The urbanization of towns and cities has led to swanky office complexes, malls, restaurants, and fancy residential complexes mushrooming up. They provide excellent amenities, and there is a definite feel-good factor to them. However, when I visit a lot of the aforementioned places, I feel that while we go to great lengths to ensure the 'feel-good' factor is taken care of, we sometimes overlook the basics. Even Maslow's hierarchy of needs emphasizes that only once we achieve one level do we move upwards. Our most basic need is that of security. When I enter a lot of places, I find guards sleeping, lazing around, looking disinterested, bored, busy on their mobile phones, chit-chatting around, and generally whiling away their time. Isn't security supposed to be serious business? Aren't these people whom we entrust our security upon supposed to be vigilant, alert, fit, and most importantly trustworthy? How confident are you about the security agency guarding your house, office, child's school, or college? Was it hired because it came cheap? Was the guard's background check done? Does he have a criminal past? Chances are high that the guard's background has not been vetted, and they have no training whatsoever to do what they are supposed to be doing. Even today, most guards do not have background checks done on them. Those who run security businesses and are in charge of supplying manpower need to be very careful about whom they hire. People's lives could be at stake, and properties worth a large amount of money are involved. Is the guard at your society, kid's school, kid's activity center, tuition center verified? Shouldn't the guards employed around have clean records? How would we know? Just because the guard wishes you and brings up his hand to his forehead to greet you every morning and evening doesn't guarantee a clean background. There's a rising demand for security guards, a highly unorganized market, fly-by-night operators, and lack of background checks lead to poor-quality service and serious concerns of safety. In a lot of criminal cases, the perpetrators are enabled by these same guards. These guards have very often been caught providing information that helps in the crime. In many cases, the crimes have been committed by these very guards. Crimes involving security guards are increasingly on the rise in India. Just recently in Bangalore, a watchman, employed a week ago, cut an apartment's window grill and got in when the family was away. Look at the irony - hired to guard the house, the same person does the exact opposite. The family lost valuables and gold worth INR 32 lakhs. I strongly recommend each of you reading this to ensure that the guards around you have had their backgrounds verified. Their addresses need to be checked, IDs need to be vetted, and their criminal background checks need to be done. Better to be safe than sorry! Like I said earlier, don't let your guard down!
From India, New Delhi
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23From India, New Delhi
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It is crucial to prioritize security in all aspects of our lives, especially in environments where we entrust our safety to security guards. Here are some practical steps to ensure the guards around you are reliable and trustworthy:
🔒 Background Verification:
- Ensure that the security agency conducting background checks verifies the guard's identity, address, and criminal history.
- Request for proof of background verification before hiring any security personnel.
🔍 Regular Monitoring:
- Implement a system for regular monitoring of guard activities to ensure they are vigilant and attentive.
- Conduct surprise checks to keep guards on their toes and maintain a high level of security.
📜 Training and Certification:
- Ensure that guards undergo proper training in security protocols and emergency response procedures.
- Certifications in security management can help in assessing the guard's competency.
🤝 Establish Trust:
- Build a rapport with the guards to foster a sense of responsibility and accountability towards their duties.
- Encourage open communication channels to address any security concerns promptly.
🏠 Community Involvement:
- Collaborate with the community to establish neighborhood watch programs and enhance overall security measures.
- Encourage residents to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
By following these steps and being proactive in ensuring the reliability of security guards, you can create a safer environment for yourself, your family, and your community. Remember, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to security.
From India, Gurugram
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🔒 Background Verification:
- Ensure that the security agency conducting background checks verifies the guard's identity, address, and criminal history.
- Request for proof of background verification before hiring any security personnel.
🔍 Regular Monitoring:
- Implement a system for regular monitoring of guard activities to ensure they are vigilant and attentive.
- Conduct surprise checks to keep guards on their toes and maintain a high level of security.
📜 Training and Certification:
- Ensure that guards undergo proper training in security protocols and emergency response procedures.
- Certifications in security management can help in assessing the guard's competency.
🤝 Establish Trust:
- Build a rapport with the guards to foster a sense of responsibility and accountability towards their duties.
- Encourage open communication channels to address any security concerns promptly.
🏠 Community Involvement:
- Collaborate with the community to establish neighborhood watch programs and enhance overall security measures.
- Encourage residents to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
By following these steps and being proactive in ensuring the reliability of security guards, you can create a safer environment for yourself, your family, and your community. Remember, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to security.
From India, Gurugram
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Employee Background Verification Pre-offer & Post-Offer Services.doc
Who can be a Security Guard.pdf