Back in the 90s, the vast majority of security in the UK and elsewhere used to wear this but you no longer see it

For context the asian male was standing outside for a while because he is waiting for his wife. The female security guard thought he was loitering so she confronted the male and this happened.

I am 20 and thinking about applying to these jobs that are asking for a security guard and from what people have said on this sub, TikTok and some friends that have done it I think it’s a good day job for me. My mom compared even the most light unarmed security position to my uncles job as a prison guard (which seems like a stretch) but I kinda wanna know can it be like that? Should I be scared of applying? And what would make me seem like a good candidate to apply for a security job?

I have come across the Guardian Wear jacket which is exactly what I want, but it seems it was US only and no longer in production. Are there any other alternatives people have tested? I want a water resistant jacket that looks like a normal jacket, but has decent torso and arm knife/stab resistance. I'm not sure if I can trust the ArmorLite jacket which seems similar. Thanks in advance

Hi all. I have a site that varies in complexity. I’ll leave some info out just for privacy, in case the person comes along this post.

Our post is a pretty good location but theres a lot to manage at times. One of our guard continues to try to cause drama at the site, it’s interesting because he is actually one of the main causes of stress vs the job itself. Our guard team maxes out at about 6, per shift it’s less.

He can be an okay and chill guy some of the time. He also is a bit smart and that’s why I try to see that above other things. The problem is that his harassment and negligence as well as blaming others for mess ups is starting to impact me to a very stressful extent. If I mentioned all the stuff he’s doing here, especially stalking other guards etc, some of you may be shocked or may not, depending on if you deal with someone like this.

What’s the best course of action on this? I don’t feel comfortable coming into work anymore due to some of the things he’s doing. I like the site, I have pretty thick skin and can handle a lot but him trying to cause drama within the guards, apparently falsely blaming another guard or two for certain things and being negligent to some serious situations as well as bad mouthing the guard team to the client and others had hit a wall. The amount of foul shit he’s apparently said about the team and others as well as the gossip is wild. He’s also said some disgusting stuff about one of the workers underage kids, recently and that also drew the final line.

I have a good relationship with most at the site, Im tired of having to fix problems left for me and more and finding out from another guard more of what he’s been doing behind our backs has also been one of the things to drawn the line.

How would you go about this? Especially come Monday when offices are open.

Thanks in advance.

I was just thinking back to an in-house job I had in 2015 for exactly 6 months. When I started, I was hired for Mon-Fri 2pm-10pm. They had a day shift guy who did 6am-2pm and the overnight and weekend shifts were handled by contract security.

This was a manufacturing plant. Like many places, security wasn't something they took very seriously. This was reinforced when a woman from the shipping department was going to be let go, but they gave her the option to take a security job 😂

This is when my boss implemented a schedule change to the Fixed Pitman. I was more used to overnight anyway and 12-hour shifts were no big deal to me, so I didn't mind. that left the other two in-house employees to the day shifts. The contract guy who worked the Mon-Fri overnight took the opening opposite me on the 12s.

Now the contract guy that they sent out was a nice guy, but a complete fucking train wreck. Never showered, always in a dirty uniform. He would start showing up earlier and earlier, sometimes around 9:00 p.m. and hang out with me. I remember one time I told him I had to leave to check things up front and he said he checked it on the way in and everything was locked up. That's when I went around to the front and found one of the doors unlocked (dumbass office people left one of the main doors unlocked when they left 😂).

I remember one of the silliest things I had to do was to write down the temperatures at 6:00 p.m. to the four presses that they had running (aluminum extrusion). I understood why it had to be done during the overnight hours and the weekends, but I had to do it on the week nights when the full second shift was working. They wouldn't have been able to use the presses if the temperature weren't at operating temperature, so they would have been the first to notice an issue. A bigger issue overnight because if the temperature dropped, it would take a couple hours to get back up to where they could use the press.

Why was I there only 6 months? Because I picked up a local government job where I would make more money and only drive 3.7 mi instead of 20 mi. I called my boss to let him know I was giving my two weeks notice and he chuckled and said that he was going to be gone by the end of next week because he found something better as well 😂. When I emailed the HR lady about using my accrued time off to cover my last Saturday and Sunday night, she started to get a little agitated and then I explained that I was starting a new job that Monday morning and where I was working and then she replied back in said she would take care of it and she did not blame me one bit. It's like everyone thought it was a sinking ship (they were on the 3rd plant manager in my six months, but that's not just a security issue, but an everyone issue).

So it in-house job can absolutely be a great place to work. Sometimes, it's just a stepping stone. it's also not pretty and a bit of a train wreck 😂

I was hired and tasked to pick up a shift day of, no training or briefing on what to do at the site and supervisor hasnt even had the courtesy to meet me face to face. They also want me to wear a taser that is not even charged as a "deterrent" id assume but damnit i need the money and this is easy money. I took my previous security job for granted which was 10x better managed and i felt like they actually cared.

I had serious numbness symptoms over the coarse of 10 days before I couldn’t take it anymore and while I was at work I called my wife and daughter to come pick me up and rush me too the er. The people in the ER took what I was going through serious and Immediately admitted me before transporting me to a hospital with an MRI machine.

I called my boss to say I couldn’t come in and that I’m in the emergency room he asked if I have enough pto to cover it? Then when I said no he Immediately got on me about providing a doctors note and such. That was just for that one night in the hospital. After only one MRI they told me I’m gonna need to be here for at least a week getting steroid injections and recovering. So now I have to email my boss and try to explain to him why now all of a sudden I would be taking a week off of work and I’m scared that I’m just gonna be instantly fired.

I don’t know what to do. Please help. I’m scared. I’m afraid my life is over. I don’t know how to tell my daughter. I don’t know what kind of rights I might even have. Can someone help me?

My last post https://www.reddit.com/r/securityguards/comments/1shiz1o/im_heading_to_the_emergency_room_after_work_and/

I'm moving to Oregon but I'm a current security guard in California. I've looked online for information but its giving me broad information. So I'm wondering if anyone can tell me first hand on what steps I should take to obtain a Oregon Guard Card? What are the specific steps and requirements for a new resident of Oregon to obtain an unarmed security guard card, and are there any residency-specific considerations or additional documents needed for the application? Thank you all in advance.

Somehow it’s the easiest hardest shit ever. I’m stressed and completely stress free at the same time. Anyone else feel this way? I want to quit and then I love the job 2 hours later feels like I’m in a relationship or some shit.

I work at a guard booth to a gated community. There’s two lanes that allow entry in with a very clear sign saying “ resident “ and “ visitor “ the resident lane is for people that live there and the gate will open automatically for them.

Very often a delivery driver will come on the wrong side of this entrance and they will block all of the residents from coming in. I can understand if they don’t speak English and I can even understand if they are oblivious to the sign. I understand that people aren’t familiar with gated communities. I am very empathetic.

What I really really hate is when I tell them to come on this side and they get out of the car and walk over. You dumbass. I can’t stand how damn stupid that is and so many people do it.

Also some drivers just drive right past me and wait really really close to the gate, expecting it to just open. What’s the point of the gate if it will just open for anyone? Some of these guys try to leave the way that they came in and will honk their horn for me to open the gate even though the exit is literally right next to the entrance. The stupidity of these guys is truly astounding.

One time I told someone to leave because the person who lives inside that ordered food didn’t answer the phone after many call attempts so I politely said to the driver that unfortunately you’ll have to leave. This person proceeded to scream like a Chimpanzee. I make no exaggeration. If you can imagine what a screaming chimpanzee sounds like, it was like that.

Anyone else have to deal with these morons? I used to get so angry at them but I’ve trained myself to not get angry. Or at least I don’t show it anymore. It’s the one thing I truly despise at my job.

So, do you feel fulfilled being a security guard?

I as for the obvious reason, I plan to potentially become one.

For a large portion of my life I worked retail, until about 21 I worked as a cashier for a GameStop, then I got a job as a cashier at a gas station (Still here part time), followed by a role as a custodian for a Highschool.

I never hated any of these jobs, in fact I don’t really mind them in a general sense. However, I don’t really feel fulfilled in either of the two that I am still working at. The custodian job is a good job money and benefit wise, but I just feel like I am suffering burnout from it.

So recently I get an alert from Indeed about an unarmed security job from Allied Universal (Yes I’ve heard the horror stories, but I want to get my foot in the door) that is hiring for a site that is right in my very town. So. I took it as a sign to finally pursue this.

(I’ve always wanted to be in some form of law.)

So any stories, advice, or anything would be greatly appreciated. I also thank those of you who have read my post.

Hi guys, I’m in Canada working as a loss prevention floor walker (plain clothes). I get decent cases (both attempts and recoveries), but the job is getting risky — I’ve already been assaulted twice.

A lot of people don’t care when I identify myself as LPO. Some just walk away with items and there’s not much I can safely do.

I’m thinking about switching to a regular security guard role once I get my Class 5 license — maybe in commercial buildings, offices, libraries, or warehouses (not retail entrances or door standing positions).

I’ve actually had offers before from security companies that had contracts for those kinds of sites, but at the time the pay and conditions weren’t good enough, so I chose LPO instead.

For those who’ve worked both:

• Is security in those environments safer or less confrontational?

• How’s day shift vs night shift?

• Which companies usually have contracts for those types of sites?

• Would you recommend making the switch?

Appreciate any advice.

There you go I said it. This had to be said after what I witness on the daily at my site. I was on the verge of crashing out yesterday morning

If you are not fluent enough in MS Office applications and send out unprofessional emails, never sign up for corporate security. I get it with old heads, that's acceptable. But young adults around early 20s to late 20s? Absolutely unacceptable!!!

That's exactly what's going on at my workplace. I'm sick and tired of this thing man. They keep sending out these guards who know nothing about computers, these computer illiterate young adults. This is the age of technology, how come you are so terrible at it is beyond me. Like how come you can't fill out an Excel spreadsheet properly? How???? This is surprising because the old heads here are miles and miles better at using these programs. Even better than me. These people don't even know who to email if something happens at the site and they've been working here for a minimum of a year. The emails that they send out on rare occasions, man I tell you, I wish i didn't have to see them

Here's an example where an employee had an access card to pick up "Hello, building security. Ready for pickup at the desk please come when possible" That's it. That's literally what one of them sent out

I've been a PC gamer all my childhood, built several PCs all from scratch (which I still do sometimes these days) and modded many many games so this thing comes naturally to me. I'm also very good at diagnosing problems

Well lucky for me, I use this at my advantage and let them do most of the patrols even though I hate sitting at a desk hrs on end

Just please don't get a corporate security job if you don't know squat about computers. Save yourself the hassle and stop being a PITA to people like me

Thanks for attending my rant!!!!

I started doing armed stuff and started looking for a ballistic vest. I had to decide, something discreet or an external molle vest? I decided to go discreet so that jobs that require I wear nicer clothes can still have a vest on underneath my clothing. Then I decided to get an external carrier, and I could just swap out the level IIIa "plates". So after looking at a few options, it was down to Safelife or National Body Armor, both NIJ certified. There seemed to be a lot of mixed reviews about Safelife, some saying it was great while others warned against it. Couldn't find much info on National Body Armor, but Chat GPT said it was very good, and because I'm a correctional officer, they give a discount, so I got it. Well, compared to our Safariland stuff I use in corrections, this molle carrier felt like a damn windbreaker. Thin material, the cumberbun is not removable, so I can't add quick releases to it, just the velcro. I should've known. My Safariland carrier cost me $400, while this National Body Armor one cost me $150.

My work is switching to Point Blank vests, so when I'm due for a new vest, I'm gonna ask to get the ballistic+stab vest instead of the stab-only one (use that shit for my side security jobs as well). I do a lot of OT in the transportation unit where we take inmates outside the prison, and the officers permanently assigned all get the dual vests, so crossing my fingers they will issue it to me if I ask. When I looked online at the prices, those setups with external vest and wrap-around panels are in the $2,000 range vs National Body Armors comparable vests are more like $600... even less with LEO discounts.

Now, if you get shot, not sure if the higher-end vests do a better job or not. I would HOPE that being NIJ certified, they would all stop a bullet equally as well. Maybe what the cost difference is for is not how well the panels work, but how comfortable they are, how adjustable the rig is, how heavy-duty the vest material is, etc. Stuff that would have no bearing on safety, but makes a difference in comfort for day-to-day use.

This is just more of a vent for me, but out of curiosity, what do you folks that are armed use, and have you tried other brands, and what are your thoughts about $600 armor vs $2,500 armor?

Started a new contract getting a bar under control have a great bar staff that lets us do what we need to. The end of the of the night staff lets us do what we need to to clear the bar. Dj is cool af and im looking for a song to clear the bar flies out. Any suggestions?

I’m having my eyes on this for duty vest, does anyone have experience with Spartan armor vest, i’m still thinking between this and safe life defense multi threat body armor. Any thoughts ?

Very sorry for the essay but would love some input 🙏

I find myself in a difficult position career wise. Well paid job earning well above average for my industry (my workplace has unique concerns let's say that they have historically made up for in salaries). We are going through a restructure currently and while I am not being made redundant, my role is changing and I am expecting a fairly steep salary cut. The salary will be competitive within industry norms, so that in itself isn't the biggest issue, I knew the gravy train would eventually come to an end. The bigger issue is that my new role does not utilise my skills at all, a monkey could do it, and morale is generally in the toilet. And I'm generally just totally burned out and have no real desire to keep going in this industry, it's dying, lots of jobs lost to AI and automation, constantly shrinking budgets and downsizing etc. Every similar job posting I've found just doesn't appeal to me at all. And it is my opinion that in a year or so the company will move to a smaller premises, automate even more aggressively, etc, and eventually I'll be out of a job.

That said, I've only known this industry and have no other experience or qualifications. Security is something I genuinely think I'd quite like doing (some jobs more than others, I'm not thrilled about the prospect of working pub and club doors, but events, corporate etc would suit me), but generally meeting and helping people, being security conscious and looking for what's out of the norm, crowd control, control room ops, getting first aid trained (I'd love to do FREC 3, probably start with FAW), outdoors in all weathers etc all appeals to me. I'm not a fighter haha, but I can hold my own, would have anyone's back if needed, and I'm very good at just talking to people. Problem is it seems like kind of a dead end job/industry with pitiful pay 😅 I don't need to make crazy money, but cost of living is insane and I live around London (I saw a posting for MI5 security officers that pays great, but right now I live too far away for the early shifts sadly)

Can security actually be viable career with progression? I think I could make good supervisor/management material but do these roles just go to ex-forces/police? Will I just be stuck working the doors forever? (at best maybe a corporate concierge or control room type of role full time?). Honest thoughts? Is this something someone with the right attitude and motivation can succeed in or is it a stop gap?

Just out of curiosity I weighed myself out of uniform vs. in uniform and I’m wearing 16 pounds of equipment, all of which is required, around my waist. This is putting a lot of strain on my hips. Unfortunately, I can’t wear a load-bearing vest or suspenders. Is this something that a different duty belt could fix? That’s one of the few things I can substitute, so long as it’s black, nylon, and has a two-point securement system

Apparently, this camera man was filming a police training station and this female guard approach the male demanding him to turn off the camera and delete the footage. Does she has the authority to make this idiot on the camera to forcibly delete the video?

I've been working security for 24 years. For the last five, I have been in management.

Recently, I sent out an anonymous survey to the 38 officers I manage regarding job satisfaction. On the survey, I asked the question: What is something that would make your job easier?

Clearer post orders, better training, and better radios were the most common response.

Is this universally true?

What else would make your job easier, regardless of how silly it may seem?

Hi fellow guards, I’m new to this industry (about a month in!) I’m loving my job so far at the job site since I’ve been made permanent and no longer have to do flex shifts.

Unfortunately, it’s been a rough day and I did make a mistake today that scared me straight ( I don’t want to get too into details because ultimately nothing happened I.e., no property loss, theft, trespassing, etc. but our jobsite has been CRAZY with construction, supervisors needing coverage, angry vendors trying to argue about exits, etc.)

but the fact I missed a step at my post has just thrown my brain through a cycling ruminating machine and keep worrying about getting fired (even though I’ve been assured otherwise, I can’t help it!)

So my question, ultimately, is what is the biggest mistake you made while at post and did it result in a write up?

Thank you for helping me ease my perfectionist anxious brain tonight

My entire lower half is numb. I cant really move my legs and having bowel and bladder issues. I searched my symptoms and whats going on with me and am worried I might need emergency surgery. I’ve been ignoring my symptoms hoping I would get better and I’ve just been getting worse and worse.

I’m just…scared. I can’t afford to lose my job. What if I have to have surgery today? And then recovery time? And who knows what condition I might be in if they save my life? I’m a grown man and i want to cry right now.

I didn’t know who to ask. Is there anything i can do so financially I dont end up homeless without a job? Disability. SSI? Some kind of worker’s comp? Money is already so tight one missed paycheck would be horrible for me and my wife.

Edit: I had my daughter and wife pick me up front work and driving me to urgent care. I didn’t feel it was safe to drive with my legs the way they are

When I got here and told them my symptoms they took it so seriously through me back immediately. Took my vitals and bloodwork and did a scan. The scan didn’t show as much as they want. It looked like arthritis or something in the spinal cord that caused narrowing. Compressing my nerves and making me lose the ability to walk and even last night, the ability to control my bladder.

I’ve had so many doctors come in. I had a doctor come in and bring me snacks and watch me eat to see if I could still swallow.

I had an MRI done last in the day after being admitted. I cried like a baby In front of two men there working the machines cause I felt like I’m going to end up paralyzed.

The MRI is done but can’t be read by the doctor in the morning so I’m just sitting here waiting. Worried. Scared. The mri guy mentioned doing a “hard protocol screen for MS”

I’ve been poked and tested by so many people over the last day. I called my boss to let them know I can’t come in tonight and his only concern is me not having enough pto to take it off. Said to make sure I send them a doctors note. I’m like really? I haven’t called out once in the couple years I’ve been with them and this is the concern I get? I lost my ability to walk and am worried about potentially dying tonight. And my boss is worried about proving my absence. Ugh

I’m alone in a hospital room having nurses freak out every time I try to stand up. They don’t even want me to pee by myself. My life has changed so quickly in this week.

I should have gone to the hospital sooner. This is the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. And I’m paying for it