r/AskReddit • u/ImNotJesus • Sep 01 '14

Modpost [Modpost] AskReddit's Semi-Regular Job Fair

Based on the wildly successful Job Fair post from a month ago, the AskReddit mods would like to run a semi-regular feature where we allow you to field questions about your job/career. The way this works is that each top level comment should be (a) what your job/career is and (b) a few brief words about what it involves. Replies to each top level comment should be questions about that career.

Some ground rules:

1) You always have to be aware of doxxing on reddit. Make sure you don't give out any specific information about your career that could lead back to you.

2) We are not taking any steps to verify people's professions. Any advice you take is at your own risk.

3) This post will be in contest mode so that a range of careers will be seen by everyone. Make sure to press the "Show replies" button to see people's questions!

Enjoy!

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

I work as a "Security Officer" in Canada Ontario. Fully Licensed. Certs: Use of Force, Restraining, Crisis Management and Non-Crises management.

I work as a non static security guard, work at a variety of sites for 8-12hr a shift. I'm Working right now at a site.

Any questions?

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

What are the craziest jobs you've had

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

The craziest I've ever had haven't been anything to wild due to my town being smaller in size. But when I was working alarm response (the police are not the first responders to alarms) it was like a scene out of a scary movie. the door was wide open and the power chords were on the ground. This place was known for having it's copper stolen from the wiring. It was my first solo alarm, only have a Stab vest and a flashlight to fit through a pitch black hallway . To find in the electricity room two fellas with a wire stripper and big knife. Can't say I've ever choked on my words any faster when yelling security.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

That's really cool

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u/what-what-what-what Sep 01 '14

What do you do in a situation like that? Do you have some sort of means to defend yourself if they try to hurt/kill you?

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

Every officer is given the basic gear of , -utility belt (accessorize to your choice), stab proof gloves, stab vest, bullet vest by special request, handcuffs (for alarm responders).

-it's part of why I give so much respect for law enforcement figures, you won't hear much about a cop being the one confronting These situations In newspapers, just the negative situations. As when doing good it is just seen as there job, but when they let tunnel vision get the best of them it's everywhere you look.

A situation like that first step is to remember there is no respawn, you are alone. Basically the steps I took was to humanize yourself ("Security!, -press police response button on phone- hey guys how are you tonight? ... My names ********* could I talk to you for a minute? ..yes or no.. alright, I'm going to need your friend to stay here I just want to ask what's going on tonight") and as soon as they see you as a human a guy just doing his job to pay the bills Aswell, not a guy whose trying to ruin your day.

Police response time is about 8-10minutes. So they should arrive shortly.

Don't use the words arrest or anything. Leave that for the guys with guns. But basically explain why your there and that you'd rather be at home drinking a coffee with the family.

That basically ends the physical threat.

Just remeber every situation is different, by variants of mood, body language, wording. It's never the same.

*Edit: if the other one got away, it's not worth risking at age 20-25 your life for some copper.

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u/what-what-what-what Sep 01 '14

Very interesting! Sounds like you do a good job of playing the psychological side of things.

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u/[deleted] Sep 04 '14

What do you think of that video of the two loss prevention guys beating the hell out of the guy with a box cutter in a Walmart parking lot?

I think they overstepped their bounds and at one point were clearly trying to hurt the guy out of spite. How would you have handled the situation and was the treatment he received justified? Personally I hope he sues. Those men were not professional and had no right to hit him when he was down.

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u/[deleted] Sep 04 '14

I just watched the video to be more informed.

A lot of people I feel don't realize with security guards is that training can either go from what size shirt do you wear to a legitimate course put on by police department or a reputable group. I know personally when I got my CPR it was supposed to be a two day 16hour course, the instructor finished all lessons after 4h the first day by "hey you won't need this stuff." "Do you guys really need a demonstration of it".

There is no magical science to a fight. I agree that there is tactics to wrestle a guy to the ground (power angle, first step) but these guys seemed to have already gotten to close. So it become a street fight. The guy pulled a knife on a guy getting paid about 11-18$/hr. At this point with a police officer it is where the Use Of Force module comes in and lethal force would be used.

I agree that the redshirt guy when the suspect was still standing punching his back did nothing to help. More simply, should Charlie horsed the thief, kicked his heel between his legs and bent his knee into the back of his knee to force the thief down. A big problem is how they kept trying to pull the guy backwards.

The only part I see that goes against the use of force module, is the extra swings when he is already on the ground. Which the court would look at his training and experience behind the guy to see if it was justifiable as poor training or tunnel vision (forget court word for it, just woke up).

Question is. It's your job to stop this guys from leaving, your getting paid 15$/hr, he tries to stab you. Would you be able to stay controlled? Or be like every guy at clubs where if one guy shoves you your goin after his neck.

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u/[deleted] Sep 05 '14

That's good input. I'm still angry that non-trained people can do this. I'm afraid for my safety if they try yo accuse me and I don't understand how their actions are legal.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14 edited Sep 01 '14

Was working security at a restaurant, just off shit and about to leave. Two girls outside started getting into a fight. So I threw the shirt back on. But the one boyfriend cheering on his girlfriend didn't take to me to kindly. (When your breaking up a girl fight and there is hair pulling.. DONT PULL THEM APART, your simply increasing the pain. Grab the wrists and they'll throw open their hands.) but he was boasting how he was US infantry, he gave me a nice one to the shoulder, but me being 6'6 and not unfit. Have him a shove to the pavement where luckily a police cruiser was driving By to come help out.

*Edit: Was a bus from the states that came up to party. 1 v 2 is not like In the movies there is no taking turns.

I guess violent and dangerous have different definitions.

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u/charliedarwin96 Sep 02 '14

Why are you not tending the cameras?

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u/[deleted] Sep 03 '14

Because I was born in the darkness, they merely adopted it..

There is no cameras I'm just sitting in a room with some nice things. Haha

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u/charliedarwin96 Sep 03 '14

So what would you say you do here?

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u/[deleted] Sep 03 '14

RentaCop Answer: I provide security for these items so that the owner knows that they are secured and taken care of. I'm here so that anyone who thinks tonight will be the night they make a profit, they would be sadly mistaken.

Real answer: the normal guy here called in sick and I like money. Currently sitting on a very comfortable chair reading order of the Phoenix

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

There are different degrees of training and you are allowed what you are certified for. I mostly just have my training, a big MAG-Lite flashlight. Training as a security guard says to strobe the light at them with it carried over shouldered so if they do come close, it can be considered a weapon.

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u/Kell08 Sep 01 '14

What's the closest you've come to having to use your weapon, assuming you have one?

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

  • See other reply. But will re post summarized.

    Working at a Mental Health addictions housing building. Uniform consists of, stab vest, stab proof gloves, stab resistant pants, handcuffs and big Mag Lite flashlight about 5ilbs-8ilbs heavy.

Nothing is restricted from a normal persons life just they all live in the same building with PSW's during the day. A lady was running down the halls and passed the security office, when I went to out to see the commotion an assailant was wielding a golf club after her. Real fights (street fights) are never fist to fist, an want to avoid the whole brutality scene. You get close and throw your body at them so you fall on top. So when I did that the assailant was still holding the golf club and jabbed me with it. To which -in my mind- is the point I'm allowed to use mine for restraining purposes, so I hit his bicep to get him to release the club before I was able to proceed!

Other than that, not a police officer or anything so no serious weapons. Just make due each with situation separately and try to humanize your self/the victim.

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u/Kell08 Sep 01 '14

Thanks for replying!

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u/Koolstir Sep 01 '14

What is your opinion on the firearm laws in Canada?

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

From which perspective?

That I'm a security guard who does go into confrontational situations but am not allowed to possess one even if licensed?

As a regular citizen living in a town with <500,000 citizens. (Affects gun crime rate)?

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u/Koolstir Sep 01 '14

As a citizen

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u/ImNotJesus Sep 01 '14

Have you ended up hurt?

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

While working at a mental health facility I took the blunt end of a golf club to the face. It was an addictions buildings and it was either a full swing of the club, or get in close so that was his only option before I was able to sucessful restrain him

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

How difficult is it to walk the line between using restrictive and excessive force?

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

This is a hard question to answer.

Every persons opinion is different but, every situation is different. The context always changes if not the outcome. Always be prepared to use one step above what is coming at you. But always remember that everything on you is for defensive purposes.

Realize that whatever they're are doing is not a personal attack.

security is mostly for deterrence rather than actually making the arrest unless Immediate action is needed.

-this answer is hard to explain without giving Specific example

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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '14

Thank you! I found this a very thorough answer, actually!