Unarmed Security Guard Services

When Unarmed Officers Are the Right Fit

Most retail stores, offices and residential buildings are well served by unarmed officers. A trained, professional officer at the entrance deters most theft, supports staff and gives visitors a sense of safety without changing the feel of the space. Unarmed coverage also costs less, and the licensing and insurance requirements are simpler.

For luxury boutiques, MGP generally recommends unarmed officers focused on deterrence and client service.

What Unarmed Officers Do

• Access control and visitor screening at entrances and lobbies
• Sales floor presence and loss prevention support
• Patrols of the site, parking areas and back-of-house
• Concierge and front desk security for corporate and residential buildings
• Incident and daily activity reports in one format for every location

Officer Classifications

Unarmed posts are staffed with Tier I officers (state-issued security license, site-specific field training) or Tier II officers (3+ years of experience, plus active shooter and de-escalation training) for selling floors, loss prevention support, corporate lobbies and concierge posts. See the Officer Classification Program.

Licensing

Unarmed officer requirements, such as a guard card, registration and training hours, are set by each state, province or country. Each location page lists the local requirements, and MGP verifies every officer’s license and training before assignment.

Officers summon law enforcement rather than intervene physically, except where both the law and the Post Orders for that assignment authorize otherwise. See also Armed Security Guard Services and Armed vs. Unarmed Security Officers for Retail.