What do cops think about security guards ?

[rjackson1986]

I've worked in security for several years. Most of my interactions with law enforcement have been positive. There have been a few occasions where PD has treated me like crap. Obviously most cops are cool. What do you guys in law enforcement think about guards ?

[kermit315]

My opinion is this: everybody has a role to play. If you play your role, I will play mine. If you try to play my role, I am going to have a problem with that.

That being said, I get along with most of the guards I have dealt with. But, there is always one.

[Rogue187]

It all depends upon the actions of the Security Officer..some are professional and know what their roles are..But there are some who want to be LE and their demeanor shows that..
Some guards get themselves into trouble and when the police show up they act like the victim..when in truth they were the aggressors..
Some guard companies are really fly-by-night and you can see it in the quality of the individuals they hire..Some are very professional and you can see it in the way the officers act..Some are nothing but trouble too.

[kermit315]

How is that obvious?

How is it not obvious?

[P5Ret]

It all depends upon the actions of the Security Officer..some are professional and know what their roles are..But there are some who want to be LE and their demeanor shows that..
Some guards get themselves into trouble and when the police show up they act like the victim..when in truth they were the aggressors..
Some guard companies are really fly-by-night and you can see it in the quality of the individuals they hire..Some are very professional and you can see it in the way the officers act..Some are nothing but trouble too.

That right there pretty much sums it up for me. With the exception that some of the bigger well know security companies also have their share, "nothing more than a warm body to take up space". Especially when they hire specifically for a large on going event.

[sfbay]

there is a lot of private security in my city. i've had good interaction with them and they pretty much handle their own.

[micro911]

A few years ago, a security officer got involved in a gunfight with a gang member. He killed the bad guy in a shootout. I examined his pistol, and replaced all of his "not so good ammo" with our duty ammo.

I don't have a problem with security officers.

[SVT-40]

I've worked in security for several years. Most of my interactions with law enforcement have been positive. There have been a few occasions where PD has treated me like crap. Obviously most cops are cool. What do you guys in law enforcement think about guards ?

I worked in law enforcement for several years. Most of my interactions with security guards were positive. There were a few occasions where security guards treated me like crap. Obviously most security guards are cool. What do you guys in security think about law enforcement?

[Ron-Solo]

How is that obvious?

This is the law enforcement forum. Pretty obvious to most.

[kentactic]

How is it not obvious?

The majority of people in general aren't "cool". How does a badge change the odds?

[omgwtfbbq]

I haven't had a chance to work with many security officers in the traditional sense, but I have worked fairly closely with a few Loss/Asset protection agents in the area and my experiences have been overwhelmingly positive.

[oddjob]

I also agree with Rogue187. Most security guards I've encountered knew what both our roles were and I never had a problem. I know one cop who became a security guard after retirement.

[retired]

kentactic, I highly suggest that you read the rules for this specialty forum prior to posting again. The comment posted was the OP's opinion and he is entitled to it. Coming into this forum with the intent to stir the pot will just get you banned from the leo forum. If that occurs, not only will you not be able to post, you will not be able to view this forum.

Your decision at this point. Mine if you continue in the same vein.

[rjackson1986]

As a security guard I know my role. Most of my interactions have been positive with law enforcement. I say the worst one was when I had officers come for a transient who repeatedly trespassed on my property. I was tired of this guy that's why I called PD. From the get go the two officers were completely disrespectful. They told I was wasting their time. But besides that all other interactions with the police have been awesome. I have the utmost respect for you guys.

[pitbuljake]

As a security guard I know my role. Most of my interactions have been positive with law enforcement. I say the worst one was when I had officers come for a transient who repeatedly trespassed on my property. I was tired of this guy that's why I called PD. From the get go the two officers were completely disrespectful. They told I was wasting their time. But besides that all other interactions with the police have been awesome. I have the utmost respect for you guys.

They told I was wasting their time; I think that was more of an exception than the rule.


Our city had a large shopping mall, I would go there frequently to pick up shoplifters arrested by mall security or individual store securty. Never had an issue, I treated security officers the way I wanted to be treated, with respect!

Yes, sometimes they made mistakes in proceedure or paper work. I would take the time to either explain or educate. After all, we all make mistakes! Be safe