A retail security guard’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of both customers and employees in a retail establishment, as well as to prevent financial loss due to shoplifting, robbery, or other threats. A retail security guard’s responsibilities may include removing potentially dangerous people from the store or area, using video surveillance equipment, and being able to communicate clearly with other security personnel. This type of security guard will almost always be required to have a skill set that is appropriate for the job environment, which will almost always include physical fitness. It’s also possible that the security officer will be required law to have a license, which he or she will be required to renew on a regular basis.
The safety of any customers and employees present is the primary concern of private security personnel working in retail establishments. A retail environment could be a single store or an entire shopping mall, and the retail security guard may work as part of a team with other security professionals, depending on the needs of the employer. A security guard is also responsible for protecting the institution’s financial interests, so he or she may be assigned to guard cash registers, vaults, or store items.
A retail security guard’s skills will vary depending on the needs of his or her employer, but they will typically include social skills, equipment proficiency, and physical fitness. A security guard must be able to communicate with people in a personable yet firm manner in order to avoid escalating problematic situations due to misunderstandings or mistreatment. Retail security guards may be required to restrain violent or otherwise dangerous trespassers, so strength requirements are a concern. If the security guard is given any type of weaponry, he or she will need to be trained on how to use it properly and safely.
Many countries have laws requiring anyone interested in working in private security to obtain a proper license. In the United States, these requirements vary greatly, and each state has its own set of laws and training requirements. The Security Industry Authority regulates security guard licensing in the United Kingdom. If a person working as a retail security guard without the proper licensing is discovered, they may face legal consequences, and the employer may face a similar situation.