duty cops as security guards. You want to make sure you obtain the correct person for the job, whether you need a security guard for a retail store or a professional to safeguard an individual.
Before you hire the first close protection police officer you come across, think about the caliber of the people who will be defending your business or yourself.
Off-duty police officers have the following advantages:
Cornerstone Protection believes that genuine police officers provide the greatest security. That is why, in Kentucky, we provide superior off-duty police services to businesses and people. Off-duty cops can provide you with services such as:
- Guards for shop establishments
- Patrols on foot and in vehicles
- Event safety
- Executive protection
- Traffic management
- Industrial security is important.
- Financial institution security
- Construction projects are protected.
- Escorts from security
There is no substitute for employing Law Enforcement pros if you do not want to take any chances with your safety issues. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of hiring police officers for business security and safety.
Why is it usually preferable to hire an off-duty police officer over a security guard?
1. Improved Training
Most security guards’ training will pale in comparison to that of professional law enforcement agents. Surety guards are sometimes given very little training before going out into the field. Even when compared to security guards with more comprehensive training, it falls short of law enforcement experts’ expectations.
Before they are allowed to wear a badge, police officers must complete extensive training, which they continue throughout their careers. Furthermore, police officers put their training to use every day on the job. They must implement what they have learned from the beginning, and they must frequently examine their judgments to verify that they are fulfilling their department’s requirements.
2. Law Enforcement Background
Law enforcement professionals have a huge advantage over conventional defense guards due to their superior training, but there is no substitute for actual law enforcement expertise. Every time they are on duty, these experts must go out to protect and serve. They must detect crimes in real-world scenarios, interact with the public, and work in a high-pressure workplace.
This is something that cannot be taught. A genuine police officer will have insights into detecting and preventing crime that a typical security guard will not have. They will also have dealt with difficult situations before and will know how to remain calm when things become tense.
3. A Better Legal Understanding
Officers must comprehend the law in order to enforce it. The majority of security guards have a basic awareness of the law and how different rules apply to their professions. This might generate issues for business owners because the security guard may be unaware of what procedures to take in scenarios involving the general public. This may obstruct your efforts to prevent crime, or it may result in your safety infringing on an individual’s rights.
If your security guard does nothing because they don’t know what they’re allowed to do, it might have serious ramifications for your safety. Furthermore, you may be held liable if they work in an inappropriate manner or infringe on someone’s rights. When you hire an off-duty police officer, you get a professional who knows what he or she is allowed to do and has the training to apply the law in the most appropriate way for the situation.
4. A Police Officer’s Authority
A security guard will have extremely little authority. They can stop and question anyone, and if they have probable cause, they may be able to hold them. While that may appear to be a lot of power, it comes with tight legal requirements that, if not followed exactly, can lead to disaster.
A police officer has the authority of their position whether they are on duty or not. They can make an arrest, unlike a defensive protector. They can also report crimes to enlist the help of other officers.
Furthermore, a police officer will be in a much better position to make decisions about detaining suspects, determining probable cause, and determining how long a person can be held.
5. Enhanced Credibility
Even if the off-duty cops you hire as security guards are competent, they lack the same level of credibility as real cops. Because they know they don’t have the same training or authority as a cop, many criminals don’t take them seriously.
When you hire premium police services, you may have the choice of having them work in their uniforms. A uniformed police officer is a far more effective deterrent than an ordinary security guard. If someone is considering committing a crime, they may reconsider if they see genuine police officers nearby.
6. Improved Emergency Response
Officers are taught how to react in an emergency, which entails more than just responding to possible crimes. You may rest confident that if an emergency occurs, you will have a specialist on the scene. Police officers will be able to maintain their composure and begin taking actions to ensure that the situation is resolved as quickly as feasible.
A police officer will usually be able to receive a faster response from emergency services in addition to their response to the scene. When a safety defender dials 911, he or she must follow the same steps as everyone else. A police officer on the scene can use their radio to transmit a code to get a faster response. They will be able to converse with emergency dispatchers more efficiently even if they do not have their communication.
7. They are capable of more.
Police officers can safeguard you and your business more effectively because of their superior training and expertise. They have more authority than conventional safety guards, as previously stated. This authority allows them to do things that a regular police security guard would be banned from doing.
In addition, their education and expertise have placed them in a variety of settings. They can serve as a posted guard at a business’s entry, conduct loss prevention activities, patrol buildings and parking lots, and direct traffic and handle huge crowds. If there is any safety work that has to be done, you can trust police officers.
8. Improved Security
The main line is that hiring an off-duty police officer will give better protection in a variety of situations. They have the expertise, experience, and authority to give a level of protection that cannot be provided by a security guard alone.
They can also help defend your company’s brand and prevent you from legal liability. A badly trained defensive guard may make a mistake that reflects negatively on your company. In the worst-case situation, they may cause injury or violate someone’s rights. When this happens, it not only hurts your reputation, but it also puts you at risk of being sued.
Final Thoughts
While similar difficulties could develop if a security person is working off-duty, they are considerably less likely. They are law enforcement officers who understand how to deal with people in that role. They also understand how to apply the law while maintaining individual rights. You get the best in crime prevention and protection with Superior cops for protection, which includes the professionalism of a genuine police officer.
