Surveillance and Patrol
Purpose and posture
Surveillance and patrol exist to deter problems, detect them early, and document what you observe. A security officer is a witness and reporter, not a police officer: observe, record, report, and only intervene physically within the limits of training, post orders, and law.
Key concepts
- Patrol methods: foot patrol (best observation, limited coverage), vehicle patrol (wide coverage, less detail), bicycle patrol (balance of both). Understand random vs. fixed patrol patterns and why unpredictability deters.
- Coverage: know what a post order is - written instructions specific to your site that override general habit. When a question asks what you should do at a particular location, the post order is usually the safest answer.
- Observation skills: baseline behavior, anomalies, lighting and sightlines, blind spots, and the concept of concentric rings (checking outward from your post).
- Reporting chain: observe → report to supervisor/dispatch → document. Never assume someone else reported it.
Traps candidates fall for
- Choosing "confront and detain" when the correct answer is "observe and report."
- Forgetting that post orders trump personal preference but never override law or safety.
- Assuming a fixed patrol route is always best - predictability helps intruders.
- Ignoring the need to vary patrol timing and route.
Worked example
You notice a propped-open rear door on your third round. The best response: do not enter alone or confront anyone; note the time and location, secure or report per post orders, notify dispatch/supervisor, and write an incident report. Rule of thumb: If it's not an emergency, you watch, you report, you write.