What tasks does a Security Guard typically undertake?

[IDS]

Stevew

You remind me of a story not so long ago with the guarding side of the company I work for when a mobile patrol supervisor went on a site visit one night and caught one of the guards sleeping he decided to take his picture send it to the boss and didn't even wake him and left

[genericbob]

I always thought the big Nigerian fella that guarded a nearby office block had a big maglight in his hand, I'm definitely not going over to have a closer look

Bob

[Stevew]

Stevew

You remind me of a story not so long ago with the guarding side of the company I work for when a mobile patrol supervisor went on a site visit one night and caught one of the guards sleeping he decided to take his picture send it to the boss and didn't even wake him and left

My company do the uni's near here. we sent a guard into cover a shift at the student halls.

He fell asleep in his office and forgot to lock the door. the next day the students were passing pictures around and one of the guards asked to see them.

It was of the night shift guard sleeping and covered in make up.

Steve

[nothing2report]

This is a very smart question. If you don't know what you are supposed to be doing you can end up looking a real fool.

The specific tasks for any site should be clearly spelt-out in the, bang upto date, assignment instructions (why is everyone laughing?). More likely, the guard you will be relieving should tell you what you need to know. If the guard only wants to get off home, put your foot down but ask them politely what you need to know. Ask specifically about the fire and intruder alarms (codes, etc.).

Check the log book to ascertain the comings and goings. Then check out every other piece of paper you can lay your hands on including the notice boards. One time I was pulling some extra shifts for a client who needed some guards for just a few weeks. I only found out what we actually supposed to be doing by reading the clients notice board, they had put up a notice to explain what was happening for the benefit of the regular staff.

Don't be surprised if you are the last to know. It is all too common unfortunately.

To add to the good advice of the previous posters, make certain you won't get caught sleeping or W@@king.

One story I got told was of a fella who fell asleep in the front office. Some kids pushed a firework through the air vents at the top of the front door and he had to go home to change his underwear.

Then there was the time of this old boy who was having fun on the clients Internet when the client's staff arrived to find the guard with his trousers lowered to his ankles.

[VikingPort]

Painting, minor surgery, air traffic control if near an airport. I had one job where we were meant to redo the ceiling but some bloke called Michaelangelo undercut us! Is this really a serious question? What the **** do you think a security guard does?
In another life I would suspect a major WAH!

Looks like ive been getting off lightly then...

[Kingb]

If the guard only wants to get off home, put your foot down but ask them politely what you need to know. Ask specifically about the fire and intruder alarms (codes, etc.).

If its my finish time, then put your foot down all you like, but i will be going home like it or not!

[doorsupervisor1990]

If its my finish time, then put your foot down all you like, but i will be going home like it or not!

Agree'd! after a 12 hour shift im not gonna fanny about telling someone what to do.