Private Security Bashing

[Smoke]

I am a licensed private security officer in the state of Colorado. It isn't the job I would have picked, as a matter of fact I was in college pursuing a degree in healthcare after the economy tanked and I lost my job as a machinist and took this job to support my family .

When Obamacare killed any chance I had of getting a job in the medical field (while leaving me 30K in debt for a degree I will never use) I opted to stay with the company I'm with.

The site I work on has no public access and the only time I interact with the general public is when someone turns up lost at my gate and when that happens I try to be knowledgeable about the business in my area so that I can direct them to the proper location.

I don't flash my gun, I don't pretend authority I don't have and I never had an interest in a career in law enforcement (IOW I'm not some wannabe that washed out of the police academy.) and I don't think I'm "in charge" of the site I work on. I'm just a guy caught by circumstance trying to make a living.

I know I'm not going to change it (I also know that some of you are going to use this thread as an opportunity to talk smack about anyone in the security field) but it bothers me to be referred to as a "mall cop" or a "wannabe" or a "flashlight cop". It also bothers me when people assume that security guard = loser.

The next time you run into a security guard why not look past the stereotype and realize that you're dealing with another human being with bills to pay and (likely) a family to feed who very likely doesn't want to be there anymore than you do and knows that you think he's a loser before he even opens his mouth and cut him/ her some slack

 

[Jyezahn]

Good point you made. But how did Obamacare (I don't care for it any more than the next guy) cause you not to be able to get a job that uses your degree? The healthcare industry still needs the same people to do the jobs, right?

 

[shouldazagged]

Well said.

 

[mkk41]

No doubt there's some decent hard working security guards that don't fit the stereotype of a 'wanna-be cop'. But like any profession , they're the ones who get noticed , make the press/news , get talked about and made sport of.

It ain't personal. Don't take it that way.

If ya ain't noticed , actual cops get their share of grief around here too.

Just read about 2 Manhatten cops who shot at a disturbed but unarmed man*. Missed him , but hit 2 innocent bystanders!


*updated

 

[Smoke]

Good point you made. But how did Obamacare (I don't care for it any more than the next guy) cause you not to be able to get a job that uses your degree? The healthcare industry still needs the same people to do the jobs, right?

I don't understand the economics of the healthcare industry but apparently obamacare is going to make it costlier to run a clinic now and physicians are cutting staff. People assume that doctors are rolling in the dough but both the clinics I worked in were barely showing a profit.

In my field most placements are through staffing agencies and every one of them in town won't even accept your resume unless you can show two years of recent clinical experience.

I haven't bothered to put my resume out there for over two years but the last time I did the only nibbles I got were from staffing agencies that wanted my to give up my full time gig for a 6 week temp position and a "maybe they'll hire you at the end of it."
The last clinic I worked in replaced me with a CNA for 3 dollars an hour less than what they paid me

 

[41RF]

Sadly, as with many other professions, it seems to be the small minority of jerks who get remembered. From your post, I am sure your demeanor is professional and polite. Reasonable people respond favorably to decent treatment; but there are all kinds out there, and one cannot tell what's in their heads. Based on my limited experiences as a range safety officer, I recommend a thick skin and understanding, while remaining prepared for anything, anything at all. All most of us can do is try to change perceptions one person at a time. Good Luck!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

We all do what we have to do, and life is all situational. A lot of people look at dentists as "wanna be" doctor losers who washed out of medical school. Never mind that some dentists earn more than most doctors or that they always wanted to be dentists. Obviously there is a need for security guards and like any other job, security guards can imagine something or somewhere else they would rather be under more ideal circumstances. I aspire to the title of "Lottery Winner". Good luck to you.

 

[Erich]

I've found private security people to be uniformly eager to help when approached, and always appreciative of being addressed as "Officer." Folks are folks - it's like anything else, I imagine: you usually get out of an interaction what you put into it.

Our subdivision hires private security officers, and I think pretty much everyone who lives here is delighted about their presence. They get a lot of waves . . .

 

[Waddy]

Much the same as the psyco killers and slob shooters and hunters get all the press, when they are the tiniest majority. It's infuriating!! All we can do is the be the very best example we can be and be very proud of who we are and what we do. Keep your head up, a smile on your face (VERY difficult at times), and be the best you can be. Best of luck.

 

[S&W45Colt]

You are doing your best for your family, you have my respect..end of story for me. I don't care what you are doing to get it done as long as it's moral, the point is you are trying your best, that's one of the key tenets of being a man in my book.

 

[427mach1]

You are doing your best for your family, you have my respect..end of story for me. I don't care what you are doing to get it done as long as it's moral, the point is you are trying your best, that's one of the key tenets of being a man in my book.

Amen to that. As long as he is working, contributing to society, and is not a habitual welfare recipient, I will never make fun of what a man does for a living.

 

[dant]

A job, is a job, is a job, and no, you are NOT going to make folks, think one way or the other as to what they have seen, experienced over the years, and dealt with, so kinda have to go case by case, in any and all dealings, not everybody looks GOOD in a uniform, and lots of people have NO use for anyone that "is in a position of authority" they have to come or go by YOU....having been the "night watchman at the light bulb factory" or the "gate man at the still mill", and yes, "mall cop", traffic detail for Santas at X-mas, and on and on and on and on, mainly 35 years "in and doing security" and having been a commissioned police offer early on, I found to make MORE money in "private security" than going "full time" city police, two friends I took the police test with were both killed " on duty" and that could have been ME, but I went to and stayed at it ended finally at GE , retired from there, and ain't looking back....we fought fires, fought with people, even did our stint on the local fire department, both at the same time too.......hang in there, think POSITIVE, and do the best job you can do, do not give the 'naysayers' any reason to doubt this.

 

[jaykellogg]

Regarding the medical training, hang in there. The Government is cutting reimbursement to everyone in the healthcare field, but soon thousands of folks will have some level of insurance so there will be demand on the front lines.

How people can ignore what actually makes healthcare expensive and say "we're just going to pay less" is beyond me. I believe you are going to see more clinics that do not take Government healthcare payments

 

[amazingflapjack]

Never sounds like a long time. I try not to box myself in with words like that. Blaming someone else has also proved a fruitless pursuit for me, especially when that blame becomes resentment, which just kills the possibility of a new and positive outlook. I choose to see a better door open when one closes. It matters very little what someone else thinks about what I am doing, but I have found that it will pay dividends in my life and family if I approach what I am doing with a proper attitude of gratitude. Amazingflapjack (wise old Phardt)

 

[sipowicz]

A general rule of thumb that I follow is to treat everyone with respect no matter what their station in life. That goes for the busboy who fills your water glass and the guy in the chicken suit outside your fast food restaurant. I've been paid handsomely to write TV shows and I've also done hourly work in private security...as of late, more so in the latter. I consider myself lucky to have another line of work to fall back on.

 

[Old TexMex]

Private security is important (my employer says "essential"). Having medical background/ firefighting is a great enhancement. Lots of room for growth in the field when you keep high standards and look for opportunity, and stay on top of training and technical advances.
Hang in there, those that matter will most likely appreciate you.

 

[Kanewpadle]

It can happen in any profession so don't take it personal.

I'm a professional locksmith. Some folks idea of a locksmith is some illiterate slovenly old dude with a big potbelly and a huge belt buckle driving a beat up old van.

Then I pull up in a clearly marked 2012 Mercedes Sprinter van completely outfitted with everything I need. I wear a uniform, no potbelly or butt crack showing.

It's all about perception and people's willingness to pass judgement on someone they don't even know.

Professionalism, pride, integrity, and attention to detail is where it's at.

 

[gregintenn]

I am a licensed private security officer in the state of Colorado. It isn't the job I would have picked, as a matter of fact I was in college pursuing a degree in healthcare after the economy tanked and I lost my job as a machinist and took this job to support my family .

When Obamacare killed any chance I had of getting a job in the medical field (while leaving me 30K in debt for a degree I will never use) I opted to stay with the company I'm with.

The site I work on has no public access and the only time I interact with the general public is when someone turns up lost at my gate and when that happens I try to be knowledgeable about the business in my area so that I can direct them to the proper location.

I don't flash my gun, I don't pretend authority I don't have and I never had an interest in a career in law enforcement (IOW I'm not some wannabe that washed out of the police academy.) and I don't think I'm "in charge" of the site I work on. I'm just a guy caught by circumstance trying to make a living.

I know I'm not going to change it (I also know that some of you are going to use this thread as an opportunity to talk smack about anyone in the security field) but it bothers me to be referred to as a "mall cop" or a "wannabe" or a "flashlight cop". It also bothers me when people assume that security guard = loser.

The next time you run into a security guard why not look past the stereotype and realize that you're dealing with another human being with bills to pay and (likely) a family to feed who very likely doesn't want to be there anymore than you do and knows that you think he's a loser before he even opens his mouth and cut him/ her some slack

Don't sweat what other people think. Most of them aren't thinking at all 99% of the time.

I admire any man who earns an honest living and doesn't try to be a jerk while doing it.

I don't consider anyone who is working a loser until they give me reason to think so. I am odd I suppose, but I have the same respect for the guy scrubbing the toilets as I do for the president of the company, all other things being equal.

 

[427mach1]

I work for a defense contractor that employees several security guards, many of whom were previously employed by Atlanta-area police agencies. The security guards make MUCH better pay than they did in their previous job, don't have the stress of dealing with the general public, don't get shot at, and have better benefits. Smoke, keep doing what you are doing and look for better security gigs (assuming you are looking for a better job); they are out there and with some experience you can qualify.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

A general rule of thumb that I follow is to treat everyone with respect no matter what their station in life. That goes for the busboy who fills your water glass and the guy in the chicken suit outside your fast food restaurant. I've been paid handsomely to write TV shows and I've also done hourly work in private security...as of late, more so in the latter. I consider myself lucky to have another line of work to fall back on.

Sip is absolutely correct. And he walks the walk instead of just talking the talk. You ought to see how well he treats his kids' nanny!!