Page 29 - Campus Security & Life Safety, March/April 2022

“Among the most important responsibilities are maintaining a visible presence and building trust. Another important responsibility includes touring the campus frequently. High-risk areas that have been identified—such as locker rooms, bathrooms, isolated hallways or stairways, portable classrooms, playing fields, other out-buildings, and/or isolated areas of the building grounds—are potential trouble spots.”
presented below will assist you in learning the roles, duties and responsibilities of school security personnel and assist the administration in supervising their activities.
Among the most important responsibilities are maintaining a visible presence and building trust. Officers should maintain professionalism at all times, being friendly and impartial, but fair to all without judgment. Effective officers understand the nuances of the job and are capable of reacting at any moment to unpredictable
events.
Another important responsibility includes touring the campus
frequently. High-risk areas that have been identified—such as locker rooms, bathrooms, isolated hallways or stairways, portable classrooms, playing fields, other out-buildings, and/or isolated areas of the building grounds—are potential trouble spots. By varying the route, it creates unpredictability, thus strengthening the School Security Officer’s effectiveness. Checking doors and windows for good repair and noting any security breaches on campus, as well as providing security during athletic and other after-school activities, are vital. Officers identify and plan for hazards in the parking lots and other areas of the campus, as well.
Being present at a variety of events is another effective deterrent to warding off potential problems. Officers should be visible during student lunches, breaks, assemblies, and passing periods between classes. This helps reduce problems during times when students are more likely to congregate.
Officers establish contact with students and enforce school rules. Determining those who have legitimate business from intruders who may be intent on causing harm or disruption is of paramount importance. Regular communication from office staff and educators keeps the officers current with the pulse of what is going on in the school. Officers also brief school personnel on current security concerns and trends.
An essential responsibility is writing incident reports in a way that is consistent with the methodology established by the school/district security department. These reports document action taken during and after an incident or crisis. Photographs further detailing the incident are often included in the report. This helps protect all involved: the district, officer, staff, and students.
The security department frequently works with law enforcement and fire departments to establish sound safety and security practices. Additionally, they provide security-related training to all school staff, students, and parents. If district and judicial proceedings are needed, officers provide testimony as directed by the security supervisor or the court. This is one of the crucial reasons why good report writing is invaluable.
Patrol Procedures
Patrol procedures outline the responsibilities and duties of the security personnel. Patrol procedure will be determined by the security department policy and the job description. Need for patrol function can change daily and can be very unpredictable. There is no such thing as “routine patrol.” As a School Security Officer, you must be prepared to respond with the knowledge, skills, equipment, and ability to handle all security-related situations.
Know Your District!
• Know the building you work in
• Know the other buildings in your district • Know the surrounding property
• Know what others do
• Know your students
• Know your staff
MARCH/APRIL 2022 | campuslifesecurity.com 29
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