How do we improve security staff safety & and confidence?

At SCOPE Safety & Security, our mission is to focus on the safety of security staff. While it may seem obvious that all organizations prioritize staff safety, many lose sight of this core value without even realizing it. Let me explain further.

Over the years, I have spoken with numerous security managers, company owners, and directors. It is evident that they care deeply about their staff and the clients they serve. However, these conversations often lead to the same conclusion: "It's not in the contract" or "It's not in the budget."

These statements are not necessarily untrue. In fact, they often highlight roadblocks or perceived roadblocks. By having open conversations together, we might be able to identify and overcome these roadblocks or, at the very least, explore alternative pathways forward.

Staff Confidence:

To build staff confidence, it's essential to follow a series of steps in the right order. The initial step is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of staff members in terms of operations. This involves assessing how your organization measures their performance and considering how each staff member feels about their abilities.

Acknowledge Strengths and Weaknesses

Let's take the example of First Aid, as responding to medical emergencies is becoming increasingly common and life-threatening calls are even more critical, as we can see with the Canadian Lifesavers Association. In a recent post, the Canadian Lifesavers Association awarded 218 security professionals accross Canada in 2023 for their actions directly related to medical emergencies. This demonstrates the professional performance of our industry. However, many organizations focus on meeting only the minimum compliance requirements instead of identifying the best practices for real-world risks and hazards of medical response.

For example, drug-related poisoning from opioids can cause respiratory complications that can lead to an individual to stop breathing and, ultimately, their heart stopping. Security staff often respond with CPR compression only, even though the primary symptom is respiratory distress. A 4-hour training course, like Basic Life Support (BLS), can teach security professionals to respond as a medical response team with identified roles, documentation, and equipment. Adding a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) to the First Aid kit can make staff feel more comfortable and entire teams feel confident. The result is higher trained staff, confident and competent teams, and an increased likelihood of positive care outcomes.

What would be the approximate cost associated with such a significant upskill? The average price of BLS is $80/student for a 4-hour course (market rate), and a BVM for a site costs between $25-$35.

Staff Investment:

Staff investment is not just about hard costs but also about effort and energy. Staff retention and engagement are directly related to each other. I commonly visit sites, especially on nights or weekends, and find that the staff needs a relationship with their leadership teams. This is not a budget issue but a scheduling issue. Prioritizing the frontline staff can only lead to positive outcomes. Security staff can build deeper and more meaningful relationships with the leadership team, and the management can receive more feedback, ideas, and suggestions.

To keep things simple, staff are looking for four specific things to feel valued and engaged:

• To feel understood
• To feel validated
• To feel appreciated
• To feel affirmed

A typical example of feeling understood is when a security staff member suggests the use of force training, handcuffs, or baton to carry. Often, the staff member is not always asking for these specific items. They may feel unsafe at work and are providing suggestions on how to feel safer. Instead of saying that these items are not required for the site or not in the contract/budget, ask the staff member, "What is happening on the site that might make this solution helpful?" As a result, you might get more information and alternative solutions.

Equipment and Supplies

The reality of physical risk is increasing more than ever before in recent years. As SCOPE operates in Calgary, Alberta, I will refer to a Calgary Police Service statistic. At the time of writing, the most recent published statistics are from Q2 of 2023. The report states that violence has increased by 15% compared to the 5-year average for the same quarter. Assaults are also up by 14% on the 5-year average, and assaults involving a weapon or causing bodily harm are up by 34%.

Since many of our security professionals are expected to interact with the public, respond to crises, and assist clients and tenants with their concerns, the point of interaction for our security personnel has increased. However, the training and equipment provided to them do not reflect the objective measurements of the communities in which they work.

I understand that wearing a uniform with body armor may present the wrong message in some locations. But this industry has adapted, and low-profile and discreet protection options are now more readily available and affordable. Training options on situational awareness, team response, and environmental control factors also contribute to a safer and more confident staff member.

In Summary

The safety and confidence of security staff members is a collective responsibility. Security Employers, Clients, In-House Departments, and Security Professionals all have a critical role to play. To achieve this, Security Employers must view their guard force as a valuable product and build a discretionary scale that allows for flexibility in response to changing trends. This solution-based approach will result in increased client satisfaction and improved public trust. In-house departments can foster mentorship, communication, and feedback to build cohesive teams. Lastly, Security Professionals need to develop advocacy skills to support their ideas and suggestions with business cases and risk/hazard measurements. By working together and fulfilling our respective roles, we can create a safer and more secure environment for all.

Example of BVM

Some Examples of Low Profile Body Armour - Stab/Slash Protection