Security Guard/Security Officer... is there a difference?

General General Discussion
1

Alright, I hate to ask stupid questions, but I need to know. When I worked Security in North Carolina at my last job, which was a contract security company, who had several different sites under contract in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, we called each other “Officers”, and we were never really called Security Guards, but my title was more or less “Security Officer”. I always thought of a Security Officer being the same thing as a Security Guard, its just that the title Officer sounds much better than guard. To me, if you work Security, youre a Security Guard no matter what. Using the word Officer in place of Guard just shows a little more respect IMO. I never thought I was anything more than a Security Guard though we were known as “Officers”. Also, it sounds more proper to use Officer because we all went by last names. Therefore, I was known as “Officer [lastname]”.

Now, in Arizona, I work for a company called Yulista Management Services. They provide contract work (not just security) for the US Government, particularly the USAF. I work on an Auxiliary AFB. My title is technically “Guard II”. I got into a discussion about this with a supervisor there. First off, Supervisors there mean nothing. Theyre all just monkeys who are used to enforce rules management makes when management cant be around, or theyre just someone to place blame on. It doesnt take anything to be a supervisor there, and most of them dont know their ass from a hole in the ground.

This supervisor asked me if we were “Officers” or “Guards” at my last job. I tried to explain what I stated in the first paragraph, and he told me that theres actually a classification, and a payscale designed for these titles. He said it starts off at Guard I, then goes to Guard II, which is what we are, then goes to Officer I, then Officer II, then Agent, like Border Patrol, who we work very close to, and help out a lot. This makes no sense to me. To me, if youre not sworn into something, and your title has Security in front of it, it doesnt matter if you call yourself an Officer, or a Guard, or an Agent, youre still a Security Guard. Nothing more, nothing less. Sad that Im just a Security Guard, but this place is just a stepping stone, and well, tbh, it pays very decent, and excellent for the amount of work we do.

So whats the deal? Is it okay to call myself an Officer, or is there an actual payscale and basis by which these designations are reserved for certain people? I really dont care, but im getting tired of people who dont know what theyre talking about saying “Dont answer the phone with “officer [lastname]”, youre not an officer. If you were, you would be making $blah blah blah dollars. Youre a Guard”

2

Depends on the state and the company. In some places “guard” is unarmed while “officer” is armed. In places where this is so, there is a signifigant pay differential and certification/training requirement differences between the two.

Since you are working for a company with a rank structure and around other agencies where the distinction between the two titles matter, you are a “guard” and should refer to yourself as such.

3

GLP, who did you work for in NC?? The Budd Group? I worked for a small college in Banner ELk NC as security then they decided to contract it out. Budd got the bid and i worked for them until i got hired on at the LE dept i work at now.

4

My wife has been working armed security since she left law enforcement a few years ago I asked her this question and she said "I’m the one with the M4 and M9 so they usually say ma’am:D "

5

This is based strictly on my background… which is the same as saying it means little, but:

Guard: Assigned a particular and described location or route. Bound by “orders of the guard” and perhaps special orders to cover a particular time frame, for all matters beyond what is covered in those orders, the guard will defer all decision to a superior.

Officer: Assigned a larger, general area and determines their coverage of that area on their own. Is bound by rules of conduct/action as well as the laws of the land. An officer is generally given the latitude to make field expedient decisions based on training, education and experience, and is trusted to recognize when a decision or matter should be defered to a superior.

6

I worked for Lankford Protective Services. Theyre based out of Greensboro NC. It was a great company to work for, I really miss it.

7

I worked for two years for Wackenhut Nuclear Services. We were referred to as Officers. An unarmed member is a Watchperson, ie limited duties.

8

Before going into law enforcement, I worked almost 10 years in security with the same company. Came up through the ranks from Security Officer to Major (Area Supervisor). I always referred to my employee’s as Officer’s. Being called a guard, to me is demeaning. I expected them to be professional and in so, I treated them that way.

Here in South Carolina, a security officer can be armed or un-armed, but ALL security officer’s have the full powers of arrest (on their assigned site’s) by the state. So with that I always considered them officer’s as well.

My point being, if they can arrest (on their assigned site’s) the same as a police officer, then they should be afforded the same courtesy.

Of course, provided, they were professional and carried themselves in a way to earn that right.

Believe me, we had some, “not so smart” ones as well. And occasionaly they were called “Guards”.

9

Is this like calling a Secretary an Executive Assistant?:stuck_out_tongue:

10

It depends obviously on what your employer chose to title the position and it’s level of authority.

It’s kind of the same argument within Corrections, some are called “Prison Guards” others “Corrections Officer”, the term “Guard” is a derogatory where I work, reserved for those that are lazy or too stupid to perform the job.

My job title is Correctional Officer IV, I am a State employee sworn to uphold all federal, state and local laws plus enforce the policies governing the custody and control of those committed to the Agency.

Call me Guard and I will get very p*ssed off and probably find a way to justify ruining your day.

The State also has Security Workers and Security Officers I-IV as well that work for another agency.