Patrolling

Patrolling

What is the purpose of a patrol?

Security guards are hired to protect people, property and information.

A uniformed guard will help to deter crime just by being in an area. When you do a patrol

you widen the area that you are protecting.

Types of Patrolling

1-Detailed Round

2-Subsequent round

3-Outer Round

4-Special Round

Purpose of a Patrol

• Detect hazards and emergencies

 • Help employees

• Check for damage or equipment that is not working properly

• Detect crimes

• Protect confidential information

• Improve community relations

Preparing for a Patrol

• Study post orders

• Talk to other guards

• Know your site

• Check your equipment

• Develop a plan

Observing

• Use your senses actively

• Make meaning from the information you get through your senses

• Improve your memory by focusing, associating and repeating information

Keeping Safe

• Never approach a suspect alone

• Use your flashlight effectively

• Use caution with windows and glass doors

• Use the shadows

• Be quiet

• Don’t smoke

• Watch where you walk

• Ask questions

Patrolling

• Know when to be seen

• Take your time

• Patrol the exterior

• Look for anything unusual

• Use your notebook

• Get to know people

• Avoid routines

• Be careful to notice everything on your first patrol

• Use all your powers of observation Keeping Safe

The purpose of a patrol may be to:

• Detect hazards

√ housekeeping hazards, such as piled up garbage or recycling items

√ maintenance hazards, such as leaks, burnt out lights, electrical cords left across walkways

√ equipment that has been left on when it is supposed to be turned off, such as

coffee pots. You should always check when you are trained to see what the

guards can and cannot turn off. As a general rule, computers and copy

machines are not touched by security.

√ safety hazards, such as sparking electrical wires,

overheated boilers, ice on walkways. Also look

for equipment not being used properly such as hanging items off sprinkler

heads or using a fire extinguisher to prop a door open.

• Detect emergencies, such as fires and floods

• Help employees by keeping the site safe, reporting injuries, giving first aid or

escorting them if they feel unsafe

• Detect people committing crimes, such as vandalism, break and entry, shoplifting,

theft, assault

• Report equipment or machinery that is not working properly, such as heating and

refrigeration units

• Check for damage to property

• Protect confidential information by making sure only authorized people are in

controlled areas

• Improve community relations by giving help and information to the public, such as

in a shopping mall

What should I do to prepare for a patrol?

You must be both mentally and physically prepared for every patrol. If you have been

working at the same site for a long time you may be tempted to relax and not be as alert as

possible. If you miss a danger signal, the consequences can be very serious.

 To prepare
for each patrol you must do the following:

1. Study your post orders – They will be specific to your site and should give you clear

orders about what you are expected to do. They contain important information such as

the purpose of the patrol, routes, timings, major check points, what to do in an

emergency, reporting procedures, and areas that may have safety risks and precautions.

Your site supervisor or guards on the shift before yours should tell you about any

changes to your post orders. Talk to your supervisor if your post orders are not correct

or need to be changed.

2. Talk to other guards – Arrive 15 minutes early to get information and special

instructions from anyone who has worked the previous shift. Find out if anything has

changed since your last shift, and who is authorised to be on the site. Read the regular

occurrence and incident reports from the proceeding shift and from the shifts that may

have occurred when you were off (regular days off or extended period of time)

.

3. Know your site – Study the layout of the buildings and grounds including any maps or

diagrams. If you work night shift, try to visit the site in the daytime so you know what

areas could be hazardous in the dark. Draw a diagram to test how well you know the

site. This can also help you to remember key areas and the location of special

equipment. When you are trained, ask for a tour of the whole site not just the parts that

you will be in on a regular basis. A guard needs to be aware of what goes on for the

whole property.

For everyone’s safety, know exactly where the following are:

• Telephones (including pay phones) and communications equipment. Know

where the power failure phones are on your site. If you use a portable radio

or cell phone, know any areas where these devices do not work.

• All fire fighting equipment, including hose stations, extinguishers, hydrants,

and sprinkler valves and their supply pipes. Also look for signs that these

aren’t working properly.

• Fire alarm boxes, fire doors, fire escapes and fire walls. Know any areas that

would have special fire suppression systems and chemicals used in those

systems.

• “High risk” areas such as pay offices, cash registers, safes, computer rooms,

labs, storage areas for valuables or expensive equipment

• Exterior doors and gates

• All stairways – evacuation routes

• Utility control rooms and shut-off switches

• Back-up power units

• Light switches and emergency lighting panels

• Pipes carrying gas, steam, acid, wastes

• Storage areas for flammable and / or hazardous materials including gases,

acids, explosives or poisons

• Any dangerous machinery

• First aid and medical facilities

• “Dead zones” where your phone or radio may not work

• Restricted areas where phones and radios are not allowed, such as in parts of

a hospital.

4. Check your vehicle if you are on mobile patrol – You should do a complete

inspection of the patrol vehicle before you use it. Fill out a Vehicle Inspection Log

such as the one on page 17. Make sure the fluid levels are full, your patrol vehicle is in

good working condition, and your communication equipment is working well. You

should know your patrol area well enough to drive confidently, especially during

emergencies. Know all the roads, driveways, and emergency vehicle access routes in

your patrol area.

5. Check your equipment – You may not be able to return to your office for supplies

once your patrol starts. Make a checklist that you can use before every shift. It should

include the following:

• uniform – including comfortable shoes and proper clothing for the weather

conditions

• identification card

• radio / pager – in good working order and charged before you head out. If

possible you should carry spare batteries.

• emergency numbers

• flashlight – spare bulbs and batteries

• notebook and 2 pens

• map or checklist of areas or stations which must be patrolled

• watch – to record exact time of incidents

• keys and access cards if required.

• safety equipment such as goggles, hard hat, steel toed boots, if required

• special instructions

6. Develop a plan – Make a list of activities that need to be done on each specific patrol. Plan

your route, including a map of major checkpoints, windows, doors, stairways, and high traffic

areas. Plan a different route in case of an emergency such as a fire, explosion or chemical leak.

If you develop a plan before each patrol you can vary the route and timing, so that it is not too

 predictable.

If you are patrolling in a vehicle your post orders will also outline areas or sites that you

must patrol, but you may be able to choose the order in which you visit them. As with

a foot patrol, vary the times and routes when possible, so that criminals can’t be sure of

your movement. Watch for hazards that could affect your driving and be extra careful

in poor weather conditions. The path that is clear and easy going in summer will

probably not be that way in the middle of winter so allow extra time to do the whole

patrol and do it safely—rushing could be dangerous. Also, you could miss things if you

are in hurry.

How do I patrol effectively?

1. Know when to be seen – Criminals are less likely to target an area anytime a

security guard is clearly visible. During the daytime you will want people to see

you as a deterrent. At night you will need to decide what is best for your

situation. Should you use the cover of darkness to observe, or is it better to be

seen so that you don’t surprise an intruder? Remember, you must be safe to be

effective. See the next section, How do I patrol safely? for more information.

2. Take your time – You will notice more if you walk at a slow, steady pace and

look all around you. Stop from time to time to listen.

3. Patrol the exterior – Begin your patrol at the perimeter of the property and work

your way toward any buildings. Check fences, gates and lights. Look for signs of

digging under fences or anything that can be climbed on, such as ladders, trees, or

vehicles parked close to a fence. Make sure that there are no signs of forced entry

into a building. Don’t just look at locks and windows. Try to open them gently to

see that they are secure. This will help you to know if an intruder has been able to

enter the building.

4. Patrol the interior – When the outside of the building is secure, quietly enter it.

At night move away from the lighted entrance. Listen for any unusual sounds. If

you don’t hear anything, turn on the lights and examine each checkpoint outlined

in your post orders. Start at the bottom floor and work your way up. It will be

harder for an intruder to go past you without you knowing.

5. Look for anything unusual – These signs may show that a crime has happened

or is still happening:

• Strange lights, or a usual light not on

• Machinery that is jammed or running when it shouldn’t be

• Pry marks on doors, hinges or windows

• Gas / steam, water / sewer lines that are plugged, broken or leaking

• Broken glass in or near windows

• Wires that are loose or broken

• People in places where they should not be. This includes both staff

and non-staff areas.

• Objects that are out of place

• Obvious signs of a search or disturbance. Open drawers or cabinet

doors that should be closed, or that are supposed to be locked. For

example, a medicine cabinet that is open and no one is using it or in

the room.

• Missing equipment. For example, a site car that is signed in and was

returned but that is not in its parking place.

• Strange noises, breaking glass or sounds of items being moved in a

hurry and not carefully

• Open doors that should be closed

6. Use your notebook – When you see something unusual, make notes as soon as

possible. For example, if you see a strange vehicle, describe it and any occupants

in your notes. Write as many details as possible, including the exact time that you

observed something. If a crime happens, you won’t have to rely on your memory.

This is especially important if you have to testify in court. Have your notebook

with you on patrol or when you are investigating occurrences. You will then be

able to make notes as things happen or as you discover things. Make sure that

you have the right kind of notebook—it should have numbered pages that cannot

be easily removed.

7. Get to know people – You will know which people are authorised to be on the

property. If you have good relationships with these people, they will trust you

with information and let you know about problems. Maintenance people and

cleaners can be very helpful because they know how things should work and

where things should be. Guards on the previous shift will give you valuable

information and instructions. Experienced guards can give you tips about trouble

areas or problem people and how to deal with them.

8. Avoid routines – Criminals are aware of fixed habits and time schedules. Make

sure you vary yours as much as possible while still meeting the requirements of

your post orders. You can change directions (back-track), or mix full patrols with

partial patrols. For example, if a foot patrol takes forty minutes to complete,

break it up into two twenty-minute rounds. Complete the first half, return to the

central starting point, then complete the second half. The next round could be the

full forty minute patrol. Don’t be predictable.

9. Be careful to notice everything on your first patrol – If you notice everything

on your first patrol you can see if anything has changed on your later patrols.

Make sure:

• Everything is locked that should be locked

• All lights and power switches are on or off as required

• Heating and cooling systems are on or off as required

• There are no fire or safety hazards that could cause a problem later

• To note the areas where employees are working. This will be helpful in

case of an emergency. Talk to the workers you meet so they know you are

there if they need help. Getting to know the staff will help you to know

their work patterns. Also, if you have a good relationship with the staff,

they will be more willing to talk to you about changes or concerns.

10. Use all your powers of observation – Do not rely on your sight alone. Study the

principles of observation and rules of memory found later in this section and

practise them on each patrol. Make notes, notes, notes. You cannot remember

everything exactly as it happens. Small short notes can be turned into fuller

reports when your patrol is finished.

How do I patrol safely?

If you are prepared and follow the suggestions for an effective patrol you will be able to

detect problems. Problems can be dangerous to guards, so it is important that you protect

your safety.

Always remember your job is to observe, deter and report. Let this guide you in making

smart choices as you patrol. Here are some general things to remember:

1. Don’t approach a suspect alone – Use a “buddy system” or call for back up.

You may be assigned a partner if you work at a site where there is a high risk of

criminal activity or violence. Make sure you are not both exposed to the risk at

the same time. The second person should be within sight, but safely removed

from the danger. For example, if you are asking a trespasser to leave your site, a

second security could watch from a distance to make sure the person is

cooperating with you. If you see an actual crime in progress, call the police.

2. Watch where you walk – Stay away from slippery surfaces. Go around hazards,

not over or under them. If you check out your patrol area during the day, you will

be more aware of dangerous areas that can’t be seen as well at night.

3. Ask questions – A simple misunderstanding could put your safety at risk. Don’t

be embarrassed to ask for explanations if you don’t understand something.

4. Follow communication instructions – You may be expected to contact your

dispatcher after each patrol or follow other reporting orders, especially if you are

the only guard on the site. These procedures were created for your safety, so

make sure you follow them closely. See Work Alone Plan in Unit 10, Personal

Safety at Work, for more details.

5. Don’t smoke – It will affect your ability to smell odours such as smoke and

tobacco. Also, a lit cigarette is visible at night.

You must take special care when you are patrolling at night. Here are some specific

things to remember:

6. Use your flashlight effectively – Turn off your flashlight when it is not needed.

If you must leave it on while walking, carry it in front of you at arm’s length away

from your body. In this way, if someone attacks you in the area of the light they

will not hit your body. Get in the habit of not holding your flashlight in the hand

that you write with so you can use your dominant hand to operate your radio or do

other things.

7. Use caution with windows and glass doors – Try not to pass directly in front of

them. At night your body will be visible as a silhouette. Don’t be a target. If you

must pass, walk by quickly. Don’t approach a dark window or door and look

inside. Shine your flashlight before approaching and stand to one side when

observing.

8. Be careful entering a dark room – You should not just walk into a dark room,

especially if you are investigating something suspicious. Open the door first by

pushing it all the way open (someone could be behind the door) and shine your

flashlight around the whole room before your enter. Identify yourself as security

and listen for sounds. If you get a bad feeling or something doesn’t look right, do

not enter without back up. Call for back up and then stand back and observe until

back up arrives.

9. Know when to be seen and when to be heard – It is important for you to use

good judgement and common sense when you patrol at night. At many sites you

will want to patrol quietly and walk in the shadows close to buildings. If you are

patrolling in a vehicle, minimise any noise from your engine, brakes and tires, and

don’t slam doors. Generally, you do not want to set yourself up to be a target by

being overly noisy and announcing your presence. If you see anything suspicious

happening, you can stay out of sight, make your observations, and report the

activity.

If you are patrolling alone in an area where you feel uneasy, you may want to

make some sound, such as humming or jingling keys. This will let employees

know that you are around. You would also not want to surprise one or more

criminals in an act, especially if you are blocking their escape route. Making

some noise will alert criminals to your presence and deter them from continuing

with the crime. It will give them the option of fleeing without harm to you. You

can then record any information you have about the events and suspects, and use

it to help the police.

What should I do if I suspect that a crime has been
committed?

Get help. Call the police. It is your job to report and their job to enforce the law. Notify

your dispatcher and use other guards for back up whenever possible. If no other guards

are available as back-up, you should wait for the police whenever possible. In some

situations you may need to help someone before the police arrive. An example of this is

giving someone first aid.

Remember…

your main duties are to observe, deter and report.

Powers of Observation

Security guards are often described as the “eyes and ears” of the client. You are hired to

notice and report anything unusual at the site you are guarding. It is very important for

you to develop strong powers of observation. A great place to practise is on your patrol.

What are powers of observation?

Observation is as a process that includes:

1. Noticing – Becoming aware of something through any of your five senses

2. Interpreting – Organising the information into something meaningful

3. Recalling – Remembering the information and being able to access it when you

need to

Let’s look at this process more closely.

1. Noticing

Have you ever stared at a TV screen, but not really seen what was on it or driven from

point A to point B, but didn’t remember how you got there? Your brain was on

“automatic pilot” and you were probably thinking about something else. Your senses

were giving you information, but you weren’t really paying attention.

As a security guard you must be actively aware of everything that is going on around

you. This is a skill you can develop only with experience and practise. There are some

things you should know about the senses.

Hearing

• Learn to be very familiar with the sounds that you commonly hear at your

site. These include the working sounds of loud machines as well as the

quieter sounds of heating and cooling units. It is also important to be

aware of background noises and what is causing them. If you are near an

airport, a construction area or a busy highway you may have trouble

hearing unusual sounds because of the background noises.

• As you patrol, learn to focus your hearing on any sounds that are out of the

ordinary. These include the starting and stopping of machinery or

equipment, leaking gas, running water, breaking glass, alarms, screams,

arguing, fighting, or voices when there should be none.

• You can increase your hearing if you close your eyes and stand still for a

moment.

• Learn to judge the distance of a sound by how strong the sound is.

• Learn to judge what direction a sound is coming from by noticing if it is

louder in one ear than the other.

Smell

Although the human sense of smell is weak compared to that of many animals, it is still

very strong. We can recognize thousands of different smells, and we are able to detect

tiny amounts of odour.

• You can train yourself to become more sensitive to different odors. As you

patrol, practice focusing on smells.

• Your sense of smell can be very important in protecting your life and the lives of

others. Your nose can alert you to the smell of smoke or fumes or vapours before

your eyes or ears sense danger. Fumes are the by-product of heating metal and

have traces of metal in them. Vapours are wet gases, like steam, that are coming

off a liquid such as paint. It is important to know this so that you can choose the

type of breathing protection that you may need to enter an area safely.

• Be aware of what chemicals are used in your workplace, where they are stored,

and how to deal with the effects and threats they pose. Study and review the

Emergency section of your post orders and any safety information such as

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). All hazardous

materials in the workplace should have a label giving important cautions and first

aid measures. The law says that must receive training about dangerous products

in your workplace. See Unit 10 for more information on this.

• Learn to identify odors and be prepared to act fast if you smell anything

dangerous. Be aware that smells can cause strong emotional reactions and remain

calm.

• Know that some vapours from chemicals, gasoline, ether and smoke can deaden

your sense of smell. Leave the area as quickly as possible.

• Don’t forget to use your sense of smell to describe people or suspicious

conditions that you notice while on patrol.

Touch

• Touch can be used if you find an injured person. You can feel for a person’s

pulse or heat from their body. Touch can also be used to comfort someone.

Whenever possible get permission to touch someone. Be aware that an

unconscious person may become consciousness and be unhappy about being

touched.

• The heat from a vehicle’s tires or engine can help you determine how long it has

been parked on your site.

• In the dark, you can use touch to check if windows or doors have been forced

open. Be very careful not to disturb evidence that the police or health and safety

or insurance officials may need when they investigate.

• If you suspect a fire, you can feel a closed door to see if it is hot. If so, do not

open it as there is likely fire on the other side.

Taste

• Taste is closely related to the sense of smell. Our taste buds only allow us to

experience sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.

• You should never rely on your sense of taste while on patrol. Your other senses

will give you more information and you could become seriously ill by putting

unknown substances in your mouth.

Sight

• This is the most important sense used in observation. Most of the information

you receive on patrol will be through your eyes.

• You must have your vision checked regularly and always wear glasses if you need

them. If it is difficult for you to switch from seeing at a distance to close up, you

may need progressive lenses.

• While on patrol, you must actively scan large areas and examine small areas in

detail. Learn to develop eye control—look at things rather than through them.

• Look for differences rather than similarities. There are hundreds of blue vans, but

few with a dented right rear bumper with red paint on the dent.

• Be aware of things that can distort or affect your ability to see. The following

table gives some special conditions and suggestions of how to deal with them.

                                                                   Thank You