Posted on: October 16, 2019 Posted by: Aaron_George Comments: 0

Keeping your home or business property secure may cost quite some money, especially when you cannot be on the watch all the time. Once you get a security guard to help, you should also find reliable ways to monitor the guard(s). Of course, you wouldn’t want to waste a lot of money paying someone who spends time playing mobile games or who naps on the job.

A good security guard is always ready to respond to identified risks and is ever alert. You would like to think that your security guards provide the level of service required to protect the belongings you keep in their care, but how can you be entirely sure?

The performance metrics you use in evaluating your other employees cannot be used for your security guards. Thankfully, according to security services by ICORP Security in Melbourne, there is a range of techniques to apply.

These techniques which you’ll learn as you read on will help you assess the performance of your security personnel correctly. You can also get an in-depth insight into the personality of your guards on and off your property. Hence, you’ll know whether you’re getting value for your money or not.

  1. Arrive earlier than usual occasionally

Most employees appear to work harder when they are under observation. This is to say that when you’re close by, your security guard may act accordingly. Meanwhile, the moment you leave, he or she may begin to slack in their duties.

The method to determine whether your staff is continuously on task, and not only when you’re around, is to make surprising arrivals sometimes. This will help you catch an earring security professional off guard. You’ll immediately be sure if they’ve been shirking their responsibilities.

  • Drop-by at night

Your security guards may not anticipate an early arrival, but they’ll even less expect a sudden nighttime visit. A problematic security guard is more likely to display unacceptable attitudes when everyone else is away. By dropping by between 10 pm and 4 am, you will establish a sense of unpredictability. This will keep your guard from thinking he or she can waste time when you’re absent and get away with it.

  • Converse with the security guard when visiting

Your early morning or nighttime visits should be more than just walking past the security guard’s post. The visits should consist of exchanging greetings with your guard, and briefly chatting about the shift. You may question the guards to know when they last went on patrol, when the next patrol is, and what observations the guard made during his recent patrols.

Apart from knowing the performance of your security guards on the job, their answers to your questions will also help you identify some things. You will know the areas in which you can improve, probably by using a better tracking system or making more effective scheduling.

  • Look for “sleeping on the job” signs

Few behaviors are as blatantly disrespectful or as dangerous as a security guard sleeping on the job. Sometimes, play detective and watch for signs of snoozing during a night shift. These signs include:

  • Jackets or shirts balled up to make a pillow
  • Missed patrols or long periods between each patrol
  • Footprint on chairs – the security guard may kick his or her feet back as they relax
  • Your security guard looking exhausted or dizzy if you unexpectedly stop by
  • Turned-off office lights in the security area

You’ll quickly catch these signs if you show up earlier than usual or late at night. If you get there at the standard time, the security guard may have already cleaned up and removed all the signs of nap-time.

  • Go for security companies with patrol tracking systems

You shouldn’t limit yourself to low-quality video footage or occasional nightly visits. A patrol system will offer you instant access to the performance of your security guards. Partner with a security company that uses advanced tracking systems.

The system should ideally combine radio-frequency identification (RFID) and GPS. Or, the system should have near-field communication (NFC) technology. These tools provide peer-to-peer capabilities and superior security, useful for tracking your guard’s activities.

In conclusion

When you apply any or all of the above tips, it significantly improves your guards’ accountability. GPS tracking, electronic checkpoints, any automatic timekeeping ensure that your guards follow their shift procedures. They will also be propelled to show up for patrols on time and perform all other functions.

Using high-tech systems can even help you get automatic alerts if your guard does not check-in at the proper time. In conclusion, these will not only help keep your guards alert but also give you peace of mind over the security of your property.

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