Focusing On Security

Reasons That Showing Up To Your Security Shift Early Is A Good Idea

11 November 2018

Charlie Fuller

Getting to work early is a good idea regardless of the type of work that you do, but it's impossible to understate the value of being early when you're a security officer. Security guards frequently work in shifts, often with little overlap from one shift to another. For example, you might work from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., with your replacement coming in to work at 8 a.m. when you conclude your shift. While there's no set amount of time that you should be early for each shift, you should make being early a part of your daily routine. In addition to boosting the view that your employer has of you, here are some other advantages of earliness.

A Better Chance For Briefing

You don't want to simply pass by the security officer who is leaving as you begin your shift. A big part of being an effective security officer is communicating with his or her peers, so getting to work early allows you some time to have the other officer brief you. He or she can alert you to any issues that came up during his or her shift, which can help you to be more prepared for things that you may encounter. For example, if the other officer was actively investigating something, you getting to work early allows you to be brought up to speed before the investigation falls into your lap.

An Opportunity To Tour The Area

Depending on the type of security services that you provide, you might spend virtually all of your shift sitting in a booth or office. Doing so is important, but it doesn't give you the ability to physically walk around to note any issues about the areas that you're monitoring via security camera. When you choose to get to work early, you can use this time for taking a tour of the area for which you're responsible. You may notice concerns that you might not have seen by camera, and you can then take the appropriate steps to deal with them.

Not Allowing A Lapse In Security

Seasoned criminals will often survey potential target areas to identify weaknesses. Sometimes, the easiest way to infiltrate a secure area is to do so on a shift change. The first security officer might be eager to leave and thus has let his or her guard down, while the replacement could be a few minutes late — thus allowing for an easy opportunity to commit a crime. When you arrive early for your shift, you're ensuring that there's no lapse in security between your shift and the shift of the officer you're replacing.

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