According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,057,100 security guards in the U.S. as of May 2021. Security guards help protect individuals, properties, and information. Security professionals can specialize in different fields — though they all have a common goal, to preserve and protect. Here are three types of security guards and what each type does.
1. Government Contract Security Guards
As the name suggests, government contract security guards are contracted by the U.S. government. They are very highly trained professionals and are usually armed. You can expect to find these guards protecting government property, such as courthouses and postal service offices.
They are also tasked with guarding government personnel. Besides the standard requirements in the security sector, government contract security guards must have a criminal record to get hired.
2. Proprietary Security Guards
These security guards work directly under the company that needs their services — there is no contracting agency involved. Therefore, they report directly to the company, abiding by its terms of work.
Consequently, you can find proprietary security guards in virtually any industry — on-site or on the road. Some of the places you can expect to see these in-house security guards include:
- Museums
- Nightclubs
- Cruise ships
- Banks
- Residential properties
- Warehouses
Since proprietary security guards operate as internal staff, it’s easier for the company’s directors to control their operations and solve disputes. The only drawback is that the business owners might not be well-versed with security procedures, so they might not know what to look out for during the hiring process. The human resources department is also tasked with handling each guard’s payroll processes and task information.
3. Private-Contract Security Guards
Private-contract security guards are the most popular type. Unlike proprietary security guards, these are contracted by private security agencies. Companies and businesses hire the agency, so the security guards operate as external employees. Notably, there are several private security guard options, as we have outlined below:
Armed Security Officers
Armed guards are authorized to carry guns — some can even carry other potentially lethal weapons. Therefore, they may step in on high threat levels, like violent situations. You’ll find that most guards under this category are ex-military or law enforcement officers. Their experience with handling weapons makes them a perfect match for this job. Due to the nature of their work, their hiring requirements are so strict. They need to complete a state-mandated firearms certification and additional security training.
Unarmed Security Officers
Unarmed guards don’t have guns. They work in low-threat environments handling tasks such as surveillance, policy enforcement, and entry control.
Off-Duty Police
These guards are employed to serve in states, cities, and municipalities. Their main job is maintaining security and traffic flow at events, such as local festivals. Therefore, you can find them at places such as arenas, theaters, and parks.
Dignitary and Executive Protection Officers
These guards are tasked with protecting one person. They are usually armed and highly trained. Usually, they protect high-profile individuals, such as politicians and celebrities.
Remote Video Surveillance Agents
As the name suggests, these agents monitor security camera footage with outstanding detail. They have a deep understanding of the site layout, and should they notice something is amiss, they report it to relevant authorities.
Hire Professional Security Guards You Can Trust
We hope we have satisfactorily answered the question, “what are the types of security guards?” That will help you understand which category of guards you need. At Mohave Security, we pride ourselves in providing different types of security guards to meet your needs. Give us a call today for inquiries or to book our services.