Tips, Tools & Tactics February 2026 Vol. 8

What to Know. What to Watch. What Makes you Better on Post.

Shift Brief: This Month’s Reality

The world of security is ever-changing, fueled by public sentiment, the economy, the weather, and shifting tides we can’t control. Some of the trends we are seeing right now include:

• Increased loitering and emerging patterns
• More sophisticated, coordinated retail theft
• Increases in workplace violence
• Complex event security challenges

The need for extra vigilance, increased reliance on electronic surveillance and AI detection, and a renewed focus on teamwork are among the strategies guards must rely on to ensure peak performance.

This month’s tips are curated to align with these emerging concerns.  As always, we encourage your feedback and ideas about the topics that concern you most.

1. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: A REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE

What would you do?

On post at an office building, a guard notices a delivery driver parked near a side entrance – nowhere near the loading dock typically used for deliveries. The driver looks nervous and is wearing a bulky uniform jacket, despite the summer heat.

What went right:

• The guard noticed abnormal behavior.
• The driver was denied entry while the guard contacted the supposed recipient.
• During the exchange, the guard communicated calmly, using professional, non-confrontational spoken and body language.
• The driver was unable to provide identification and left immediately when the guard told him he was calling the police.

What could have gone wrong:

•  If situational awareness was low, the guard may have assumed the driver was legit because of his uniform.
• If the guard was distracted by his phone or a computer screen, they may have missed the initial cues.
• By ignoring their intuition, they may not have identified a threat until it was too late.

Takeaways

•                Notice small changes in the environment. A truck parked in the wrong spot, an inappropriate uniform, and odd behavior should indicate something is off.
•               Always be alert to your surroundings and move from “white” to “yellow” as soon as something triggers your awareness.
•               Don’t ignore your gut feeling, as it’s one of the most critical aspects of identifying threats.

2. Knowing Your Limits Is Part of the Job

Understanding the limits of your authority is crucial to protecting you and your employer from legal action. Here are a few points common to most states:

Use of force boundaries

•               You may only use as much force as is reasonably necessary.
•               Match the force to the threat proportionally.
•               Excessive force is a chargeable offence, even if the individual was committing             an offense.
•              Lethal force is never justified to protect property.
•              Understand your company’s policies, as those rules may extend beyond state            or federal jurisdiction.

Access our Use of Force training module here.

Detention vs. arrest

Detention is a temporary hold. You have limited authority to detain someone without arrest. A citizen’s arrest is allowable if you catch someone in the act or have reason to believe they have committed an offense. You MUST call the police immediately and hand them over to law enforcement when they arrive.

Trespass authority

You have the legal authority to ask a trespasser to leave the premises or revoke their permission to be there. You may use reasonable force to remove them, but legally, it’s preferable to call law enforcement if the situation looks like it might become physical.

Documentation

Accurate documentation protects you, not just the company. Keep your reports concise and objective. Focus on the facts and avoid allowing personal bias to enter the picture. Clearly list the sequence of events and recount everything that was said. Bodycams and audio recordings provide excellent recall in the heat of the moment.

3. From “Just a Guard” to Go-To Guard

Security work is changing rapidly, and with new technologies and techniques in high demand, there’s an opportunity for guards to stand out and secure better positions through training and upskilling. But where do you start?

Skills worth having (that can be trained for) include the following:

•               Emergency management and response
•               Basic and emergency first aid
•               Narcan administration
•              Safety and fire watch
•              Crowd management and control
•               Crisis intervention

Access on-demand training for the above skills at Defencify.

You might also consider these recognized certifications, as they have growing appeal with a certain caliber of client:

•         Drone operator license
•         Hospital security officer certification
•         Certified protection officer

Good communication and soft skills also help guards to stand out with supervisors and clients. Happy clients raise the firm’s status, and your skills will be in high demand if you become known as trustworthy and professional.

If you intend to make security your career, avoid these mistakes, as they can quietly hurt your reputation:

•          Poor posture and body language
•         Sloppy uniform and hygiene
•         On your phone too much
•          Being out of sight or failing to make your rounds
•          Being too familiar with clients or the public
•         Profanity or aggressive behavior
•         Treating minor incidents as insignificant
•          Chronic lateness or calling in
•         Insubordinate behavior (failing to follow orders)
•          Sharing confidential information inappropriately

Keep it professional, be self-aware, and show up with your best self each day.

4, What Guards Should Know at Tax Time

Just because your employer takes taxes out of your paycheck doesn’t mean you can’t write off work-related expenses. Anything you use for work that your employer does not reimburse is eligible. Be sure to keep receipts and jot down any relevant notes in case your accountant asks.

Here are a few things you can legally deduct:

•              Training courses and certifications

•             License fees
•             Meals while on the job or for business purposes
•             Parking, tolls, and other vehicle expenses related to your job
•            Security equipment (flashlights, batteries, high-vis gear, etc.)
•            Dry cleaning costs
•            Uniform expenses, including shoes or work boots
•             Travel costs for training or work purposes
•            Phone and data costs (if you use your phone for work purposes)
•             Overtime (eligible for federal deductions to a maximum exemption of $12,500            for single individuals)[1]

Speak to your tax advisor about new tax rules and find out what’s possible.

5. Five-Minute Drills That Actually Help

Keeping your radar up is crucial on post. These quick mental exercises stimulate your brain and can easily be done on your break or anytime to reinforce decision-making under pressure.

The “what if” scenario

Choose a specific area in your current location, like the main entryway or lobby. Imagine there is an imminent emergency, such as a medical emergency, a fire, or another active threat. Where are the nearest exits? Where is the closest fire extinguisher? Is there an AED, and where is it located? Who should be the first to be evacuated?

Spot the difference

Walk through your posted area periodically during your shift and note anything that has changed since you clocked in. Doors closed that were previously open, a new car in the parking lot, or a package left on a desk are just a few examples.

5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise

This drill engages all five senses and keeps you in the present moment: note five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.

Keep your mind and body active, and you’ll always be at your best!

Next Month’s Watch List

Tune in next month for a preparedness primer. We’ll dive deep into seasonal crime trends, event surges, and weather-related security issues to expect as the days grow warmer.