NY Security Guard cheat sheet

Patrol patterns: fixed post (stationary), random (irregular timing to defeat prediction), and roving (continuous route with checkpoints).

A patrol clock or checkpoint system documents each round; missed or out-of-sequence checkpoints indicate a gap in coverage.

Observation rule: note time, location, subject description (height, build, clothing, distinguishing marks), and direction of travel.

CCTV monitors are aids, not replacements for physical patrol; camera blind spots must be covered by foot patrol.

Perimeter check order: doors, windows, gates, fences, lighting, and access points - record each as secure, damaged, or unsecured.

Suspicious-activity threshold: behavior that is unusual for the time, place, or setting warrants observation and documentation, not confrontation.

Two-person rule for entering unlit, isolated, or high-risk areas; never enter alone without notifying a supervisor or dispatch.

Use plain, factual language in logs; avoid conclusions such as 'looked guilty' in favor of observable descriptions.

Three verification elements: something you have (badge/key), something you know (PIN/code), something you are (biometric).

Positive ID check: compare the credential photo and name to the person, and confirm the credential is valid, unexpired, and authorized for that area.

Tailgating/piggybacking prevention: one person per credential swipe; politely stop and redirect anyone entering on another person's credential.

Visitor flow: sign-in, identity verification, badge issuance, escort or area restriction, sign-out, and badge recovery.

Least-privilege rule: grant only the access level required for the visitor's or employee's stated purpose.

Escorted visitors must remain with their escort; unescorted access requires documented authorization.

Lost or unreturned credentials are reported immediately and deactivated or logged as a security event.

Challenge procedure: approach calmly, state your role, ask for identification, and escalate to a supervisor if verification fails.

Life-safety priority order: personal safety, then protection of others, then property, then documentation.

Notification chain: call 911 for fire, medical, or crime in progress; then notify site supervisor and building management per post orders.

Evacuation roles: alarm activation, route direction, stairwell monitoring, assembly-point headcount, and reporting missing persons.

Fire response: never use elevators, stay low under smoke, feel doors before opening, and use stairs to the designated assembly area.

Shelter-in-place applies to hazardous-material release or severe weather; close windows and doors, shut off HVAC if directed, and await the all-clear.

Lockdown differs from shelter-in-place: lockdown secures against a threat inside or nearby; no one enters or leaves until cleared by law enforcement.

Emergency contact information (dispatch, supervisor, fire, police, building engineer) must be immediately available at every post.

After-action reporting: capture timeline, actions taken, agencies notified, injuries, and property damage while details are fresh.

Incident report elements: who, what, when, where, why/how, actions taken, witnesses, and disposition.

Write in first person, past tense, chronological order, using objective and observable facts only.

Distinguish fact from opinion: 'subject smelled of alcohol and slurred speech' is factual; 'subject was drunk' is a conclusion.

Never alter or destroy a report; corrections are made by adding a dated, initialed addendum.

Quote direct statements verbatim in quotation marks rather than paraphrasing key admissions.

Record exact times from a single reliable clock source and note that source.

Do not include speculation about fault, liability, or guilt; those determinations belong to investigators and courts.

Reports are confidential and released only to authorized parties per policy and applicable law.

Service standard: acknowledge a person within a few seconds, identify yourself, and state how you can help.

Directional assistance: give clear landmarks, distances, and left/right turns rather than pointing or vague references.

Accessibility: offer assistance to people with disabilities but wait for acceptance; do not grab wheelchairs, canes, or service animals.

De-escalation steps: lower voice, maintain safe distance, listen without interrupting, acknowledge the concern, and offer a concrete option.

Medical assistance: call 911 for emergencies; do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger, and do not give medical advice.

Lost-person protocol: obtain a description, last known location, and time; notify supervisor and other posts; do not conduct an uncoordinated search alone.

Complaint handling: record the details, avoid promising outcomes, and route to the appropriate manager.

Do not release tenant, employee, or visitor information to unauthorized requesters, including over the phone.

Retail: focus on high-shrink areas, deter through visible presence, and observe rather than physically detain unless policy and law permit.

Construction site: verify after-hours access, check fencing, lighting, and stored-material security, and log all vehicle entries.

Office building: enforce badge access, control loading-dock and delivery traffic, and verify after-hours visitors against an approved list.

Healthcare: protect patient privacy (limit information disclosure), control access to restricted units, and coordinate with clinical staff.

Residential: verify resident and guest access, log packages and contractors, and patrol parking and common areas.

Event venue: manage crowd flow, check credentials at entry points, and maintain clear egress routes at all times.

Parking facility: patrol stairwells, elevators, and isolated levels; report burned-out lighting and blocked exits.

Each post has written post orders that override general habits; follow the site-specific orders for that location.