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This is the header image for the BPS Security article titled, “To Increase De-escalation Tactics, Security Firms Must Take a Proactive Stance”.

To Increase de-escalation Tactics, Security Firms Must Take a Proactive Stance

Guard Trends to Watch in 2022,” (an SIW article written by David Weingot) points out some of the major changes that we will see this year within the law enforcement industry that will trickle into the security industry! One of the points this article addresses is the need for serious reform when it comes to increasing de-escalation tactics within the security industry. We cannot agree more and happen to be big believers that in order to increase de-escalation tactics, security firms must take a proactive stance! Therefore, we are sharing some of the proactive measures that we take to help prevent hot tempered guards from using unnecessary and excessive physical force.

Taking a Proactive Stance to Increase De-Escalation Tactics

Screening Before Hiring

This image shows a closeup of two people, one clearly interviewing the other. We only see their hands, the interviewee’s hands are calmly clasped and laying on the desk, while the interviewer is holding a pen and ready to take notes on a piece of blank paper. This image is used in the BPS Security article titled, “To Increase De-escalation Tactics, Security Firms Must Take a Proactive Stance”.

Here at BPS Security, we often harp on the importance of screening potential security guard candidates prior to hiring. Unfortunately, this is not common within the security industry! Oftentimes, security firms will get a request for a security guard, and are so eager to make more money, they end up hiring the first person that happens to be available for the job without legit screening. 

To make matters worse, most firms pay minimum wage, and therefore do not have the best pool of individuals to sort through!
Why is screening so important? Some of the required skills necessary to become a security are teachable, whereas others are not (like personality type, temper, etc). Therefore, security firms need to really vet a candidate and make sure they can mentally handle the challenges that they will face! Not doing so usually results in a guard boiling over and lashing out.

Staged Trainings

As mentioned above, some skills can be learned while others just come naturally. So, once a candidate makes it through the vetting process, we always put them through “real-life-training” situations. During these training sessions, the candidate is unaware of what is real (strangers walking by) and what is “staged”. Ultimately, we bring in some of our guards “undercover”, who interact with the candidate and purposely try to rile them up. This allows for us to determine whether or not the candidate has what it takes to calmly diffuse a situation while under pressure!

Set Strict Communication Rules & Expectations

Here at BPS Security, we do not allow “sugar-coated” communication between staff. That said, we are very clear with our expectations, and make sure the candidate and/or employee knows what is tolerated and what is not. That said, we do promote open communication! If there are questions, our guards are encouraged to ask. If something does go wrong, they know that owning up to their mistakes and actions is the only way through the situation.The thing is, we have many ways of knowing exactly what happens on our clients’ properties, it is up to the guard to be open and honest! If they are not, we let them go. (Depending on the type of problem, they may still have to be let go, suspended, or moved to a different department.)

Final Thoughts

This image shows a security guard standing in an office building, monitoring the activity (all we see if their torso and top of pants) in the foreground, with a lady walking out of a door in the background. This image is used in the BPS Security article titled, “To Increase De-escalation Tactics, Security Firms Must Take a Proactive Stance”.
The security industry (as a whole) is corrupt, antiquated, and outdated! So it is incredibly exciting to see more and more security firms publicly point out the changes that desperately need to take place! If the security industry makes a valiant effort to focus on increasing de-escalation tactics, we will be in a very good position moving forward!

Again, here at BPS Security, we believe that in order to increase de-escalation tactics, security firms must take proactive measures!

We commend David Weingot for his willingness to write such an honest article! (Definitely give it a read!)
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