[Freakinoldguy]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

llama66 llama66:

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

As to security guards demanding my ID the last time I had someone in a suit demand my ID and simultaneously ordered me to remove my sunglasses I told him he was free to try to take off my sunglasses.

Wow such anger to my chosen profession. :p

Not at you, but yes. Too many security guards fantasize themselves as Wyatt Earp and think their rent-a-pig badge means something...especially off of the property in their charge.

Once they step foot off of their property they're just an asshole with an attitude.

In America maybe but here it's usually just some guy who's trying to make a buck so he can keep a roof over his head. Very rarely do we see security personnel who have the attitude you describe.

Although I do have a theory about the difference and it's that in the States your security personnel carry guns more often than not which is empowering and attracts the people who aren't mentally geared towards defusing "situations" rather than throwing down which leads to alot more confrontations, injuries and deaths at their hands.

Whereas in Canada our security personnel's lack of enforcement equipment falls short. Most don't have anything more than a radio and a uniform to ensure their safety and have to rely on their wits and intellect to keep from having their asses handed to them.

Big difference.

[BartSimpson]

"Big difference"

Agreed. This is going to contribute to why Llama isn't an asshole but the asshole at Wal Mart who assaults people for not showing their receipts...well, they're not armed so what's their excuse?

[Freakinoldguy]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

"Big difference"

Agreed. This is going to contribute to why Llama isn't an asshole but the asshole at Wal Mart who assaults people for not showing their receipts...well, they're not armed so what's their excuse?

Once again America vs Canada. I've never seen anyone stopped for not showing a receipt in our Walmarts. We're free to walk out and the only time they stop someone and ask to see the receipt is if the scanner beeps and to be honest I've never seen a person run after that scanner has sounded either. Most people politely wait till the 75 year old or the disabled gentleman or woman comes over and confirms why their bag beeped.

So maybe it's the assholes that get hired down there that are the problem not the jobs they do?

[BartSimpson]

Hmph.

[rickc]

Security is one of those thankless jobs where you are damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Companies like to hire security guards for the false sense of security that they provide, and the savings on their insurance premiums. When security guards actually have to do more than just stand around (as in go hands on), companies are quick to throw the guards under the bus. At the casino that I work at I have seen one guard fired for "not doing enough" . The guard had just came on shift. Some random guy ran by him only to be followed by more guards a minute later. When supervisors looked at the video later, they bitched out the guard for not stopping the man. The guard had no idea what was going on. You can't just tackle someone for running, maybe he was missing his shuttle to the airport, cab ride to a show, etc. The guard got screwed, and fired.

I seen another guard who had been there for almost 15 years get fired for going hands on. He was told to remove an unruly drunk customer that was using profanity, spilling drinks, and passing out at a blackjack table. The customer did not want to go quietly so the guard went hands on. The man fell to the floor and started making a scene about how the guard had dislocated his shoulder. The casino fired the guard to cover their own asses in case of a lawsuit. Total crock of shit. Now these were unarmed guards. They were also giants among men. Their mere presence usually deescalated a situation, usually. I know that I would have never given them any shit no matter how shit faced I was. I would have instantly been on my best behavior, "yes sir, no sir".

One major difference between the two countries is in how we treat out armed guards. I found this video online about security guards in Canada. In the video an armed guard shoots an armed robber and stops his armed robbery attempt. In the video the RCMP are stating that the guard MAY face criminal charges. That boggles the mind. In most states, not all (the usual extreme left wing suspects) there would be no debate whatsoever. An armed guard shoots an armed robber and thwarts an attack? Pin a medal on him and promote him.

[llama66]

Rickc... it’s form, they have to charge, then usually the crown drops the charge down the road. It’s a big bag of bullshit.
As for rent-o-cop attitudes, I’ve seen many, many people work this industry who have no business in it. I’ve gotten in trouble for “not doing enough “ myself. Tenant wanted me to physically remove someone while I was alone. ... I was not a happy camper when my boss spoke to me..

Security is not the industry it once was. The spectre of lawsuits has neutered most companies.. most uniformed security companies have a hands off policy now.

[Tricks]

Having worked primarily event security, like concerts and festivals, most of the guards I worked with were pretty reasonable. We would let a lot of shit slide if the people were polite. Once they copped an attitude we dropped the nice guy routine and gave them attitude right back.

[llama66]

Exactly. If you want to be reasonable, so can I. If you want to be a fuckwit, again, so can I.


I'm surprised that she was stopped 3 times in the same mall, usually the guard that initiated contact, would radio control and they would note there was a service animal so when the next guard radioed there was a service animal in the centre, control (if they were doing their job) would tell them they knew and the guard wouldn't look like a moron. To happen 3 times in the same place tells me the Security Team needs some education and training.