From Chaos to Control: The Power of Training in Workplace Violence Preparedness

Active shooters, workplace disputes, and assaults are on the rise. Clients demand guards who know how to respond and can do so safely and confidently. Unfortunately, despite the imminence of this concerning trend, most guards still receive only the bare minimum state training, which could put people, property, and the guard firm at risk. 

Why Incident Preparedness Matters More Than Ever

Some of the most extreme examples of workplace violence have been headline-making news, such as the Charlie Kirk assassination in Utah, the shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO in NYC, and the hostage incident and shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania. These are just a few high-profile examples; there are many more.

Private industry, government offices, healthcare institutions, and schools are among the most targeted, and it’s no secret to security firms as they must ensure adequate liability coverage based on the location’s risk level. 

Statistically, it would seem the frequency of violent acts is decreasing, but it’s challenging to quantify the numbers for various reasons. The Bureau of Statistics has not updated its numbers since 2023 and has recently revised its classification criteria, making it difficult to compare data with past years (source).  

Numbers aside, security guards are on the front lines of many of these incidents, and there is much at stake. Whereas a front desk security position in an office building may have been viewed as a low-key role in the past, there is considerable evidence to support the notion of heightened risk in these environments. Guards who are ill-prepared to respond to workplace violence may be putting themselves and their firms at risk, not to mention the potential for significant harm to be done to the intended target of the violence.

 So, what’s at stake? The most obvious risk would be to the physical safety of the guard and the public. However, the security company’s reputation and liability are also at risk. If an investigation reveals that the guard was even partly at fault for an injury or fatality, the firm will likely face litigation. 

Frequent incidents of this sort sully a firm’s reputation (not to mention the impact on the bottom line), eroding client trust and establishing barriers to recruiting. Without good clients and guards, continuity is at risk, and the company is bound to fail.  

Security guards today need more than just the minimum training. They need real-world readiness to prepare them for worst-case scenarios.

The Gap in Current Training

Guard training currently lacks a national standard. In light of mounting violence and the general tension that pervades society today, we’d warrant that it’s sorely needed. But here we are. 

State-mandated guard training (in states that require it, not all do) often focuses on compliance and lacks specific mandates regarding crisis response. 

The training guards receive during the licensing phase includes observation, reporting, legal responsibilities and limitations, as well as theoretical training on the use of force. Classroom training may provide hands-on role-playing to give guards firsthand experience in these matters, but often it falls to the employer to provide this.

For guards to be adequately prepared for violence and other highly charged situations, training in de-escalation, crisis intervention, proper use of force, emergency response, basic first aid, and situational awareness is recommended. These types of training may be the difference between a costly and injurious incident and a peaceful resolution. 

In our opinion, guard certification alone is insufficient. A guard card is a fundamental certification, but it does not guarantee preparedness for some of the extreme, high-risk situations we are seeing today.

What Real Preparedness Looks Like

Effective workplace violence and incident training can make the difference between chaos and control. Well-trained guards are confident in their abilities and will respond promptly and effectively. That reduction in response time can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. 

Core components of workplace incident training should include:

Situational awareness and threat recognition

Guards must be able to recognize and discern between typical and atypical behavior in their work environment. Loitering, nervousness, staking out, or surveilling an area can indicate criminal or malicious intent. Maintaining vigilance on the job is essential to ensure no small details are missed.

De-escalation and communication skills

Not all situations are cut-and-dried. Guards must learn to combine active listening, empathy, and physical cues, such as maintaining eye contact, using body language, and employing a calm, steady, and neutral tone, to prevent the situation from escalating.

Active shooter and emergency response drills

Situational training for active shooter incidents can take various forms. Tabletop exercises are discussion-based, whereas live simulations replicate incidents in a controlled environment (and sometimes in virtual reality).

Frequent drills help guards become more comfortable with protocols and response techniques, allowing instructors or superiors to pinpoint areas for improvement.

ALICE training is an example of a technique used to train security personnel. ALICE is an acronym:

·         ALERT – recognizes signs of trouble using personal observation and reporting mechanisms. 

·         LOCKDOWN – guards learn lockdown techniques to barricade or fortify an area.

·         INFORM – information is relayed to stakeholders in real-time to support decision-making.

·         COUNTER – interrupting the perpetrator’s focus using movement and distraction (often a last resort technique as it puts the guard at risk).

·         EVACUATE – guiding people to exit the building or move them to a safe place. 

Team coordination with law enforcement and management

Guards are trained to secure the immediate area, initiate lockdown procedures, and inform law enforcement. Coordination involves relaying information, using appropriate or available technology, liaising with first responders, and post-incident debriefing and reporting.

Guards adequately trained on these skills will always be better prepared to respond in the event of a violent incident.

The Benefits of Training for Guards and Employers

For guards, the benefits of training are evident in improved confidence and the ability to gain the trust of employers and clients. Guards who demonstrate focus and dependability will be well-positioned for career advancement, higher wages, and more desirable assignments. 

A commitment to ongoing learning also demonstrates a level of dedication that sets guards apart from their peers, leading to better job offers and exciting career pathways. 

For employers, prepared guards protect more than people; they protect your brand. Incident preparedness means reduced liability for the firm, improved client satisfaction, and a stronger reputation in the industry, which may support higher fees.

Train Smart, Stay Ready

Don’t wait for a crisis to test your guards’ skills. Preparedness training prepares your force for critical incidents when every moment matters. 

Explore Defencify’s continuing education courses or consider building your own program using the  Academy Architect to establish standardized guard training for your teams.