Every business owner strives to create a safe environment. However, many individuals face a challenge when deciding whether to hire security personnel who wear uniforms and are visible or to use undercover personnel who blend in with employees and customers while providing security discreetly. Both approaches are common, with both having different benefits depending on each specific scenario. We will evaluate the two options in very basic terms so that you can determine which option is most appropriate for your business needs.
What Uniformed Guards Actually Do.
You probably think of security guards when you think of having security. The types of guards that you think of most of the time (to make the stereotypes of «security guard») are those guards wearing uniforms who stand right at the entry point where they can easily be seen (by the public). The primary responsibility of an individual guard is not necessarily to stop someone from doing something wrong but rather to deter individuals from committing crimes against one particular entity (business or organisation).
For example, if someone is looking to commit a crime (such as theft) within a store, the presence of a uniformed guard located in the store may cause that person to reconsider committing that crime, simply because they can see a security guard standing in front of them. Just by being present within the store, the uniformed guard can cause that individual to not commit a crime. This is known as visible deterrence, which is one of the best tools available to a business/organisation to deter criminal activity.
In addition to serving as an effective means of visible deterrence, uniformed security guards can serve many of the same functions that they do for others. For example, uniformed security guards can provide information to visitors, answer basic enquiries, check bags, and, most importantly, provide a sense of security to customers. This sense of security provided by the presence of uniformed security guards may lead to increased sales for those businesses/organisations, especially if they are located in an area that is influenced by crime (e.g., malls, banks, hospitals, and/or schools).
What Plainclothes Security Does Differently
In contrast, plainclothes security operates in a very distinct fashion: these guards are not dressed in a uniform; rather, they very much resemble standard customers or associates of the business, and they are not attempting to attract attention to themselves when moving around the establishment. Unlike visible guards, whose presence alone is intended to deter criminal activity, plainclothes security is primarily provided to apprehend those engaged in illegal acts that are presently occurring, typically illegal acts that a visible guard may never observe being carried out.
The implementation of plainclothes security has proved to be an effective method of apprehending theft and/or dishonesty by employees or even individuals attempting to commit fraud in an unobtrusive manner. Since there are no identifiable means of determining whether an individual is a plainclothes security officer, they do not attract any special attention, and therefore, individuals act normally around them. By doing so, plainclothes security has the ability to observe individuals at close range and identify minute details (i.e., hiding merchandise in a bag or handling money in a suspicious manner).
As a result, plainclothes security is the preferred method of preventing losses from theft or any other fraudulent scheme that occurs as a result of employees and/or dishonest individuals attempting to imitate customers or those criminals attempting to perpetrate crimes inside the business. The use of plainclothes security allows for the collection of information that will be used to establish the identity of the perpetrator of the criminal activity and to also allow for the arrest of individuals that have committed the same criminal activity on more than one occasion.
Comparing the Two Approaches
These two types of security differ mainly in the way that they work. Guards in uniform prevent crimes before they occur. Plain-clothes guards look for ongoing crimes or crimes that occurred already.
If your business has the potential for violence or robbery or open rioting, the use of a guard in uniform may be more beneficial. The mere presence of a uniform, in a crowded area with expensive merchandise and high incidences of aggressive behaviour, will quell a violent situation or eliminate it before it occurs.
If your business experiences small, hidden losses such as direct employee theft, shoplifting, or fraud, will using plain-clothes security, alongside cameras and other security guards, produce better results? The above-mentioned problems are not resolved by intimidating patrons; rather, they are monitored and resolved when a suspect is caught.
Cost is another issue that should be considered when determining whether uniforms or plain clothes is the best option. Uniformed guards appear to be a basic requirement for large public businesses because customers expect to see some kind of security. Plain-clothes security has typically been used as an added layer to complement (not replace) cameras or guards.
Which One Should You Choose?
The reality is, most businesses don’t need to limit their choices. The use of both is a great way to maximise your security. Uniforms provide a prominent means of protecting employees and giving the public confidence; at the same time, plain-clothes personnel will observe for any undeclared risks that a uniformed person may not observe.
In order to make the right decision, you need to consider the type of risks your business faces the most often. Identify if your primary concerns are either those types of incidents that create dangerous conditions requiring immediate response to stop them or those that are less obvious in potentially dangerous circumstances. Knowing which issue is your primary concern will help determine which form of security best meets your needs as well as determine if you should use a combination of the two or whether you should employ one type of security entirely.
Final Thoughts
Security involves much more than just hiring someone who wears a uniform to provide visible safety and comfort, or hiring someone who blends in to provide concealed security by protecting your business, your employees, and your customers through understanding your business’s risk and your customers. Once you know how to create a security plan that meets both of these needs, you will be able to provide your business with the kind of protection it really needs from both types of guards.
Not sure whether your business needs visible protection, quiet loss prevention, or a mix of both? You don’t have to figure this out alone. Reach out today for a free security assessment, and let our team take a close look at your business, your risks, and your goals. We’ll help you build a security plan that actually fits, whether that means uniformed guards, plainclothes security, or a smart combination of both. Contact us now to schedule your consultation and start protecting your business the right way.