The role of a security guard and how HRM can adapt this under-utilized resource.

Security guards play an essential yet often underappreciated role in the safety and stability of our communities. In fact, there are more security guards than police officers in many areas, making them one of the largest groups of public-facing safety professionals. Despite their numbers, security guards are frequently underutilized, with many people overlooking the critical support they provide in safeguarding businesses, properties, and public spaces.

The presence of security guards offers a powerful advantage in terms of prevention and response, as they are embedded in businesses and neighborhoods where law enforcement may not have a constant presence. Security guards serve as highly visible deterrents against crime, providing ongoing, localized monitoring that would be challenging for police forces to sustain due to limited resources and higher-demand priorities. This close connection to specific locations allows security guards to build familiarity with their environments and the people within them, identifying unusual activity quickly and often addressing it before situations escalate.

However, while their numbers and strategic placements are a huge asset to the safety landscape, security guards are frequently underutilized. Many communities and businesses miss the opportunity to fully integrate security guards into broader safety and emergency preparedness plans. With more support, training, and recognition, security guards could take on an even greater role, working alongside law enforcement, businesses, and community organizations to contribute to public safety more proactively.

Expanding the role of security guards, leveraging their numbers, and fully recognizing their impact could greatly enhance community security. This approach would not only alleviate some of the pressure on police forces but also empower security guards to contribute even more meaningfully to the safety, peace, and trust that help communities and businesses thrive.

The future of security guards is evolving as they become increasingly integral to community safety and business operations. As communities grow and face complex security challenges, the role of security guards is expanding beyond traditional duties of surveillance and incident response to become a proactive, community-centered service. By working within the community and alongside law enforcement and community organizations, security guards are poised to take on roles that emphasize prevention, safety awareness, and public trust.

The Halifax region could greatly benefit from rethinking its security practices by fully integrating security guards into its community safety framework. As Halifax grows and faces evolving security needs, the role of security guards could be expanded beyond the traditional boundaries of private property protection to encompass a community-centered approach to public safety. By strategically utilizing security guards in this way, the region could not only strengthen safety but also foster stronger community relations and make more efficient use of law enforcement resources.

Currently, security guards are a largely untapped resource, despite their substantial presence across the city. Many communities and businesses rely solely on police services to handle public safety, yet security guards outnumber police in many areas and have the advantage of being positioned directly within neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and public spaces. By training and empowering these guards to take on more community-focused responsibilities—such as monitoring high-traffic areas, assisting in crowd control during events, and working with local residents to report suspicious activity—Halifax could create a proactive, responsive safety network that complements police efforts.

Security guards could also be equipped and trained to address specific issues within Halifax, such as managing nightlife safety in popular districts, maintaining a visible presence in public transit areas, or assisting with crowd control in busy parks and event spaces. By placing them in high-traffic zones and hotspots, security guards could significantly reduce response times for minor incidents and allow police to concentrate on more serious issues. Security firms in Halifax could collaborate with local government, law enforcement, and community organizations to establish clear protocols for community engagement, emergency response, and collaborative public safety planning.

Adopting a community-based security model would also mean investing in cultural sensitivity training, de-escalation techniques, and skills in conflict resolution for security guards. This would prepare them to interact with Halifax’s diverse population in a respectful and effective way, ultimately building trust and enhancing their role as approachable figures within the community. In neighborhoods where residents might be hesitant to engage directly with law enforcement, the presence of trained, community-focused security guards could provide a bridge, enhancing trust and encouraging a collaborative approach to public safety.

Re-thinking security practices to include the role of security guards would not only address Halifax’s current safety challenges but also lay the foundation for a more adaptable, inclusive, and responsive approach to security as the city continues to grow. The Halifax region has the opportunity to become a leader in community-centered security practices, setting a precedent for other cities to follow.