Many construction company managers seek out a third-party security guard service to protect their project sites. There are benefits to this construction site security solution, but guards can be expensive liabilities, especially when they aren’t doing what they are supposed to.
Canadian Security Guard Charged with Manslaughter
A private security guard was charged with manslaughter and robbery for attacking and robbing a man. Edmonton Police said the victim died from blunt abdominal trauma. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.
An Edmonton resident said this homicide could have been avoided if police had taken his complaint about the guard seriously. According to the resident, the guard in question attacked him two years prior while he was trying to buy a bag of chips at a local convenience store. The guard accused him of stealing the chips and began punching him. The resident said the assault left him with a crushed disk in his back. He filed a police report and pursued charges for two months, but was told there was not enough evidence to sustain a case.
Security Guard Standards
There are no federal training standards for armed security guards. Some have had experience as police officers, but many lack adequate law enforcement training. Some companies hire guards with the hope that these individuals will learn the skills they need on the job. As a result, they may not be properly equipped to handle an escalated situation.
What would happen to a guard when faced with an aggressive person of interest?
A Toronto woman is facing numerous charges for slashing a security guard on the neck and arm with a razor in front of the U.S. consulate in downtown Toronto. The Toronto Police, who received a call about a woman yelling, screaming and being verbally aggressive, said that the suspect was being charged with attempted murder, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and aggravated assault.
The security guard was treated for his injuries and released.
A Safer, More Cost-Effective Alternative
As technology continues to become more effective, efficient, and less expensive, more and more construction companies are augmenting or replacing traditional security guards with live remote video monitoring. Remote video monitoring is the ability to view on-site security cameras and other related equipment off-site, from a safe distance. ECAM’s 24/7 live monitoring utilizes state-of-the-art video analytics and offers all the fundamental advantages of a security guard and more.
