Relationships With the Local Police

Relationships With the Local Police

  • Relationships are based on mutual trust and respect for each others roles, duties and responsibilities.
  • Both the Security Officer and Police Officer have the same goals and objectives, which are to protect persons and property.
  • The methods and procedures each is authorized to use may vary but the purpose is identical.
  • Relationships are best developed when open communications exist between both public safety entities.

Factors which may assist the security officer in developing effective police/security relationships:

  • Security officer needs to know what their job requires and when they should involve the police in deterring crime.
  • Police need to understand the security officer’s role and how to best combine each other’s duties and responsibilities for the benefit of those they both are obligated to protect.
  • Security officer needs to have a competent understanding of what constitutes a law violation to avoid having the police respond to non-criminal behavior, which is outside their jurisdiction.
  • The best possible relationship involves both the police and security officer sharing information about potential or real problems that exist within each other’s area so that both parties can be aware of conditions which affect each other’s ability to provide professional protection services.
  • The security officer should let the police do their job and the police needs to let security do their job. In this manner, both police and security are working within their designated boundaries that are much more effective than providing overlapping services.
  • One major key to successful relations is that when the police are requested, it is for a legitimate and legal reason. This requires the security officer to know what law was violated and the need for police intervention is necessary.