Security guards are called upon to do a lot of different things, one of which is to diffuse certain situations. For instance, security guards are trained to notice if and when a person is becoming belligerent with the intent to cause trouble for others. Guards look for certain visual cues such as a reddened face, clenched fists, stiffening shoulders and angry facial expressions which indicates a person is getting enraged. They also listen for raised voices and verbal threats.
How a Security Guard Helps Diffuse Situations
If and when someone’s body language and demeanor seems threatening then the security guard must assess and address the situation. They can choose to intervene, strategically, so that no one gets hurt and the tense situation gets diffused.
Oftentimes there will be a brewing fight between two people whereas the security guard’s job is to step in between them and try to resolve the conflict. The guard appears confident and firm with their voice and the words they say, hoping to talk both parties out of hitting one another. By asserting their role as a leader or authority in the situation, a security guard causes irate people to take a moment’s notice and decide whether they really want to escalate the drama or not. The guard can offer help to manage the situation and ease the tension(s). Should problems continue, a guard may need to call for back-up and/or police intervention. At least someone is “in charge” at the scene and doing something to diffuse the situation, right?
Trained security guards have certain tactics to diffuse situations. For example, they will separate two parties physically so they’re not near one another– this allows them to cool off elsewhere instead of right in front of the face of their supposed enemy. Sometimes a guard may need to use some form of restraint to handle a situation, especially if weapons are involved.
Empathy can be utilized by guards to help ease tension and slow down or stop the spread of conflict. By actively listening to troubled people, a guard gives them a chance to express their side of the story which might be all they needed or wanted in reality. Guards can ask questions, help people find common ground, and come up with resolutions on the spot.
Are you in need of trained security guards who are able to diffuse tense situations? Call C.O.P. Security of Western and Central NY at 585-750-5608 for more information.