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If you're just starting out as a security guard and recently finished training, you may be a little concerned about what's in store for you. Of course, you probably went over some scenarios in your security education, but there are numerous other situations that you may not have thought about. To prepare yourself, you might want to talk to other security guards to see what types of situations they have had to deal with. Below are common situations that security guards may find themselves in.

Shoplifting

Mall or store security constantly have to deal with shoplifters. You were probably given information on the way to handle thieves or shoplifters in your job instruction. Based on the seriousness of their crime, you might want to bring in the authorities. The main things to look for to be able to spot a shoplifter are people who are just "hanging out" at the store, somebody who comes in repeatedly but never buys anything, and someone who has a big bag or backpack and seems to be shuffling it around a great deal.

Protecting A Business

You might get an assignment to be the security guard for some type of corporation. Your duties might include checking people in when they enter the building to make sure that they do not carry any weapons. Perhaps only particular people are allowed to enter the building at all and you will be responsible for making sure only those who are specified are the only people who enter. Hospital security guards deal with these types of situations all the time. You may need to understand how security camera and surveillance equipment works to monitor the exterior of the building. Any shady activity going on around the outside of the building would need to be checked out. You might have to report that activity if you feel that it interferes with the law.

Night Watch

Some situations demand a night watchman. There can be a property or a building which needs to be watched constantly to be certain that there's no suspicious activity at all on the property or in the building. As a night watch security guard, you might have to make rounds to make certain that nobody and nothing is disturbing the property.

Apart from thinking of some of these situations, sometimes it is just a matter of doing. You can learn every possible issue that might arise as a security guard, but actually doing the work may be the best defense. Sometimes a security guard will receive a different assignment every single day, subjecting you to a multitude of situations. Regardless how much you prepare yourself, you can never be certian what you will face on the job. No matter what, have confidence in your security officer training, and recognize that you will do fine.