Many security companies in Atlanta believe that hiring off-duty police officers as security guards in Atlanta will provide the best protection for their clients. However, a security company must be cautious when hiring law enforcement.

Consider the recent case of an Atlanta police officer, working as an Atlanta security guard at an Atlanta apartment complex, accused of shooting a 28-year-old man visiting the apartment in the face.
The man was allegedly at the apartment building to drop off medication for his aunt, who lived in the complex.

The off-duty officer deemed the man “suspicious,” and fired his weapon, shooting the man in the face as he sat in his car. The bullet lodged in the man's face, shattered his jaw, and sent him to the hospital for three weeks. The officer is on paid leave, and the case is under investigation. No drugs or weapons were found.

The Differences Between Police Officers And Atlanta Security Guards
There are similarities between police officers and security guards. Police officers and armed security guards carry weapons. Police officers have arrest powers; guards have arrest powers as private citizens. Both are licensed by the state of Georgia. Security guards and police officers protect and serve.

Yet, when it comes to hiring police officers as security guards, police training can be an asset or a liability to a security company. That's because police officers are trained to react differently during hostile situations. A police officer is trained to act like a police officer 24 hours a day – even when he is working as a security guard at your security company.

That police training can be effective as a security guard, but, as illustrated in the story above, it is not effective at all times. A police officer typically is trained to respond one way – with force – based on the situations they deal with on a daily basis. A security guard, on the other hand, is often trained to be more customer-service oriented and may react differently to hostile situations.

Typically security guards are trained to rely on police for assistance and use their weapons as a last resort. Had the Atlanta police officer acted like he was an Atlanta security guard, instead of a police officer, the man might have not been shot.

Police Can Make Excellent Security Guards
This is not to say that police officers should not be hired at security companies. Police officers are well-trained, know the law, and are used to handling high-pressure situations on a regular basis.

But, security companies should not believe that hiring police officers as security guards are a one-sized fits all solution; just because a police officer wants to be a security office doesn't mean they are appropriate for the job at your security company.

And as with any employee carrying a weapon and acting as a security guard, background checks must conducted, as well as behavioral tests to ensure that they are the right fit for your security company. Hiring police officers as Atlanta security guards can be the right thing to do, but make sure the Atlanta security guard fits your needs.

Darrell Mercer is president and CEO of Mercer Protection Agency LLC in Alpharetta, Georgia, a leading provider of Atlanta security guards. Mercer Protection Agency offers armed/unarmed security officers and supervisors; executive protection; asset protection; event security; patrol services; residential security for apartments and subdivisions; and commercial security for businesses. It is licensed, bonded and insured security company in Atlanta.