How to Create Effective Procedures for Contract Security

Campuses and their contract security providers must work together to develop appropriate post orders and manuals so security operations run smoothly.

Fire emergencies are an example and would require training and post orders on what to do when a fire alarm sounds, what are the evacuation procedures, what notifications should be made, how to work with emergency responders and the location of critical equipment. This information serves to better center the post orders to the campus client by creating a list of appropriate responses to the client’s most probable risks.

Legal issues that the client must address include the use of force, arrest authority, criminal trespass and records-keeping documentation. Contract security officers may have the legal right to make a citizen’s arrest, but the client’s policy may forbid any form of detention. This is an example of a situation where a contract security company’s general policies and the campus’ policies must be integrated into a procedure that complies with the client’s requirements and the contract officer’s legal authority. 

Campus Should Review Post Orders, Operating Procedures

Once a draft of a post order or operating procedure is developed by the contract security provider, it should be submitted and reviewed by the campus client. Revisions are a collaborative process. Once approved, it is the campus client’s responsibility to notify its employees of changes in procedures and practices, and it is the contract service’s responsibility to train the security staff.  

Feedback from staff implementing the policy should be reviewed and procedures adjusted as required. Operating procedures should be reviewed at regular intervals and formally reviewed on a schedule. Using a standard template for operating procedures, noting who wrote and approved the procedure, the date it was approved and providing a review date will aid in the updating process.

Training to the post orders and operating procedures is also a joint responsibility for the client and the contract security provider. For example, the campus client’s training should include joint programs with security and employees for emergency procedures during evacuations or sheltering in place. The contract security provider should be using the security manual as a template for a security officer training checklist.

Campuses, Contract Security Should Partner

Contract security companies that engage clients in the process of developing post order and operating procedures will benefit by creating client centered security manuals. This will lead to an integrated set of security protocols that implement the campus’ security management program. The end result will be a smoothly run daily security operation focused on current operational pol
icies and adapting to change in real time. In a crisis, when time lost is a jeopardy to life, property and revenue, contracted security staff will respond within the parameters of a campus client’s standard operating policies as extensions of the client’s own personnel. 

George Okaty is the director of safety and security at Tidewater Community College, and he can be reached at gokaty@tcc.edu. Yan Byalik is a security manager at Top Guard Security Inc, and he can be reached at YByalik@topguardinc.com.

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