What’s the Difference Between Unarmed and Armed Security Guards?

When it comes to securing your company’s property and employees, choosing the right security professional is critical. Deciding between unarmed security guards and armed security guards requires you to reflect on your needs and factors such as location, perceived risk, and budget.

Creative Security offers trustworthy security guard services in the Bay Area to help keep your business assets secure. Our expert team will explain the difference between unarmed and armed security guards and provide insights on each option’s approach and qualifications to help you determine which is best for you.

Security Guard Services Overview

At Creative Security, we provide services tailored to protect people, assets, and property. Our highly-trained professionals have years of experience deterring potential threats, monitoring activity, and responding to emergencies. Choosing between our differnt levels of protection involves weighing the benefits and limitations of armed and unarmed security guard services.

Unarmed Security Guards

Unarmed security guards focus on maintaining order and preventing potential issues through their visible presence. Our unarmed guards are often employed in environments such as construction sites, shopping centers, vacant buildings and corporate offices.

Additionally, choosing unarmed guards helps maintain a welcoming and secure environment for your employees and customers alike. Their core responsibilities include observing, reporting, and deterring suspicious activity, helping to minimize the risk of any serious problems.

Unarmed security guards can also assist with crowd control, directing traffic, and navigating emergencies, making them a versatile, reliable option for many organizations.

Armed Off-Duty Officers

Armed off duty officers provide the highest level of protection. All of Creative Security’s armed security guards are retired or off-duty police officers, which means they have years of experience handling high-risk environments or situations requiring a robust deterrent. One of the strongest advantages of armed guards is their level of deterrence, as their presence alone can discourage even the most determined criminals.

Our armed guards are trained to respond to critical threats swiftly and effectively for the safety of employees and property in high-stakes situations. This level of protection is particularly suited for environments like large corporate layoffs, high risk terminations, and executive protection scenarios where the potential risks are significantly elevated.

Security Guard Job Duties

A security guard’s job duties vary depending on the role and environment, but typical responsibilities include monitoring surveillance equipment and looking over premises to maintain safety. They deter unauthorized access and report incidents to law enforcement or management as needed. Our mobile patrol services provide an on-site presence ideal for vacant buildings, parking lots, and other open spaces.

What Industries Hire Security Guard Companies?

Security guard services are a reliable option for a wide-reaching net of businesses. Common industries we have partnered with include:

• Retail. Our guards can help deter crime and ensure shopper safety.
• Construction. We can watch over equipment and materials after hours.
• Corporate. Executive protection and travel assistance are available.
• Health care. We strive to protect your patients and staff.
• Property Management. Deterring theft, homeless and vandalism

Whatever line of work you’re in, we’ll put together a comprehensive security plan that’s tailored to your individual needs.

Security Guards for Executive Protection

Executive protection often involves specialized staff designed for high-profile individuals such as C-suite executives, celebrities, and money couriers. Our officers have years of experience that prepare them to manage these different types of risks. We can also provide a professional protective presence in the event of hostile terminations, mass layoffs, or internal investigations.

Travel Security

Executive protection specialists can ensure your safety during domestic and international travel. Their responsibilities can include but are not limited to route planning, monitoring for potential threats, escorting and providing secure transportation.

Potential Legal Liabilities

Employing armed security guards comes with additional legal considerations. For example, the misuse of a firearm can lead to liability claims against the guard, their employer, or you as the client versus armed off duty officers having years of experience and extensive training in areas including de-escalation, threat assessment, firearms training, use of force and many more. We’ll work with you to determine the best course of action for your business.

Cost Difference Between Armed and Unarmed Security Guards

The cost of security guard services depends on factors like training, equipment, and experience. Armed off duty officers are generally more expensive due to their specialized skills, licensing, pay rates and higher insurance premiums. Their ability to deter serious threats often justifies the additional cost for high-risk environments especially since the implementation of the senate bill SB553.

Unarmed security guard services remain a budget-friendly solution for low-risk settings. For many businesses, unarmed guards can provide peace of mind without unnecessary the additional expenses.

Partner With Creative Security’s Expert Security Guards

Choose Creative Security to be your comprehensive security provider and discover the peace of mind that comes with having our experienced team of professional guards on your side. Our security guard services in the Bay Area are a flexible, reliable option for companies from all industries. Whether it’s securing your office after layoffs or attaching an armed off duty officer to a traveling executive, we’re here to help.

Contact us today and learn more about what Creative Security can do to protect your company and its assets. You can also give us a call to speak with one of our friendly associates, and they’ll show you why we’re the only security company you’ll need. If you’re looking for a security guard job and career, Creative Security might be your answer.