Armed Security Guards in San Francisco: Skills and Ethics
The security industry is more about compliance and less about security.
The key is to know what is legal and acceptable because you might end up in one of these situations in absence of armed security guards in San Francisco:
- Losing valuable customers;
- Engaging in expensive lawsuits; and
- Ruined company’s reputation.
Compliance with legal formalities can get messy. The rules applicable to armed security guards in San Francisco are very different from other states.
Importance of Armed Security Guard Services
The total number of security officers in the US alone would be in the millions, almost twice the count of police officials. In San Francisco, security guards are known as “First Responders”.
They are trained to respond to a 911 emergency within 7.5 minutes, which could be the difference between a good or bad outcome in a life threatening situation. You will be shocked to know that only 10% of security officers carry weapons.
This number is rising every year
Today, schools, corporates and high profile celebrities are hiring armed security guards to ensure their protection. Having a well-trained security guard with a weapon can make all the difference between life and death.
National Standards for armed security guards are yet to be updated
There are no national standards implemented for armed security officers. With a minimum of an hour’s requirement given for weapons training, there are no other rules required for the filing process. There’s a thin line between being first responders and law enforcement officers. Knowing what is legal for armed security guards is what makes all the difference.
The difference between black and white is a grey area
Armed security officers are not allowed to make arrests in the same way police officials can. While they are working, confusion lies when making decisions, such as:
- When to act; and
- How to act when armed.
Accidents and lawsuits
Make sure the armed security officers you hire are well-trained about the relevant laws. One single mistake can put your company at stake from the risk of lawsuits, such as the use of physical force which may lead to unavoidable situations. Armed security guards enjoy less protection and legal powers. Therefore, they may have to step over the line when using excessive force in combat situations.