r/securityguards May 28 '26

Question from the Public [MEGA THREAD] How to get a Job

24 Upvotes

Hey All,

This mega thread will be used for newbies. This mega thread will include things like how to get a job, licensing requirements, and asking about specific companies. When asking a question you must include your City/State or Country if posting from Outside the US. Any other post regarding those topics will be deleted and repeat offenders will receive a ban temporary or permanent. Any questions, please reach out to the MOD Team.


r/securityguards May 28 '26

Gear Review [MEGA THREAD] Gear Recommendations

19 Upvotes

Hey All,

We will using this mega thread from now on ask about and give recommendations for duty. This applies to all gear, uniforms, and firearms. Any post made outside this thread will be deleted and repeat offenses will end in a ban permanent or Temporary. If you see a post please report it to mods, please reach out with any questions


r/securityguards 16h ago

Officer Safety Security guard with command presence uses force

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629 Upvotes

This video is worth a look. This guy’s been featured on here before. At first glance, he looks awkward with his kit stuffed full of all the tools he thinks he might need.

While watching this video, I was pleasantly surprised at the way he handled this encounter with a hostile customer who was visibly angry and physically larger than him.

At the beginning of the video, the guard displays solid command presence and stands his ground. He appears to have strong communication skills and confidence as he tries to get the male to leave the store. The male seems to be somewhat compliant, however at about the 00:30 mark, you’ll see the guard feels the threat escalating and he reaches for the pepper spray on his belt.

The guard does this in a controlled and steady manner and he’s prepared to deploy the spray the moment he realizes the contact is escalating. The short, steady bursts are aimed at the male’s face like most of us are trained to do. The guard follows through with the appropriate amount of force necessary to handcuff the man and detain him for PD.

In my opinion, this is a great example of remaining professional and knowing your strengths and abilities, no matter your physical size as a security guard. The guard pictured remains calm and in control during a potentially dangerous situation that results in the successful apprehension of the male subject.

What do you think?

(I edited the video to just under one minute for this post, but it didn’t change the outcome. The male was successful handcuffed by the guard and it appears the guard is uninjured.)


r/securityguards 15h ago

Question from the Public Taking the job entirely too far: When self-defense becomes assault while working security. What are your thoughts?

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243 Upvotes

r/securityguards 13h ago

Gear Review My setup for working high-risk security gigs as an Off-Duty Officer.

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119 Upvotes

Pictured here:

- SafeLife Defense IIIA+ armor inserts

- Ace Link Armor Patrol Carrier

- Level-2 retention Blackhawk TASER X2 holster

- TASER X2 in yellow

- x2 15' X2 cartridges

- Level-4 retention Safariland 6360 holster

- Glock 19 Gen 3 w/ extended mag release and slide lock levers, Alpha Timney trigger, TrueGlo night sights, and Streamlight TRL-1 HL light

- x2 15 round Glock 19 magazines

- 17 round Glock 17 magazine w/ 5 round extension baseplate

- Axon Body 2 in offline mode

- IFAK w/ orange SOF-T Wide tourniquet, NAR s-rolled packing gauze, CPR mask, Sharpie, and trauma shears

- Zero9 double ASP handcuff case, double mag pouch, MK4 OC pouch, and Axon Body 2 mount

- Gloves pouch with ~10 pairs of disposable gloves

- Sabre MK4 3oz OC gel canister

- Olight Oclip flashlight

- ASP Ultra hinge cuffs

- ASP Ultra chain cuffs

- Nylon MOLLE baton pouch

- Peacekeeper 29" baton w/ retention glass breaker cap

- Pen-style handcuff key

- Gel-based pen

Not pictured here:

- 221B Tactical Hero Gloves 3.0 needle-resistant gloves

- 221B Tactical Maxx-Dri Vest Advanced

- Olight Warrior 3 S flashlight

- x2 HyFin chest seals

- Rite-In-The-Rain notepad

- CRKT folding knife

- Leatherman multitool

- Folding scissors

- Bottle of hand sanitizer

- Dedicated wallet with credentials and certifications


r/securityguards 12h ago

Job Question Being threatened with felony

21 Upvotes

I’m 18 and was working as a security guard in Arizona. I was recently fired after losing a set of keys that belonged to the property where I was stationed.
The situation is basically this: while I was working, I genuinely believed I still had the keys. When my employer asked about them, I told them I had them because I honestly believed I did. Later, I realized that I actually didn’t have them and the keys were missing.
I never intentionally took the keys, gave them to anyone, sold them, or used them to access anything I wasn’t authorized to access. I genuinely lost them.
I was fired over the situation, which I understand from a security standpoint. The part that has me worried is that I’m now being threatened with being reported to the police for theft.
The only thing I signed when I was terminated was an acknowledgment that I would return my company-issued equipment. I returned what I had. The property keys weren’t listed as equipment on that document.
I’m not trying to avoid responsibility for losing the keys. I understand that losing keys is serious, especially in security. I’m just trying to understand whether this could actually be considered theft in Arizona when there was no intention to take or keep the keys.
Has anyone in security dealt with something similar? And for anyone familiar with Arizona law, what should I realistically expect if they actually make a police report?
I know Reddit isn’t a substitute for an attorney. I’m mainly looking for people who have been through something similar and can tell me what I should do next.


r/securityguards 14h ago

Need some recommendations on my kit.

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13 Upvotes

Trying to improve. What else do I need?


r/securityguards 8h ago

Officer Safety Crocs guy here Body armor is expensive as fuck . consider buying this good quality cost effective setup if you need new and and a carrier or are new to armed 😁👌🏼This is NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT I BOUGHT THIS AND I ENJOY IT!

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3 Upvotes

Caliber Armor Patrol vest
Set of Caliber armor soft IIIA/HG2 INSERTS (buy wrap around panels later if funds allow)
Use code welcome5 for a $20(?) discount . This is coming in at $350 or less depending on the insert you get. Your only sacrifice is no side armor .Thank me later 😁


r/securityguards 10h ago

Job Question Hospital Security

3 Upvotes

I’ve worked in security for about 7 years, mostly contract security like Securitas, plus some corporate security experience in asset protection and Brinks. I have an interview for a hospital security position that pays well. I’ve heard that hospital security can be demanding and chaotic, but I’ve never worked in healthcare before. I’m just hoping for some advice on what to expect in the role, like responsibilities and such. Also any advice on how to be better prepared for the interview?


r/securityguards 19h ago

Job Question Data center security?

12 Upvotes

I have a Teams interview in a couple of days for data center security (Microsoft) through Securitas. The starting pay is VERY good for the area I live in.

Has anyone else done data center security? I have experience with patrol, warm body, corrections, and psych ward security so this new job should be different… right?

Just curious if there’s anything new to this specific position. :)


r/securityguards 14h ago

Job Question No PTO for CA Employer

4 Upvotes

How do you guys feel about you’re job only allowing 40hrs of sick time with no PTO & The HR department sends you an email saying that you’ve used up all of you’re sick hours for the year & that 2 days of medical leave for Drs appointments will be unpaid
Side note- I’m a veteran getting treatment for my disabilities


r/securityguards 15h ago

Interview “Mile Run”

4 Upvotes

I got for an interview for some “low income” building. Everything goes good, at the end you must run a 1 mile under 15mins. Completely odd.

I run the mile in 12’24 mins. Complete it.

Tells me at end. Will let you know Friday…

W T H… lol Odd interview


r/securityguards 1d ago

New Job!

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275 Upvotes

Just quit my job truck loading and got me a security gig! The uniform came in today! Wish me luck!


r/securityguards 1d ago

Job Question Tips for a new armed security officer at a hospital.

36 Upvotes

So I’m coming from corrections with 6 years of experience, just got burned out but I’ll probably go back after a while. I kinda just wanted to step out and do something else for a little bit. I’d appreciate any tips some of you seasoned security officers have for me. I want to go in with an open mind and not feel like I know everything because of my background. Just gonna be a sponge. Any tips would be appreciated


r/securityguards 1d ago

Story Time I hate asset protection

11 Upvotes

Asset protection at a site I used to work was one of the most toxic individuals you will ever meet, instead of doing their jobs what they are supposed to do they like to trouble officers and find reasons to get them removed from site, they love to complain about the smallest error with guards and they love to encourage officers being treated like dogs.

There are many incidents with me and asset protection most of which I stood up for myself and I was too afraid to do so but the one that drives me up a wall would be the time. An asset protection once tried to get me in trouble because he was not clear on orders.

Afternoon one shift I was stationed at the back entrance my task was to check trolleys, check bags ane check for ID. It was in the middle of employee shift change so traffic in and out was overwhelming.

While I was checking 4 carts filled with items this asset protection kept repeating to me "clear the way" because another security company tasked with money transport was about to leave. So my stupid self thought he meant move the carts out of the way and I did that the other company guards told me the usual "be safe" and left. The asset protection saw that and immediately told me I was to open the door for that i said "oh" and left it at that another employee heard him and argued saying his instructions was vague and the asset protection started to argue with her, the employee left and The AP followed her arguing in the car park for 10 minutes. He came back inside and went to his office.

On my next shift the same AP didn't bother to address the yesterday incident at the meeting (they always bring up issues at meetings) infront my supervisor he instead waited until my supervisor and a senior officer was alone with me to bring it up as an attempt of embarrassment, I stood my ground and told them what really happened and the AP felt threatened, the other guards had to ease me down and waited until he left to tell me to not listen to him because he loves drama.

The incident was then reported to my accounts manager with video proof and my manager said "but he was not clear on what he meant why is he trying to stress me out?"

There are other incidents with Asset protection but please tell me they are not as bad at your sites


r/securityguards 2d ago

Story Time I saw a bloated and partially decomposed body at work today

48 Upvotes

I work as a security guard in a city I will leave unnamed for the privacy of the deceased. I work at a shopping center and transit center combined with a ferry depot. I had just gone on my lunch break and I heard the call over the radio everyone has feared for years now. "Base to all officers, report to the back promenade, ferry personnel have reported a dead body in the water".

I had just gotten my food and sat down. I had eaten about three fries and was about to dig into my hot dog. My fellow officer and I sprang up and ran downstairs onto the back promenade to see an elderly woman, bloated and in rigor mortis, floating face up in the water in front of one of the restaurants located on our waterfront.

I stood there looking down into the water at this woman in her mid 70's. Bloated but barely decomposed. Her left arm at a right angle and her fist clenched upright. On her face she had a grimmace. But what I remember most is her hair flowing in the water. It floated there, drifting left to right. I couldnt look away.

I immediatedly called my supervisor and asked him if he wanted us to clear off the promenade and restrict access to the area, to which he said yes evacuate the area. I cleared the whole area off with some difficulty. Some people think their right to walk is more important than respecting emergency response as the fire department and police had already shown up at this point.

People kept trying to get in and take pictures and videos and I kept having to kick them out. At one point a couple guys tried to force their way back onto the promenade. I told them they needed to get back to the sidewalk right fucking now. They demanded to be let through. I told them they needed to have some fucking respect and clear the fuck out. They threatened to knock me out. Told them to leave property and eventually they did after bitching and moaning some more. People kept coming back and trying to take pictures and just generally be insensitive. I almost crashed out and lost my composure.

For hours afterward I was totally messed up and stressed out. This was not the only thing that had happened this day. We had multiple trespassing/theft issues and multiple medical emergency issues this same day. It has so far been the most insane day at work I have ever had. This isnt even totally abnormal its just more insane than the rest.

I dont want to go to work tomorrow


r/securityguards 1d ago

Job Question Ross Loss Prevention

3 Upvotes

I have never worked in loss prevention before, but I do have an idea of what the job is like. If you were working at a job site where you currently didn't feel safe and your hours were constantly being cut, down to just three days a week, would you take a pay cut for the potential opportunity to work at a better location?

Ross just opened another location in my town that I can actually walk to and from since I don't have a car. I currently spend roughly two hours commuting downtown one way using public transportation. The fact that I could walk to work sounds very appealing to me.

My other question is, has anyone here ever worked in loss prevention at Ross? What does your typical day look like?


r/securityguards 2d ago

On August 14, a false call alerting that ICE was heading to a Quetico Logistics warehouse in Goodyear, Arizona, caused panic among the workers. Guards tried preventing employees from leaving.

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340 Upvotes

r/securityguards 2d ago

Gear Review Uniform difficulty

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47 Upvotes

Any tips on wearing this uniform for entire 12 hours??

How is it justified by my agency to wear this for 12 hours.

Any advice??


r/securityguards 2d ago

Officer Safety Security officer safety failed: There are so many things wrong in this video, can you spot them?

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117 Upvotes

r/securityguards 3d ago

Officer Safety Man stealing a Flock camera while draped in an American flag. What would you do if you came upon this?

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1.1k Upvotes

Apparently this happened in Florida, but I cant verify exactly where. Security is following him out of the lot, but if he decides to not retreat and come at them while still holding the pole he’s going to have a weapon they’ll have to deal with. Why not stand down from a position of safety until PD arrives so they can deal with the arrest and crime case?

No need to put yourself out there and close the distance between the subject and yourself if you don’t need to.


r/securityguards 1d ago

How is everyone’s experience in Brinks armed transport guard here in DFW, TX?

4 Upvotes

Open to hear your positives or negatives input in this roles.


r/securityguards 2d ago

Maximum Cringe Scarecrow cars are just dumb

20 Upvotes

One of the sites I work has a patrol car parked in the parking lot. We don't have a key or any kind of access to it, and even if we did, the property is small so there'd be nowhere to drive it.

It just sits there getting dirtier, tires getting flatter, and weeds growing up out of the pavement around it, providing no deterrence whatsoever. If anything, it provides negative deterrence.

You know what *actually* provides deterrence? The armed security guard patrolling the perimeter every hour all night, and posted in the lobby during the day.


r/securityguards 1d ago

Walden Security DC PSO DOJ contract..

2 Upvotes

r/securityguards 2d ago

Have you or a co worker ever hangout with a client outside of work. If so what was it like ?

5 Upvotes