I'm not sure if this thread is still alive, but be rest assured that "Opinion Owner" and "Anonymous" are clueless to what the Security industry is truly about. Our industry has a stigma because most contractors hire anyone with a pulse just to fill a pay role. Unfortunately, these guards are overweight, uneducated and are only there to collect a paycheck and those of us who are dedicated to the profession have to live with it. "Guards" and "Officers" are two very different positions. I described "Guards" above. "Officers" on the other hand are dedicated to the job and understand camaraderie. Officers tend to have Criminal Justice degrees and be former military and/or police and are the experts in our profession. Many police officers use Security as a stepping stone or they'll do it as a side gig. I know plenty of cops that were/are private officers. Our authority is derived from our clients. Some clients give us full detainment power, some don't, but we have more power than people realize. Also, we enforcement property rules whether John Q. Public likes it or not. Don't like it? There's the door! $10/hr? HA, what a joke. I'm the swing shift Patrol Sergeant at a mall, and I make $15/hr, tyvm. I also spent five years in the Army as a police officer. Also, Security isn't dangerous? Under my watch, I've had three officers - including the Assistant Director - wounded in the line of duty breaking up fights. I myself gave blood. Thirty three Security Officers we killed on 9/11 helping people escape the towers. Also, we live in an age of terrorism. Remember the shooting at LAX Airport shooting in 2013? An unarmed Transportation Security Officer was murdered by someone who had it out for police and security. Malls, Hospitals and Airports are the three most dangerous places to be a private or government security officer. Being unarmed makes our jobs more dangerous because we can't defend ourselves if need be. A college students job? Every college student that I've worked with quit inside a week after they realized they couldn't handle the pressure. Security is a paycheck to some and a calling to others. I personally have made security my career. Yes, I take a lot of verbal abuse, but I've also been thanked for my service countless times. I've dealt with tons of folks in the worst times of their lives: missing kids, medical issues, assaults, domestic violence, drunk and disorderly's, people trapped in elevators, stolen property, vehicle accidents, etc. I've even had an active shooter, two ODs and three gun calls at my post. My team also has a great relationship with the local police department. Security is very similar to police work depending where you serve, and not just anybody can do it because you have to be able to keep a level head when everyone else is losing theirs. When chaos erupts in malls, hospitals or airports, the public looks to security of guidance and protection. Don't let the naysayers drag you down. Security is more important than people realize and always taken for granted. If you enjoy your job, that's all that matters. Stay safe.
I have been a security guard for almost a year now and it seems to me i get more respect from people when i wear my uniform. I usally work security for a college campus and all the students are cool and respectful to me but i heard from some of my coworkers that they get treatred like crap but i think they take their job to serious not very polite to the students and most of them are fat or obese and older than me as i am young and thin and look. more presentable. i also don't look down. or think i am a cop or above people and i don't want to be a cop. I think it sounds u. hate your job and maybe u should pick another job even though i have problems with people just take it and don't take personal but if your feelings get hurt easily don't be in security
I think there are a few reasons. 1. It's like you aren't good enough for real law enforcement so you had to do security. 2. You have no more legal authority to do anything to someone than any other citizen. 3. It is so easy to become a security officer... all you typically need is a couple hours in the classroom and a GED. 4. Working security isn't a stepping stone into law enforcement... in fact it's the opposite... if you want to be in law enforcement just go the academy and be an officer... no reason to do security first. 5. A lot of security officers do have an attitude like they are all that, even though they make $10 an hour and have no real authority.
But I don't see the point of your post. Yeah people are going to treat you like crap... but you knew that. I worked retail for 10 years and got treated like crap all the time... but unfortunately that's to be expected. If it hurts your feelings, maybe you should find another line of work?
I don't see it this way, but from people I know, I would say its a case of..
~you want to be a cop, but aren't even good enough to be one~
me personally, I don't have any issue with cops. and I know way more people apply then there are positions available, and that the forces in the cities, hire to try and be representative of the community.
but soooo many people hate cops, so you get painted with that.. and then the perceived failure..
leads to the bad stigma for security guards.
People probably remember being harassed by security officers as teenagers. When I was a teen security officers were bullies/harassers. They were constantly getting fired for using excess force and or molesting teens that they accused of stealing.
The concession stands at the mall would always call the police on security because they would drive us away by accusing us of loitering if we were in the middle of ordering/while we were being handed our food.
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Some security officers are power tripping and become douches...
When I was in high school, I went to a shopping mall with a group of like 9 people and I guess because we're all Asian and all wearing black they assumed we were in some gang and wanted to cause trouble. We didn't even do anything and they made up some random ass rules stating we cannot be in the premises in a party of more than 6 people. We called em out on it to show us the policy and one called the police. The cops came and we had to leave for loitering because we weren't shopping? Long story short we were banned from that mall for a year with our pictures taken for no apparent reason...
Probably some people are upset because of things they have done that the security officers have punished them for. Everybody hates a cop right after they get a ticket.
I've never understood all the hate, even by people who have had some bad experiences. We're not so blind as a culture that we should make the errors of a few people the errors of all people.
Well depends on the company you work for. As for me I'm seriously at work right now. Driving mobile patrol. Its frowned upon because in the time you spend in this industry, you can progress Into an actual career in law enforcement. I mean for me it's a good job because I get fulltime hours and I'm under 21. And I can go to school daytime.
Because people don't see them as a real authority etc.. But it's your job.. if you like it and you support yourself.. Screw what everyone else says/thinks.. It's your life live it the way you want to..
It's a lame job. Why not become an armed security guard or a private security. You can wear suits, it's more badass and people will respect you more.
Hmm they are scary... I heard of a case where this guard who'd sexually assaulted an international student at our university. They give me the creeps in general.
Don't feel too bad. I have delivered pizza before FT and made 45K in a year after busting my butt. Women would look at me like I was nothing. Eventually I moved on to a better position but I bought a car and a house off that job.
"im fat but that has nothing to do with anything" "Im not even close to fat or out of shape"
Which is it then? You're so full of lies you can't even remember them all!
It's not, I personally see it as the equivalent of police. The difference between the police and security guard is that the guard is more of a contractor, so that might be the reason why for those that think so
You are following the law, some people hate the law so they're going to hate police, guards- you get the memo.
Are you sure it's security 'Officers" in general or is it just you. By the sound of your comments I picture a 14 yr old who is going to run & tell his mommy everyone's picking on me. No one likes a rat.
Now you can add me to your report rat list.
What do you mean? That sounds like an awesome job. How are you "below people"?
This was certainly entertaining. Thanks for the laughs. For the record I don't see anything wrong with security guards. You on the other hand are comical. I read all the comments and your responses.
well it depends... it's seen as low class work, but then perhaps you live in a judgmental society.
Because a lot of people have a problem with authority, whether it's directly affecting them or not.
I don't know anyone that looks down on them. I certainly don't.
I don't stigmatize it. Maybe people are afraid of you if you're big and butch. But that's not the same as stigma.
Because people see you as "wanna be cops".
I blame Paul Blart.
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