Monitoring and Inspection
As preventative measures, a security officer may monitor surveillance feed, check credentials for access control, inspect bags, or restrict access to authorized personnel. The officer may play a specific role in a security plan, such as opening and closing a building for the day, watching for shoplifters, or patrolling the grounds. Security officers can focus on providing monitoring services so property managers and employees can concentrate on their jobs.
Security officers bring the human element of judgment to a comprehensive security plan that encompasses both preventive and proactive security. In proactive security, the officer inspects and monitors the premises to report any problems and serves as a visual deterrent, indicating that a guard is on duty.
The officer can address situations before they lead to criminal activity, such as breaking up loitering groups, ensuring doors are locked, checking surveillance camera angles and performing access control duties. The watchful eyes of an officer can raise the odds of being caught beyond what criminals are willing to risk.
The PLOS study indicated random patrol visits are more effective than establishing a routine patrol circuit. Offenders calculate their risks based on the proximity of the security officer, so unpredictability raises the apparent risk to increase deterrence.
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