And you can defend yourself with a weapon, but again most companies don't allow it due to insurance. However I HAVE seen guards allowed to carry batons and pepperspray. I unfortunately get the good ol' 3-cell maglite. If you are lucky enough to be a armored car guard, they are the only ones I know of who get to carry firearms (except bodyguards in certain scenarios)
Been there, done that. All of it. 13 years' worth.
I went into security because I liked guns in a totally gun-unfriendly environment, and because it worked around my school schedule at the time. I will say that it absolutely sucks as a career.
I've done everything from the babysitting to the night watchman to armored car to bodyguarding to watching cameras to patrolling empty parking lots and construction sites.
I've worked "slickbelt" -- no weapons or anything else other than a NON-maglite flashlight, I've worked "everything BUT firearm", I've worked "Full gear" (Firearm and all related duty gear), I've worked in uniform, and I've worked plainclothes.
The novelty wears off after about 6 months.
You have the highest chance of getting killed in armored car. But they generally get cool toys -- be wary of what's issued to you, and remember that a for-profit company may or may not maintain their weapons appropriately. Also, many armored companies do NOT let you use your own firearm and don't allow you to take home your duty weapon regularly. Just FYI. Others are cool with you carrying your own equipment.
The State/Country in which you reside, their laws, and company policy all dictate your rules of engagement. Everything said here in this thread is technically correct, even though it seems contradictory, because of the myriad of factors that come into play when working a nebulously defined line of work such as security.
Several things are the same, however, no matter where you go, I have found.
1) It is an underpaid, poorly-benefitted profession.
2) You will almost always be looked down upon either as a wannabe or a woo-woo by those in "official" law enforcement.
3) You will almost always be inadequately equipped and understaffed to actually handle the situations you will be put in.
You must use your head.
Having an attorney on retainer doesn't hurt, either.
However, being in "The Business" also gives you access to toys you might not otherwise have had access to, even if you're not fully "law enforcement." (in some states, however, you actually ARE).
It behooves you to take advantage of any and all training you can get your hands on, either provided by your company or otherwise. Every single certification you carry in your wallet that is yours (and not your company's) is another bargaining chip for when you move to the next company for a better position and more money. And you WILL change companies, because many times, raises are nonexistent. For many years, the way I got a raise was to go to another company with my credentials and increased experience and got more money per hour that way.
In order to be more than just a rock with a heartbeat, you need to be pretty sharp. Situational awareness is absolutely paramount, which is why Wogs tend to gravitate towards this line of work -- we live and breathe and nearly take for granted the skills that are required to perform adequately -- believe it or not, it's hard for some sheeple to do this work.
Wearing a uniform WILL make you a target...and not just for violence, but for insults and ridicule as well. You need to have a pretty thick skin to do this work and not take things personally or it will eat you up. Expect to go hungry, without sleep, and sustain minor injuries as a matter of course; It behooves you to be prepared for these contingencies.
You will be frustrated by your rules of engagement, your incompetent managment, your silly laws you have to abide by that hogtie your efforts to do well, incompetent co-workers (if you have them, many posts are solo -- remember what I said about being underequipped and outnumbered as a matter of course), a rude and nearly brain-dead public, including getting shat upon by the very people you are trying to protect.
If you choose to stomach this...and it will give you social experience you can't get anywhere else...if you're socially awkward, security will make or break you. Either you'll become one of those mall cop goobers everybody makes fun of, or you'll end up a decent human being who wears the uniform and does the job well.
Wear Body Armor, if you can. For two reasons: 1) Because yes, you ARE a target, and 2) It conditions you to a certain level of constant, low-level discomfort, which will be very useful in the future should things become untenable OUTSIDE of work.
Security lets you get familiar with equipment on the job that you may eventually need to survive in your daily life. As such, I believe all Wogs should do at least a tour of 2 years in the business to figure out what works for you and what doesn't. Along with the mindset of improvise, overcome, adapt (former US Marines and other adaptive military personnel make good security people...not because of the uniform, but because of the ability to adapt to adverse conditions exacerbated by bureaucracy), it will provide you real-world experience in dealing with difficult situations and people.
But never forget...this is real life, real people, and if you screw up badly enough, you could get Real Dead.
With all that...welcome to the business. Galls, Inc. is one of the places I shopped while I was in most of my professions: 1 800 477 7766. They've got the gear you can use, if you can use it. Prices are reasonable for the budget-conscious professional as well as premium for those who can afford it.
There are people in the forums (as you can see) who have been or are in the business. Feel free to ask specific questions, with the understanding beforehand that every location, every company, every JOB is different. Many times, a "what would you do?" or "what DID you do when you had this?" are going to be your best questions. Because one thing about security -- sometimes you just never know where you're going to end up.
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