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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a mall security guard. Feel free to use our mall security guard job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a mall security guard.

 

Who is a Mall Security Guard?

Mall security guards may be hired by a single business or the entire shopping center to keep order while protecting the employer from theft, vandalism, and other illegal activities. Mall security guards are sometimes known as loss prevention agents.

Security personnel and mall guards are private individuals who do not have the same powers as police guards and must refer any arrests to the police. If there are any, they are arrested on the basis of reasonable grounds to suspect someone of committing a criminal offense.

They also detain anyone who has committed a breach of the peace or is likely to join or restart one. The detention must be to hand the subject over to a police guard. When a mall security guard detains another person, they must use no more force than is necessary, and the force must be proportionate to the threat posed by the action.

 

Why Do People Hire Mall Security Guards?

In recent years, violent incidents at shopping malls have dominated media coverage. Although it is not realistic for shopping malls to have their police force, a uniformed mall security guard can efficiently serve much of the same duty. The following are some of the reasons why malls recruit these security personnel.

1. A mall security guard serves as a visible deterrent: Having a uniformed security guard on duty acts as a visual deterrent to people who may be considering causing a disturbance. The presence of someone who resembles a police guard may cause troublemakers to reconsider their plans.
2. A mall security guard can be an excellent public relations representative: Shoppers who notice a uniformed security guard on the grounds would believe that mall management is attempting to keep them secure. Furthermore, having a friendly security guard can improve the mall’s image in the eyes of shoppers.
3. A mall security guard functions as a safety guard: A security guard can execute all management responsibilities that management approves, such as mall rule enforcement. If a mall has a “No Pets Allowed” policy and a patron brings a pet, the impact of a uniformed guard telling them to take the animal outside the mall may be significantly larger than with a person in ordinary clothing. A security guard can also enforce mall operators’ prompt opening and closing policies.
4. A mall security guard can provide a good return on investment: Some insurance companies provide large discounts on rates for malls that employ full-time security guards. The causes for this include not just lawbreakers, but also fires and other safety problems.
5. A mall security guard could testify in court: Many states need security guards to be licensed before they may work. Guards are taught what the laws are about certain offenses, such as what constitutes burglary, assault, and other topics that they may come into touch with while performing their responsibilities, as part of their tutoring. Having someone on duty at a mall who is knowledgeable about the standards of these laws may help to avoid problems such as false arrest and ensure that acceptable witnessing standards are followed better than someone who has not received such tutoring.

 

The breakdown of the Activities of these Mall Security Guards is as follows:

Prevention of Criminal Acts: One of the most crucial roles of mall security guards is to prevent criminal acts. Criminals are less inclined to commit crimes when they notice security agents because they are afraid of the consequences. Because security guards are trained to manage these circumstances, they will be able to prevent crimes such as shoplifting from occurring. Mall security guards are trained to spot suspicious conduct and respond appropriately.

Maintenance of Law and Order in the mall: Mall security agents are frequently called upon to settle disputes between consumers or between customers and mall employees. When the need arises, these security guards will safely and efficiently transport disruptive people out of the mall. Security guards are vital in crowd management on busy days, especially during big events like Black Friday. They have received extensive training in crowd management in order to ensure everyone’s safety and prevent property damage.

Patrol of Property: During business hours and when the mall is closed, security guards will monitor the area. They are capable of identifying and responding to all security issues. Security guards will guarantee that all entrances are locked and secure throughout the night. Mall security agents are instructed to cover as much land as possible and patrol the site effectively while remaining attentive and noting any problems.

Monitoring of Surveillance Equipments: The mall is not patrolled by every security guard. Security guards must also station themselves in surveillance rooms and keep an eye on monitoring equipment. Security professionals are educated to be on the lookout for problems and potential security breaches. They will also ensure that all equipment is operational and address any issues that may emerge. Monitoring surveillance equipment is critical to ensuring the mall’s overall security.

 

Promotion of Safety in the mail: Mall security guards are responsible for guaranteeing the safety of all mall consumers and workers. Their mere presence will provide everyone with a sense of security. They may respond appropriately to any harmful situations and patrol the property, keeping an eye out for any unsafe behavior. During peak hours, security agents can regulate traffic and keep a presence in the parking lot to ensure that patrons are safe at all times.

Penning down of Accurate Reports: Report writing is a crucial aspect of a mall security guard’s job that is often overlooked. To prevent loss, damage, and safety concerns, a security guard should report any abnormalities or probable security breaches. If there is a problem or a security breach, the guard should create a complete and accurate report to inform the police and ensure that the problem does not occur again.

Making available Customer Service: Mall security guards give customer service to all consumers, even if it is not considered a core function. When a consumer has a general inquiry regarding the mall’s operations or requires directions, they are more likely to approach a member of the security staff. Mall security guards are critical in delivering information to customers and ensuring that each consumer has the best possible experience.

Emergency Response: In the event of an emergency, mall security guards are critical to resolving the situation. They can keep crowds under control and people calm. They are accountable for keeping a thorough understanding of all emergency response procedures. As a result, they can direct customers to exits and provide them with instructions on how to proceed. Security guards will be able to respond effectively to emergency circumstances while also ensuring that all patrons and workers respond accordingly.

What are the pieces of equipment the mall security guard needs?

Mall security guards may be forced to wear uniforms to ensure their visibility. Some employers provide the required apparel, although it is very uncommon for mall management to ask staff to bring their own. Specialty uniform shops sell the items that employees require. Some mall security guards work in plain clothing undercover to spot potential thieves.

 

Mall Security Guard Job Description

Below are the mall security guard job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a mall security guard job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

The duties and responsibilities of a mall security guard include the following:

• Patrol and monitor the premises for any abnormalities, such as suspicious conduct or security breaches.
• Maintain calmness and assist people to safety so that the culprits can be apprehended when alarms go off.
• Respond to calls for assistance and, if necessary, contact the fire department or legal enforcement.
• Assist in emergencies and ensure that no one is injured or property is damaged.
• Remove or restrain anyone who poses a threat to the mall’s safety or disturbs the peace.
• Put on security uniforms and work undercover when necessary.
• Follow orders and operate as part of a team to protect the safety of personnel and customers.
• Create daily reports and make recommendations for improved security.
• Carry out all jobs with the utmost honesty and professionalism.
• Carry out constant security checks and patrols.
• Keep track of any criminal activity or irregularities.
• Provide crowd control and assistance to visitors and workers during an emergency.
• Provide asset protection when necessary.
• Inspect individuals, vehicles, and other belongings at the entrances and exits.
• Assure that persons and property are damaged as little as possible.
• Examine surveillance equipment to determine its operational status.
• Keep a record of your daily activities.
• Set off alerts to alert individuals to any odd events.
• Inform security breach violators and suspects.
• Keep track of the time and gather signatures at entries and exits as needed.
• Keep an eye out for any indicators of instability or criminal activity.
• Maintain legal behavior while defending yourself.
• Provide first aid services during an emergency.

 

Qualifications

To become a mall security guard you ought to meet the following requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of legal rules for area security and public safety.
• Some report writing experience.
• Superior surveillance and observation abilities.
• Administration First Aid, basic life support, and self-defense training
• Diploma from a high school.
• Physical health, strength, and mental agility are all important.
• A current driver’s license.
• Understanding of emergency procedures and safety protocol.
• Having no criminal record.
• The ability to remain calm amid stressful times.

 

Essential Skills

Being a mall security guard requires a mix of the following skills which are as follows:

Alertness: Every mall security guard should always be prepared. They should obtain thorough training that will prepare them for any eventuality that may arise. They should also have appropriate equipment and dress to ensure that they are prepared for any potential threat.

Sharp Reflex coordination: A good mall security guard should have quick reflexes and be able to react promptly to any circumstance. He or she should be able to rapidly assess a situation and respond with minimal delay. A mall security guard with slow responses will be unable to successfully manage emergency situations.

Sound Judgment: A skilled mall security guard should be able to respond to a situation responsibly in addition to acting fast. He or she should be able to recognize any potential threat and select the best way to respond effectively and efficiently. A mall security guard with poor judgment will be unable to respond to a crisis in a manner that will aid in the protection of the shopping mall.

Effectiveness in Communication: A mall security guard must have excellent communication abilities. He or she will need to alert the public of any concerns and provide directions in the event of an emergency. They will also need to communicate effectively with other team members to properly identify any potential threat. Furthermore, security officials will be required to produce precise reports on any incidents that occur.

 

A Calm personality: A good mall security guard should have a calm demeanor and the ability to remain calm under pressure. He or she must be able to keep a cool head in stressful conditions to make sound decisions regarding the next move. Making a rational judgment in a crisis requires a cool demeanor.

Fitness and agility: Mall security guards should be physically and mentally healthy. In the event of a physical altercation, a mall security guard must be powerful enough to break it up and resolve the problem without injuring anyone. A good mall security guard should also be physically fit enough to pursue a thief if necessary. Although day-to-day activities may not need physical fitness, a mall security guard should retain these qualities to be prepared for any future problem.

Honesty and Reliability: A mall security guard is responsible for securing building access and defending businesses from criminals, thus they must be honest and trustworthy. A client should be able to look at your employee and think to themselves, “Yes, I’m safe with this individual.”

When you have a disloyal security guard, he or she may steal or do other things, which is why most security companies conduct extensive background checks before employing any guard candidate.

First impressions are important because they will likely determine whether or not this individual is trustworthy during the first conversation.

He or she must also keep your faith. If they don’t give you any reason to doubt them, their employment with your organization should run well.

Ability and willingness to serve clients: A mall security guard must be detail-oriented because he or she must perform multiple duties and recall a lot of information to assist customers. Each security guard is assigned a post, and at that post, they will find a set of instructions depending on your needs, so he or she must follow them. Before taking on the position, they should be trained on these precise orders with your client. To do so, he or she must have a thorough understanding of security operations to suit the needs of your client. They must do these responsibilities professionally, so they must be educated and trained to have a stable career.

Ability to lead and as well collaborate: Security guards typically operate alone. Although, in other circumstances, security guards work in groups to guarantee that a business’s perimeter is protected. When these rare events occur, each guard must distinguish between when to express oneself and take authority and when to stand down and obey orders.

 

How to Become a Mall Security Guard

Below is an outline of the necessary steps you need to take to become a mall security guard:

1. Obtain your certification and license at your local police station: Security guards must be certified or licensed in most states. Exams and licenses are frequently administered and issued by the local sheriff’s office, municipal hall, or a police station. In addition, many jurisdictions require security guards to undergo 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training. For a little cost and some paperwork, most security agencies will handle the training and licensing process for you. You’ll learn how to prepare incident reports, administer first aid, engage with people, and de-escalate situations as necessary.

If you wish to work as an armed security guard, you should also take a firearm safety course and obtain a concealed weapon permit. Even if you don’t intend to conceal your firearm, obtaining the permit shows potential employers that you’ve completed a criminal background check and understand gun safety. It is not necessary to have a firearm to work as a security guard, but those who do earn more money. Depending on your state, you may be required to complete a certain number of hours of ongoing firearms training each year. In jurisdictions where they are necessary, any respectable gun range can provide valid continuing training certifications.

2. Obtain some additional training in areas such as defensive martial arts: There are numerous other qualifications available for security guards. You can learn many types of defensive martial arts, advanced VIP security measures, and advanced gun techniques. The more outstanding your security CV appears, the more you will stick out from the crowd. If you plan to work as a security guard at a company where you will have access to a vehicle, consider taking a defensive driving course or acquiring a security-related driving certification.
3. Procure protective gear: Although they frequently wear company-issued uniforms, many security guards bring their guns and protective gear to work. If you intend to work as a security guard in a particularly dangerous region, consider acquiring a bulletproof vest. There are even bulletproof backpacks and clipboards available. Even if you have a gun, carrying a non-lethal self-defense tool gives you more options. Pepper spray, a bean bag gun, a taser, a baton, a heavy flashlight, or even a guard dog can be employed in self-defense. When things grow chaotic, you don’t want to resort to lethal force, so use these techniques.

If you decide to have a guard dog, consider adopting one from a shelter rather than a breeder. Dogs of many security-capable breeds are looking for a loving home, and your new companion can keep you company while you make your rounds.

 

Where to Work as a Mall Security Guard

Most security guards are hired by the following organizations:

• Private businesses to deter illegal activity
• Government agencies to safeguard public spaces such as museums, schools, airports, and military bases
• Malls to protect everyone’s safety at the mall.
• The shopping center where they patrol the grounds, inspect surveillance devices and remove those who pose a threat.

 

Mall Security Guard Salary Scale

The median wage for security guards in 2008 was $23,460, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means that if you lined up every security guard according to her earnings, the one in the center of the line earned this amount. In 2008, 50 percent of all security officers earned between $19,150 and $30,100, according to the same research. The top 10% of earners earned little more than $39,000. Security guards in the United Kingdom, on the other hand, make roughly £20,525.57 per year.

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