Off-duty police officers may have certain skills, but that doesn't mean they can only work for one type of business. Officers can take on several different types of tasks, and these can often apply to various businesses.
Whether it's a busy office floor or a petrochemical plant, police can help out with a long list of possible job assignments. In this and the following blog, we will list some of these examples and what officers can do in a manner that security guards can't.
Termination Management
During a large-scale employee termination, emotions will likely run high. Companies often use uniformed or plainclothes off-duty officers to offer reassurance when the time comes.
"During a large-scale employee termination, emotions will likely run high."
In most cases, employee termination occurs only after deliberation and planning. The employer will hopefully have enough time to take several factors into account, including how volatile the terminated employee might be, the reason for their termination and any adverse actions they might take in response.
Just the presence of the police often sends signals to workers not to act rashly. However, should a situation escalate, a police officer will have both the training and the authority to control the situation.
Turn Around Operations
In industrial plants, vast numbers of workers can come and go to take care of cleaning, maintenance and other critical tasks. Emotions can be high here, too, because time is of the essence, and the anxious workers moving quickly through the space could pose safety and security problems.
"In industrial plants, vast numbers of workers can come and go."
Usually, the employer wants the job done quickly to save money and to return to full production. Off-duty police officers may be most useful in traffic control, access control and general patrol assignments to get massive crowds of people through tight spaces without incident. They can also deter criminal or other behavior that is against company interests.
Their legal authority gives them an advantage over security officers because the off-duty police have traffic control authority and they step in to keep the peace when a situation threatens to get out of hand. A police officer is really an all-in-one deal when it comes to these operations, bringing a variety of skill sets to bear.
Supplement Existing Security Guard Coverage
This is another area that can apply to several venues. As we've said before, there are certain things that security guards can't usually do, but that doesn't mean there isn't something they can contribute. It might be best to think of the pros and cons of each and have them work together.
If you're overseeing event security, for example, the guards can fulfill their duty to "observe and report" while the police officers stand ready to take action as needed. In an industrial turnaround situation, the off-duty police officers can enhance the existing presence of security guards.
We're just getting started, so be sure to return for Part II. You can also contact us for more information about any of our off-duty police services.
